WATTS – In the heart of Nickerson Gardens, the largest public housing development west of the Mississippi, a new 60-yard turf football field is now a beacon of hope for its residents.

The Los Angeles Rams donated this field, previously showcased during the 2024 NFL Draft in Hermosa Beach, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles to provide a safe space for local youth to engage in sports and community activities.

For residents like Vi’Angelo Boyd, the field represents more than just a place to play.

“People in the projects don’t have this, so it really makes the community look better,” Boyd said. 

The Rams initiative addresses the scarcity of green spaces in communities like Watts, offering youth opportunities to develop teamwork and leadership skills.

Rams safety Quentin Lake, who took part in the field’s unveiling and led a flag football clinic, emphasized the broader impact of such efforts.

“The game of football is bigger than the players and the team. It’s not just the Rams; it’s the Rams House; it’s everybody here,” Lake said. “I’m so happy to show these kids that with hard work and effort, they could be in the same position as me.” 

This donation is part of the Rams’ ongoing commitment to the Watts community, which includes programs like the Watts Rams, a coed youth football team coached by Los Angeles Police Department officers.

Such initiatives aim to bridge gaps between law enforcement and local youth, fostering trust and mentorship. 

For Boyd and many others in Nickerson Gardens, the new field symbolizes a chance to rise above the challenges of their environment.

“You want to be somebody in your life and move out of these projects,” Boyd said, highlighting the field’s role in inspiring aspirations beyond the confines of the housing development.