May 22, 2026, 5:30 p.m. PT
Moving to a new city is never easy, but moving from rural Tennessee and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the heart of Southern California is a different beast entirely. Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson is currently experiencing that massive shift firsthand, and he isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at his own expense.
During his introductory press conference with the Rams, Simpson jokingly described himself as a “redneck in Los Angeles.” In a conversation with Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, the rookie explained why.
“Well, I said that because I’m a kid from rural west Tennessee, in Martin, who grew up on just hunting and fishing, and wearing boots and jeans, and then coming to L.A., having a different lifestyle,” Simpson said. “Also, I went to Alabama, which is about as redneck as it gets, and then coming to L.A. was like a culture shock. I feel like I’m fitting in pretty good, but I still believe that I’m a redneck in L.A.”
There is a quintessential L.A. experience Simpson still has yet to endure as a resident: the infamous Southern California traffic. He doesn’t actually own a car yet, so the first-round pick has been relying on his own two feet and ride-sharing apps to get around.
“No. I actually don’t have a car, so I walk and Uber everywhere, but I haven’t had a chance to go through the freeway and things like that yet,” Simpson admitted. “But I’m kind of looking forward to it because I’ve heard it’s unreal.”
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That, more than anything, might be the biggest surprise for the Rams rookie.
