BREAKING NEWS: DeMeco Ryans, head coach of the Houston Texans, has called for the NFL to ban or restrict Los Angeles Rams fans and their "bikini squad," claiming their behavior disrupts the game's psychology. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay fired back.

Posted September 8, 2025

Houston, TX – The NFL has been rocked by a fresh controversy as Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has publicly called for the league to ban or restrict Los Angeles Rams fans, specifically citing their so-called “bikini squad.”

Ryans claimed the group’s game-day presence goes beyond harmless fandom and instead “disrupts the psychology of the game.” His remarks quickly sparked headlines, fan debates, and a sharp rebuttal from Rams head coach Sean McVay.

DeMeco Ryans’ Explosive Comments

During a press conference ahead of Houston’s matchup with Los Angeles, Ryans did not shy away from expressing his frustrations.

“This isn’t just fans cheering,” Ryans said. “This is orchestrated distraction. The Rams’ bikini squad might draw attention for entertainment, but on the field, it crosses into psychological interference. The NFL has to take a look at this. Either restrict it or ban it.”

Ryans emphasized that his comments weren’t about limiting fan enthusiasm, but about ensuring a fair playing field where athletes aren’t subject to gimmicks or targeted distractions.

Sean McVay’s Response

Rams head coach Sean McVay wasted no time in defending his team’s supporters. Known for his measured yet passionate demeanor, McVay dismissed Ryans’ concerns outright.

“We love our fans, and we’re proud of the atmosphere at SoFi Stadium,” McVay said. “Calling for a ban because of how fans choose to express their support? That’s not football. That’s an excuse.”

McVay added that Rams fans bring energy and passion in unique ways and that the so-called bikini squad has been part of the team’s colorful game-day culture for years.

Fans Weigh In

As expected, Ryans’ comments set social media ablaze. The debate quickly polarized NFL fans across the country.

Supporters of Ryans wrote:

“He’s absolutely right. The NFL is about competition, not gimmicks. The Rams bikini squad is a psychological trick that shouldn’t be part of the game.”
“This isn’t sour grapes—it’s about fairness. Props to DeMeco for saying what others won’t.”

Rams fans clapped back fiercely:

“The bikini squad is part of our fan culture. If Texans players can’t focus, that’s their problem.”
“Sean McVay nailed it—stop whining and play football. Fans are supposed to be fun and wild.”

The hashtags #BikiniSquadBan and #RamsHouse quickly trended, with memes and heated takes spreading across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

NFL’s Silence

So far, the NFL has declined to comment on Ryans’ statements. League insiders suggest the chances of fan attire or groups being restricted are slim, unless the bikini squad engages in behavior deemed unsafe or explicitly offensive.

One league analyst noted:
“From the Bills Mafia’s tailgates to the Raiders’ Black Hole, the NFL thrives on unique fan cultures. Unless the Rams bikini squad crosses a very clear line, the league isn’t likely to intervene.”

Psychological Warfare or Passionate Fandom?

The controversy has raised a broader question: Where is the line between passionate fandom and unfair distraction?

For Ryans, the bikini squad represents a form of psychological warfare that shouldn’t exist in professional football. He argues that game-day environments should be about crowd noise and team pride, not engineered distractions.

But critics say the Texans coach is overreacting. After all, players have faced loud, rowdy, and creative fans for decades—from face paint and costumes to chants designed to rattle opponents.

Sports psychologists weigh in with mixed views. Some argue that visual distractions can indeed have an impact on player focus, while others insist elite athletes should be able to tune out anything happening beyond the sidelines.

A Rivalry in the Making?

While the Texans and Rams don’t share the deep-rooted rivalries of other NFL matchups, this controversy could spark new tension between the two franchises.

Ryans’ comments have now placed Houston at the center of a league-wide conversation about fan culture. Meanwhile, McVay’s sharp rebuttal ensures that the debate won’t end anytime soon—especially if the Texans and Rams meet again under high-stakes conditions.

Conclusion

DeMeco Ryans’ call to ban or restrict the Rams bikini squad has ignited one of the NFL’s most unusual controversies in recent memory. While some applaud him for speaking up about fairness and psychology, others dismiss his comments as a coach looking for excuses.

Sean McVay’s immediate defense of his fans only amplified the debate, further polarizing opinions and intensifying the spotlight on Los Angeles’ game-day culture.

Whether the NFL acts or not, one thing is certain: the next Texans–Rams matchup will be watched with more attention than ever before—not just for the action on the field, but for the drama in the stands.

Jalen Ramsey Compares 2025 Steelers to a Recent Super Bowl-Winning Team

New Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey is feeling bullish about Pittsburgh this season—so much so that he compared the unit to the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl in 2021-22.

Speaking on an episode of former Steeler Ryan Clark's The Pivot podcast released Tuesday, Ramsey was asked about the Steelers' concerted efforts this offseason to bring in Super Bowl-winning players (such as Ramsey himself), and how the corner sees himself fitting "into the equation."

"Definitely trying to help the guys get over the hump of, you know, the playoff win drought, but we got the right guys here already. You know what I'm saying?" he said. "I haven't even really thought about it in that way because I just know that like we got the right type of guys that can do it."

The seven-time Pro Bowler said that, when he was with the Rams, there was the same level of doubt about Matthew Stafford, who people said wasn't "winning playoff games and he ain't doing this and he ain't doing that."

"But as a team, we didn't worry about it cuz we knew what type of guy he was, and we had to put a lot of the other pieces together, and we did. And once we, you know, got in those moments, he shined and he showed who he was as well, as other guys who got their opportunity as well."

So it would seem he is saying that people are perhaps doubting Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh unit in the same way they doubted the Rams, who then proved the haters wrong with a Lombardi.

Then asked what he's seen from Aaron Rodgers to make him think the QB has "still got it," Ramsey lit up with more praise, at which point he compared the energy and standard Rodgers brings to the team to that of his time with L.A.

"The confidence that he brings that whole offense, like everybody around him wants to be great, and it's kind of like nobody wants to let him down," the corner continued. "The best teams that I've been on, that's been how the whole team is.

"When I was in LA, I didn't want to let [Aaron Donald] down. ... On the offensive side, our receivers did not want to let Matthew down. ... That's how I feel A-Rod is doing for the offense right now. And I feel that is probably the most important thing. ... Everybody wants to step up. Everybody wants to be great. And I think that's a big, important key in bringing all of it together."

There is a lot that has to happen between now and the end of the season for the Steelers to hold a candle to the Super Bowl-winning Rams, but it is encouraging to hear that Ramsey is feeling those same vibes. And to be fair, fans would probably be fine with just one of two playoff wins, anyway.