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Celebrations turn 'violent and destructive' in Super Bowl 'disgrace'

Andrew Reid
·5-min read
Pictured here, police lining the streets of downtown Los Angeles to deal with wild Super Bowl celebrations.
Police lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles after Super Bowl celebrations turned chaotic. Pic: AAP

Super Bowl celebrations descended into chaos in Los Angeles, with police reporting "violent and destructive behaviour by large crowds" after the Rams' 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cooper Kupp's late one-yard touchdown from a Matthew Stafford pass with 1:25 remaining snatched a thrilling victory for Los Angeles.

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The dramatic finish saw the Rams clinch just their second-ever Super Bowl title - but first since the team was based in LA - having previously won it as St Louis in 1999.

For long-suffering LA fans, the joy soon turned to carnage as thousands of supporters took to the streets in celebration.

Videos and images of fans dancing on buses, setting off fireworks, looting shops and clashing with police flooded social media.

Seen here, police officers take position to disperse LA Rams fans in downtown Los Angeles after the Rams' Super Bowl win.
Police officers take position to disperse LA Rams fans in downtown Los Angeles after the Rams' Super Bowl win over the Bengals. Pic: Getty (APU GOMES via Getty Images)

“We are seeing violent and destructive behaviour by large crowds in the heart of the Downtown LA area,” the LAPD wrote on Twitter.

“We have issued several dispersal orders and have a large police presence. Everyone that is part of those crowds, obey all dispersal orders and clear the streets immediately.”

The LAPD later tweeted that unruly crowds members "involved in criminal activity, and those failing to obey dispersal orders, are subject to arrest.”

The police warning came as a flood of images of the wild celebrations began circulating on social media.

Los Angeles Times reporter Kevin Rector posted a series of threads showing the chaos, including a shirtless man climbing traffic lights and fans taunting police by throwing glass bottles and projectiles in the streets.

Fox LA anchor Marla Tellez also captured footage of a group of fans hopping onto the roof a taxi, with one man picking up a nearby parking cone and smacking the roof of the vehicle with it.

Fans were also filmed spray-painting a metro bus with the word “Rams” across it while other stood on top of the vehicle that had passengers inside.

Unruly crowds were also seen looting local shops in downtown LA as police tried to get the chaos under control.

LA Rams stars in tears after Super Bowl win

For two of the Los Angeles Rams' biggest stars, the Super Bowl victory was a cathartic moment.

Aaron Donald and Odell Beckham Jr. have been among the game's best players for years but prior to Monday, each had one gaping hole on their resume — a Super Bowl ring.

Now, thanks in part to big plays from both, they're Super Bowl champions.

Donald clinches win, breaks down postgame

The Rams trailed the Cincinnati Bengals 20-13 in the second half. But they rallied for the game's final 10 points including a touchdown pass from Stafford to Super Bowl MVP Kupp with 1:25 left on the game clock.

Moments later, Donald was on the field being showered with yellow, white and blue confetti while speaking with NBC's Michele Tafoya. His emotions overflowed in the form of tears.

"I'm just so happy. I wanted this so bad," Donald said. "I dreamed this, man. I dreamed this, and it's surreal — look at this! Look at this, man. I feel amazing. I feel amazing. I feel great. ...

"This is the best feeling in the world. God is great. God is great. I don't what to say. I don't know what to say. This is a blessing."

Beckham, meanwhile, didn't get the interview treatment immediately after the game. But the cameras found him regardless. He too was overcome with emotion.

Beckham's journey to Super Bowl champion was a sometimes arduous one, with many heaping the failures of the Cleveland Browns offense upon him as his production waned alongside Baker Mayfield in two-plus seasons with the franchise. But since he was released by the Browns midseason, he's re-emerged as one of the NFL's most potent weapons as a member of the Rams.

On Monday, he hauled in a 17-yard pass from Stafford for the game's first touchdown. Unfortunately for Beckham, he didn't get to finish the game after sustaining an as-yet-diagnosed knee injury before halftime.

with agencies

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