Rams Coach Sean McVay Shares Realization After Meeting Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay had quite the Thursday night on the job.
McVay's Rams improved to 8-7 on the season with a critical 30-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints (7-8) inside SoFi Stadium, bettering their playoff odds while earning their fifth win in six tries since returning from the bye week.
After the game, McVay's night became even better - as newly signed Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani made an appearance in the Rams' locker room.
Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani (left) shakes hands with Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage at SoFi Stadium.
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
McVay briefly conversed with the $700 million baseball sensation - and later shared his initial reaction to seeing the 6-4, 210-pound Ohtani in person.
"Hey, he could do whatever he wants," McVay said Friday. "He is always welcome. It was cool to be able to have him. I didn't realize how big he was. He had a great way about himself. It was really cool to be able to meet him."
Here's a look at Ohtani greeting Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford before speaking with McVay ...
Ohtani, who's won MVP twice in the last three years with the Los Angeles Angels, agreed to a 10-year contract with the Dodgers on Dec. 9, opting to stay in L.A. after six seasons in Anaheim.
The 29-year-old was joined Thursday night by fellow Japanese superstar and newest Dodgers mega-contract recipient Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with news breaking of Yamamoto's decision to sign with the Dodgers coming some 10 minutes after the Rams' victory.
All of this made for an enjoyable Thursday for McVay, who asserted the pleasure of seeing Ohtani and extended an open invitation whenever he wants to return to SoFi Stadium.
"I'm a fan of (Ohtani's) and I'm a huge fan of Dave Roberts, and so I know how jacked up he is to be able to have him on the squad," McVay said. "And so that was really cool. And I know a lot of the guys got a chance to meet him.
"So, he is welcome anytime for however, we can take care of him."
The Rams will get the weekend off before returning to action next Sunday, Dec. 31, against the New York Giants. Kickoff inside MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST.
