Hawaii reception exceeded Rams’ expectations

The Los Angeles Rams’ expectations were “blown away” by the reception in Honolulu for their preseason game Saturday with the Dallas Cowboys and hope to return in some form in the future, the team’s top executive said.

“Seeing the pictures of people tailgating in the middle of the street (outside Aloha Stadium) at 7 a.m. is proof, I think, of what kind of a market it is,” said Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer and executive vice president of football operations. “The passion for NFL football and the reception throughout has been gratifying.”

Demoff said, “From the moment we stepped off the plane (Thursday) it has been great. It is like the Rams fans, Cowboys fans and the NFL fans in general have united, the whole community.”

Whether it is playing here again as a visiting team, holding a camp here or returning for clinics and community events, Demoiff said, “We’re excited to continue coming here to build the Rams brand and make Hawaii Rams Country.”

The Rams move into their $5.2 billion home, Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District, in 2020, which precludes a return to Aloha Stadium as the home team. But Demoff said, “We would very much like the chance to come back as a visiting team. That would require somebody else taking the lead on moving a home game. But, I think other teams will look at this as not only a chance to play in front of a great atmosphere but great for team bond building.”

Demoff said, “I think as soon as the game sold out (then) other teams started to take notice. I think that was the first indicator that, maybe, this is a great opportunity and you can certainly see that other teams are going to study what happened here. We’ll share (information) with them and the NFL as well, what a passionate market this is and, hopefully, games will continue to come here.”