The Chiefs vs Dolphins game is certainly going to be pushing the limits of safety in the first weeks of 2024. Just days after the NFL announced that the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers would be postponed due to excessive snowfall in the Buffalo area, they took a stand and announced that no such postponement would be occurring in Kansas City. While there may not be a transportation issue with the game in Kansas City, there is still a very significant hazard.
Field Conditions are a Major Hazard during Playoff Game Between the Chiefs and Dolphins
On Sunday afternoon, photos were taken on X (formerly shown as Twitter) showing permafrost conditions on the field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“This is fine.” pic.twitter.com/UPQBOrDVKB
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 13, 2024
While the NFL may not want to postpone this matchup, there is a significant safety concern as temperatures are expected to hit -30 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill. With the permafrost conditions, being tackled on the field will be similar to being tackled on concrete. Players will suffer significant injuries given the condition of the field. After all of the talks concerning the effects of turf on player injury rates, the icy conditions will be much worse.
While that is a concern, there is also a major hazard for rapidly on-setting frostbite with temperatures that low. While it may be good for the league, the cold is going to be a major disaster as people are going to be in need of first aid during the event and NFL games are notoriously weak in that department. Fans should be prepared with as many layers as possible as well as electric heating vests.
There has already been substantial lobbying attempting to get the game time moved as both players and fans are going to be exposed to dangerous conditions. While it may be valuable to avoid rescheduling, people are going to get sick and hurt in these conditions. The NFL is certainly putting a lot on the line while assuming a tremendous amount of liability for a huge playoff matchup.
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