As part of last weekend's kickoff to the 2017 Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer campaign, the Rams dedicated their contest against the Seahawks as their "Crucial Catch" game. This year, the National Football League and the American Cancer Society (ACS) expanded their efforts to support the fight against cancer by addressing early detection and risk reduction efforts for all cancers.

To bring additional attention to the effort, the below 12 players, who have a personal connection to cancer, were allowed to wear cleats and wristbands in the color representing the cancer that impacted their life.

The Rams Foundation and players including Derek Carrier, Blake Countess, Cody Davis, Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, John Johnson, Trumaine Johnson and Sammy Watkins also joined forces to make a charitable donation to American Cancer Society based on the number of receptions and interceptions during the "Crucial Catch" game. With 22 receptions and two interceptions, the Rams will make a $35,400 donation to American Cancer Society to support the fight against cancer. 

Additional game day support included the team recognizing 100 fans - who have fought or are currently battling cancer - in the end zone as the players took the field. The team also hosted a variety of non-profits and the cancer patients and families they serve. A few of the non-profits in attendance were the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish and the Padres Contra El Cancer. Furthermore, volunteers from Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) were positioned outside the Coliseum passing out pink breast cancer awareness ribbons to fans as they entered into the stadium.

Since 2009, the league's A* **Crucial Catch* campaign has raised more than $18 million for the American Cancer Society (ACS). All Money raised through Crucial Catch supports the American Cancer Society's Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program. On Wednesday, October 11, the $50,000 CHANGE grant funded a free adult health screening event at Venice Family Clinic's Irma Colen Heath Center in Mar Vista.  The event was free to attend and open to the public. 

As part of this year's campaign, the NFL and ACS also recently launched a new, digital tool – THE DEFENDER – that provides consumers with personalized tips to reduce their cancer risk. The Defender, funded by the NFL and developed by ACS, analyzes user-input health information to provide individuals with quick, informative and personalized recommendations on how he or she can take action to reduce his or her cancer risk. More than 50% of all cancers can be prevented through simple lifestyle modifications, like avoiding tobacco, sun exposure, staying fit and healthy through proper nutrition and physical activity. The free user-friendly tool allows fans to take control of their health and increase their understanding of how healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce their cancer risk. Fans may access The Defender at TheDefender.cancer.org.