Although Shohei Ohtani has kept out of the spotlight as much as he can, the newest Los Angeles Dodgers superstar made a trip to SoFi Stadium on Thursday to watch the Los Angeles Rams play a pivotal game against the New Orleans Saints.
A league source had confirmed to Daniel Starkand of DodgerBlue.com that the Rams were expecting Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to be among the professional athletes and celebrities in attendance, but plans changed that led to just Ohtani showing up. Ohtani had previously been on the Rams’ celebrity list for a home game as well, only to not attend.
Ohtani and Yamamoto share a friendship from their time playing on Team Japan, and were already together earlier this month when the Dodgers hosted the right-hander at Dodger Stadium.
As part of the visit to SoFi, Ohtani was gifted a custom Rams home jersey with his No. 17 on it, and of course became the center of attention with Rams players coming up to greet him.
ramSHOuse! pic.twitter.com/jCNGrN0heI
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani has arrived at SoFi 🔥 @RamsNFL#NOvsLAR – 8pm ET on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/w4kd69VEhT— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
There are stars that come to every game in L.A. but I’ve never seen the buzz surrounding one like it is with Shohei Ohtani here on the field before Rams-Saints. Rams WR Ben Skowronek had to come say hello. pic.twitter.com/EVghA4Z5B5
— Shawn Kopelakis (@shawn_kopelakis) December 22, 2023
For @Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's next Sho: @NFL quarterback. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MDpSmKaLnC
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 22, 2023
Can’t spell #RamsHouse without Sho. 😏 pic.twitter.com/0rMM7DcJvJ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
17 got a new jersey and everything. @RamsNFL#NOvsLAR – 8pm ET on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2tP8Ns9X1R— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani, big Rams guy. pic.twitter.com/Jec2vHLPwD
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani 🤝 Rams pic.twitter.com/YPbhQI8Ho3
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
Got one with your name on it too, Yoshinobu. pic.twitter.com/7xr0ds7RDE
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
Both teams entered the game with a record of 7-7 as the Rams proceeded to put on a good show for Ohtani as they defeated the Saints 30-22 in a pivotal matchup with the playoffs just weeks away.
Following the victory, Ohtani went into the Rams clubhouse, where he talked with head coach Sean McVay and some of the players.
Ohtani was also previously at Crypto.com Arena, more well known as the Staples Center, to take in a Lakers game as he tours some of the other professional sports teams in L.A. following his switch from Anaheim.
It’s unclear if Ohtani will attend an L.A. Kings game as well, but the hockey club is hosting Dodgers Night on January 4, when they generally invite a player for the ceremonial puck drop.
Rams prepared Yoshinobu Yamamoto jersey for visit with Shohei Ohtani
With Yamamoto on the expected guest list, the Rams also had a jersey prepared to him, but he had other matters to attend to as it was reported during the game that the right-hander agreed to terms with the Dodgers.
After news broke, the Rams shared a video of the jersey they prepared for Yamamoto to help welcome him to Los Angeles.
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