Numerous fans who showed up to the Kansas City Chiefs Wild Card matchup against the Miami Dolphins were reportedly hospitalized for conditions relating to being out in cold weather. The NFL made a controversial decision to keep the game at night instead of rescheduling for when the sun was out.
The temperature at kickoff was minus 4 degrees, with a wind chill of minus 27 degrees. A viral video circulated on social media pregame of a water bottle turning into an ice bottle in seconds at Arrowhead Stadium.
Yes, it was so cold that the refrigerators were keeping the drinks WARM… 😬 https://t.co/WYo9pz4Rjn
— KCBD NewsChannel11 (@KCBD11) January 17, 2024
Regardless of the National Weather Service calling the temperatures Dangerously cold” Saturday night, the show went on as scheduled. There were negative consequences as a result of the league’s decision to keep the game at night.
NFL fans were transported to local hospitals due to the cold temps
According to KMBC 9, first responders were busy taking care of fans who were experiencing health problems due to going to the game in dangerous conditions. Numerous fans were transported to local hospitals, seven for hypothermia and three for frostbite:
“Even with extra caution taken by many in attendance, the Kansas City Fire Department still had its hands full before, during and after the game.
KCFD told KMBC 9 on Monday that it received 69 calls for service at Arrowhead on Saturday. That figure includes calls from both inside the stadium and in the parking lot.
Approximately half of the nearly 70 calls were hypothermia-related.
According to the department, 15 people were transported to area hospitals. Among those hospitalized, seven were treated for hypothermia and three for frostbite.
These numbers do not include walk-ins to KU Medical Center aid stations.”
The cold weather caused issues during the Chiefs game
The cold weather appeared to cause issues on the game field as well. Prior to the game, sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung claimed the sidelines between the 30 yardlines were 40 degrees. One has to doubt that forecase after seeing icicles develop on Andy Reid’s mustache.
How they keep the sidelines at 40 degrees in subzero temperatures.
📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/oH1baOT43r
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 14, 2024
Heaters below the field might have been pumping hot air, but the was ice all over the field Saturday night. Furthermore, Chiefs’ quarterback Patriots Mahomes’ helmet is believed to have shattered due to the frigid temperatures in Arrowhead Stadium.
The NFL doesn’t have a policy on rescheduling games due to temperatures. While one can make the argument fans made their own choice to brave the elements Saturday night, the league certainly wanted people in the stands to create a great playoff atmosphere for TV the over-the-top streaming service Peacock.
While the league has no official bottom for a temperature that would cause a game to be rescheduled, they’ve done it before. And if the league is serious about player safety, they should consider implementing a policy this offseason at which temperature threshold they won’t go under to put fans/players in harms way.
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