Former Los Angeles Rams RB Eric Dickerson: L.A. is where they belong

Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson is pleased his former team is returning to California.

Former Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson is pleased his former team is returning to California, he toldNFL Total Access on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, NFL owners voted 30–2 in favor of the Rams relocating from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The San Diego Chargers have the option of joining them in a shared stadium in Inglewood, Calif., located about an hour outside of Los Angeles.

“I think it’s great to have the Rams back in Los Angeles,” Dickerson said. “Not having football in L.A. has been missed for the past 20 years, for sure. I do feel bad for St. Louis. ...(The Rams) did win a Super Bowl in St. Louis, something they didn’t do in Los Angeles.”

• Rams are relocating to Los Angeles; Chargers have the option to join

Dickerson played for the Rams from 1983 to ’87, and led the team in rushing yards in three of his four full seasons in Los Angeles. He finished his career with 13,259 rushing yards, which ranks seventh all-time, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 after 11 NFL seasons.

“The Rams are the Rams no matter where they are,” Dickerson said. “That’s why I said I would support the Rams wherever they go to. To me, this is where they should be—back in Los Angeles.

“Everybody loves football and they can’t wait for the season start, (and to now) have a team back in L.A. I think the team that really should have never left is the L.A. Rams. Being back at home, I think it’s a perfect fit.”

• KING: Rams back in Los Angeles: Inside the vote

The Inglewood stadium is projected to open in 2019. The Memorial Coliseum, StubHub Center, Dodgers Stadium and Angels Stadium have all been mentioned as possible temporary homes until the permanent stadium is constructed.

- Erin Flynn