Los Angeles

Rams, Chargers Sponsor Venice Pride Event, an NFL First

The Rams signed on as a sponsor in May, becoming the first-ever NFL team to sponsor a pride event.

The Los Angeles Chargers have joined the Rams in making history by being the first NFL teams to officially sponsor an LGBTQ pride event.

Both teams will sponsor a letter of the VENICE sign that will illuminate in rainbow-colored lights as a symbol of inclusion at this weekend's west Los Angeles pride event.

The Rams signed on as a sponsor in May, becoming the first-ever NFL team to sponsor a pride event.

"We are proud to work with Venice Pride and to stand in alignment with the LGBT community that is such an important part of the fabric of Los Angeles," Rams vice president of affairs Molly Higgins said in a news release. "Inclusion has always been a valued part of our organization and we see this as a unique way to publicly celebrate the diversity that makes this community so special."

The team has adopted 14 blue lights in the letter "C" of the sign, which was officially lit at Friday's ceremony and block party.

The Rams have made history of making steps toward diversity. The Los Angeles Times reports in 1946, they signed on Kenny Washington, who became the first African American NFL player in the modern era. Most recently, in 2014, they signed on Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted.

The Chargers joined the Rams as the second NFL team to sponsor Venice Pride. They are sponsoring the letter yellow "N" of the sign.

Venice Pride will conclude its two-day celebration Saturday with a festival at Muscle beach. 

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