Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay traveled separately from the team for their game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 after coming down with an illness. He still coached the Rams to a win.
In Week 16, ahead of facing the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football,” McVay is dealing with a different kind of medical situation: the birth of his second child.
The Rams announced the news that has garnered national attention.
Rams HC Sean McVay Announces Birth of 2nd Child
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay congratulates his players against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Rams posted “LA Rams Transactions” on X on December 16, playfully announcing they had “Delivered Christian Alexander McVay.”
“Sean McVay and his wife, Veronika, welcomed their second son into the world after Sunday’s game,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted on X on December 16. “Christian McVay is the newest addition to the family.
“Quite a week for Sean to have to coach the game of his season on Thursday.”
The news captured attention nationally for the head coach and his wife, whose first child, Jordan, was born in 2023.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter riffed off the team’s announcement post, calling it “Sean McVay’s biggest move of the season.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted something similar, posting that baby McVay was a “key addition.”
McVay was effusive with praise for his wife during his postgame press conference.
“Obviously, we’re praying for a safe and healthy arrival of our second little boy. That’ll be awesome. My wife is a total stud,” McVay told reporters on December 14, offering his “respect.”
“Just watching and getting an up close and personal look at this, I could never do this stuff. But there’s a lot of love. There’s a lot of appreciation and a lot of gratitude. So, we’ll pray for a safe and healthy arrival.”
McVay, who went to the hospital for his son’s birth after the win in Week 15, also lauded his team.
“Here’s the thing: We talk about being present all the time,” McVay said. “I think this group did a great job being able to handle this first step of our weekly rhythm and our challenge.”
He admitted, though, that once his son was born, “I’ll be stressed out preparing for Seattle on a short week. But it’s good stress. So, our guys will be ready to go. It’s going to be a great challenge, and this is what you love about the NFL.”
Rams Face ‘Must-Win’ Game vs Seahawks
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts against the Carolina Panthers.
McVay’s stress is legitimate, with Atkins noting that the rematch against the Seahawks–whom the Rams defeated in Week 11–is a “must-win” contest on Thursday night.
The Seahawks enter this matchup on a four-game winning streak. Their last loss came against the Rams in Week 11. Notably, the Seahawks entered their first matchup against the Rams on an identical run.
The Rams have won two straight since their last loss, against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.
McVay and the Rams have already clinched a postseason berth. However, they can make that pursuit much more difficult for the Seahawks, who remain in contention for the NFC West crown.
The Rams and Seahawks have identical records, with their head-to-head matchup serving as the tie-breaker. A loss would put McVay and the Rams’ potential to have homefield advantage, a focal point coming into the season, in jeopardy.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams Make Major Announcement About Sean McVay Before ‘Thursday Night Football’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.