COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is fully rooting for the New England Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday, throwing shade toward his crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, while speaking at the Pro Bowl last week.
Even though the Patriots made quick work of the Chargers 41-28 in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on their way to the Super Bowl, Gordon is still backing New England.
"Patriots all day," Gordon told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Yeah, I don't want the Rams to win. I live in L.A., so y'all know -- I've got to hear that all day. Do you know how many Rams signs I see? I need them to lose -- I don't care where y'all put me on TV saying this -- I need them to lose."
The #Patriots knocked the #Chargers out of the playoffs.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 27, 2019
Doesn't matter. Melvin Gordon's still pulling for the Pats in the #SuperBowl. pic.twitter.com/I4RnRZK7OL
While Gordon and the Chargers had a good year under Anthony Lynn, finishing 12-4 in the regular season and defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round, the Bolts still have been overshadowed in their new home by the Rams.
The Chargers lost to the Rams 35-23 in Week 3 at the Coliseum, and Gordon said he's even been mistaken by NFL fans in Los Angeles as talented Rams running back Todd Gurley II.
"I love all of the guys over there," Gordon said. "I'm cool with Todd and all of those boys, but man, I need those boys to lose."
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco was a little more diplomatic when asked earlier if he would be rooting for the Rams in the postseason.
"I'm a big fan of [Rams head coach] Sean McVay and [Rams general manager] Les Snead," Telesco said during his end-of-the-season news conference. "Those are really good guys, fun to talk football with, down to earth and I think it's just really good for football in Los Angeles, I really do.
"They're a fun team to watch: offense and defense. Right now, I say I'm not watching those games Sunday, but I know I will watch. …. I know it's going to happen. I won't be happy watching them, but I enjoy those two guys a lot. I think they're really good at what they do too."