Exclusive | Inside the Rams secret shadow boxing league that is bringing the team together
Referees, ranked contenders, a leaderboard, and even a commissioner are overseeing the entire operation. Welcome to the Los Angeles Rams shadow boxing league, where the competition is fierce, the trash talk is plentiful and the bragging rights might be worth more than the championship itself. Oh, and at the center of it all is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who also happens to be the undisputed champion of the league. What initially started as a harmless way to kill some time between meetings has blossomed into a full-fledged locker room phenomenon, bringing players together during a season filled with injuries, adversity and enormous expectations. Rams linebacker Grant Stuard is the self-appointed commissioner, who has turned a childhood-style game into something resembling the UFC. “We thought it’d be cool to get some organization going and get a league started,” Stuard told the California Post in an exclusive interview Thursday.Stuard and teammate Matthew Caldwell helped establish a running leaderboard that now features a top 10, position-group rankings and honorable mentions.Even injured players have found their way onto the board.But at this point you’re probably asking yourself the same question we did: What exactly is shadow boxing?Despite its name, nobody is throwing any actual punches.Two players stand face-to-face.
One points up, down, left or right while the other simultaneously moves his head in a direction, hoping to avoid looking where his opponent points.If the movements match, the attacker scores.Players alternate turns, attempting to anticipate each other’s reactions and string together successful moves.It’s part reflexes, part mind games and entirely addictive.
Throughout the season, easily over half the Rams locker room has participated.And because NFL players apparently can’t compete at anything without turning it into its own organized sport, Stuard has established official rules.Ranked matches are best-of-t...