When you think of football teams making headlines, it's usually for touchdowns and championship rings. But the Los Angeles Rams are scoring in an entirely different arena, and the whole planet is cheering.

California Resources Corporation and the LA Rams have just wrapped up a phenomenal first year of their "Football Without the Footprint" partnership, and the results are nothing short of inspiring. This innovative collaboration has transformed how professional sports teams can approach sustainability, proving that environmental responsibility and athletic excellence can go hand in hand.

The numbers tell an incredible story. Through carefully crafted carbon management strategies, the partnership achieved a remarkable 54% reduction in upstream emissions compared to California averages. That's not just a statistic on paper. It represents cleaner air, healthier communities, and a tangible commitment to future generations.

What makes this initiative truly special is its comprehensive approach. For every away game flight the Rams took, CRC delivered MiQ-certified low-carbon crude oil certificates from local production, effectively offsetting the jet fuel consumed. Back at home facilities, the team's natural gas consumption was matched with locally produced low-carbon certificates that earned MiQ's most stringent Grade A rating for methane intensity, achieving an impressive less than 0.05% rating.

The partnership didn't stop at reducing emissions. It also included high-integrity carbon offsets from an industrial emissions avoidance project in Huntington Beach that permanently prevents oil and gas production. These credits received an "A.pre" rating from BeZero Carbon, an independent ratings agency, confirming their exceptional quality and very low execution risk.

Perhaps most heartwarming is the initiative's support for local ecosystems. By sourcing credits from a forestry project benefiting the Colorado River Basin, which provides more than a third of Southern California's drinking water, the partnership is literally helping to sustain the very communities that cheer for the Rams every Sunday.

Francisco Leon, CRC's President and CEO, captured the spirit perfectly: "The Rams are a fantastic partner, committed to supporting local, low-carbon solutions that directly benefit our shared community. This first year demonstrates that professional sports can lead the way in decarbonization while driving positive environmental and social impact."

Jason Griffiths, Senior Vice President of Partnerships for the Rams, expressed equal enthusiasm about the progress, emphasizing how the innovative solutions align with what fans and communities actually care about.

The Ripple Effect: This partnership represents far more than one team's carbon footprint. As the first NFL team in California to purchase locally sourced carbon credits, the Rams are setting a powerful precedent for professional sports nationwide. When a beloved institution like an NFL franchise commits to environmental leadership, it sends ripples through communities, inspiring fans, businesses, and other organizations to rethink their own environmental impact. The "Football Without the Footprint" initiative is also raising awareness about carbon management solutions, showing that sustainable choices don't require sacrifice. They require creativity, commitment, and collaboration. By choosing local, high-integrity environmental products, the Rams are proving that environmental stewardship can deliver meaningful benefits right in your own backyard, from cleaner energy production to watershed protection. This is football with purpose, touchdowns with impact, and a game plan that everyone can get behind.