Buffalo Bills ask for help shoveling snow out of stadium ahead of delayed Steelers wild-card game
The Buffalo Bills asked for help clearing snow out of Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, ahead of the team's postponed wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The game had been scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but it was delayed until Monday at 4:30 p.m. because of weather conditions. Video shared by the Bills on Saturday showed whiteout conditions inside the stadium.
"Our snow removal crews are working relentlessly to remove as much snow as possible before kickoff," the Bills said Monday. "A reminder to all fans attending today's game, please dress appropriately for the cold weather including waterproof boots and pants."
Snowfall also caused parking issues at the stadium, according to the team. The Bills ran a bus shuttle service to the stadium because of the parking limitations.
Up to 19 inches of snow were possible for the area, according to the National Weather Service. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced the game's postponement, also instated a full travel ban in Erie County.
Hochul shared a video of the area on Sunday afternoon to show what the area was like during what would have been kickoff. "No visibility and dangerously high winds," Hochul wrote alongside the video.
"Looks like a pretty good day to not have a football game," the governor captioned another post.
While the Buffalo Bills had asked shovelers to come to the stadium, the team on Sunday asked people to "abide by travel bans and not report to Highmark Stadium until further notice once the bans are lifted." But, reports CBS Buffalo affiliate WIVB-TV, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Sunday night that the county and state have authorized people to travel to the stadium to help with snow removal.
Crews in New York were working Sunday to clear roads and restore power. The Western New York Region of New York State Department of Transportation on Monday said it had taken "a lot of resources and teamwork" to clear highways near Highmark Stadium.
The Bills said the pay for shovelers would be $20 an hour. Shovelers would also receive free food and breaks in a "comfortable warm area." The team asked people to dress warmly and bring their own shovels if possible. Shovelers were also asked to bring photo identification.
"Our snow removal crews are working relentlessly to remove as much snow as possible before kickoff," the Bills said Monday. "A reminder to all fans attending today's game, please dress appropriately for the cold weather including waterproof boots and pants."
Snowfall also caused parking issues at the stadium, according to the team.
Ahead of Monday's game, the Steelers described the stadium as a "Wild Card winter wonderland."
The Bills and Steelers were not the only teams impacted by frigid conditions this weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs played the Miami Dolphins in the fourth-coldest game in NFL history on Saturday night.
