Despite a massive snowstorm in western New York that has dumped up to 6 feet of snow in the region, the Buffalo Bills announced they're still planning to host the New York Jets Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium. If the team eventually determines it is unable to adequately clear the snow and make the stadium safe for fans before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, the NFL will decide upon contingency plans.
Bills still planning to play Sunday despite snowstorm
The Bills and Jets are scheduled to face off Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.
Snow was still falling in the Buffalo area as of Wednesday morning, and the lake-effect snow should continue to pound upstate New York through Friday, with an additional 2 feet expected to blanket the area. The forecast improves over the weekend, however, with temps reaching the 40s and 50s on Saturday and Sunday.
The Bills are sparing no expense in clearing the stadium to make it safe for fans and players on Sunday afternoon. According to the team, 220,000 tons of snow needs to be removed, enough to fill the Bills’ indoor practice facility eight times. The Bills are asking the public to help with the snow removal process, offering a wage of $10 per hour and free game tickets to snow shovelers, and will likely have to work around the clock to get the stadium ready.
Want to help clear the Ralph? We're looking for snow shovelers. Pay is $10/hour + game tickets. Call 716-636-4840 for details.
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) November 19, 2014 #Bills VP Andy Major: "Removing snow and having snow fall at the same time, we'll go 24/7, triple shifts to be ready" #LetsGoBuffalo
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) November 19, 2014 A snow removal project of this magnitude at an NFL stadium would not be unprecedented. In December 2010, the Minnesota Vikings were forced to move their game against the Bears to the University of Minnesota's open-air TCF Bank Stadium after a snowstorm damaged the roof of the Metrodome. Using groups of 100 workers in four-hour shifts for 16 hours a day, more than 40,000 cubic yards of snow were removed from the stadium during the week leading up to the game.
The Bills’ practice schedule this week is still uncertain, but the team will at least have film to study in preparation for the game. The coaching staff -- which plans to sleep at the team’s facility this week -- is videotaping the game plan and will distribute it digitally to the players. However, it remains to be seen when (or if) the players will actually be able to get the facility to participate in live workouts before this weekend.
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