Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
Taylor Swift wears a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan holds up an indication earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan not sporting a shirt gestures through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce (87) warms up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A gauge shows the temperature on the sector at Arrowhead Stadium through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up on the sector earlier than the workforce’s NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, second from proper, and tight finish Travis Kelce, third from proper, huddle with teammates earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A fan in costume gestures earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan cheers earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Grounds crew employees pull on a tarp at Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan bundles up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Followers tailgate exterior of Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Followers tailgate exterior Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Individuals stroll down a snow-packed avenue as a winter storm moved by the area, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Taylor Swift wears a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Taylor Swift wears a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan holds up an indication earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan holds up an indication earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan not sporting a shirt gestures through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan not sporting a shirt gestures through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce (87) warms up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce (87) warms up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A gauge shows the temperature on the sector at Arrowhead Stadium through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A gauge shows the temperature on the sector at Arrowhead Stadium through the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up on the sector earlier than the workforce’s NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up on the sector earlier than the workforce’s NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, second from proper, and tight finish Travis Kelce, third from proper, huddle with teammates earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, second from proper, and tight finish Travis Kelce, third from proper, huddle with teammates earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A fan in costume gestures earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A fan in costume gestures earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan cheers earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
A Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan cheers earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Grounds crew employees pull on a tarp at Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Grounds crew employees pull on a tarp at Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan bundles up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
A fan bundles up earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Ed Zurga)
Followers tailgate exterior of Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Followers tailgate exterior of Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Followers tailgate exterior Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Followers tailgate exterior Arrowhead Stadium earlier than an NFL wild-card playoff soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Individuals stroll down a snow-packed avenue as a winter storm moved by the area, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
Individuals stroll down a snow-packed avenue as a winter storm moved by the area, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. (AP Picture/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Miami Dolphins performed the fourth-coldest recreation in NFL historical past on Saturday night time, with bitter wind chills that made it feel even colder at kickoff and intrepid followers bundled up in parkas, snow pants and ski goggles.
The temperature for the wild-card playoff recreation was minus-4 levels Fahrenheit (minus-20 Celsius), and wind gusts as much as 27 mph made for a wind chill of minus-27 levels. That shattered the report for the coldest game in Arrowhead Stadium history, which had been 1 diploma, set in a 1983 recreation in opposition to Denver and matched in 2016 in opposition to Tennessee.
The coldest recreation in league historical past stays minus-13 for the 1967 NFL championship, when the Packers beat the Cowboys at Lambeau Area in a recreation that got here to be often called the Ice Bowl. The wind chill that day was minus-48 levels.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs dealt with the weather higher than the guests from South Florida, beating the Dolphins 26-7.
“It was chilly, I’m not going to lie. It was chilly,” Kansas Metropolis’s quarterback stated. “On the finish of the day, you must be mentally powerful sufficient that if one thing doesn’t work, I’m going to come back again and maintain firing.”
The bitter chilly didn’t appear to trouble followers. Amongst them was pop superstar-turned-Chiefs fan Taylor Swift, who arrived wearing a puffy winter coat designed to appear to be the jersey of her boyfriend, Kansas Metropolis tight finish Travis Kelce.
Many followers started displaying up on the parking gates greater than 12 hours earlier than kickoff Saturday, starting their tailgating proper on the street. And whereas there was much less tailgating than ordinary, the scent of pregame barbecue nonetheless wafted by the parking heaps.
“We undoubtedly had that preliminary shock after we seemed on the forecast,” stated Chiefs season ticket holder Keaton Schlatter, who drove from West Des Moines, Iowa, for Saturday night time’s recreation. “We thought of possibly posting our tickets on the market and in the event that they don’t promote, then we’d go. However we determined that it’s all a part of the expertise.”
Not less than Chiefs and Dolphins followers might make it to the stadium.
The NFL was involved that no one might make it to the Payments’ recreation in opposition to the Steelers on Sunday in Buffalo, the place a blizzard was anticipated to drop a few toes of snow. So, the league and New York state officers determined to postpone the wild-card game until Monday, when the brunt of the snow was anticipated to have ended.
“We wish our Payments to win,” Erie County Govt Mark Poloncarz stated at a information convention in suburban Buffalo, “however we don’t need 60,000 to 70,000 folks touring to the soccer recreation in what’s going to be horrible conditions.”
The snow wasn’t the issue in Kansas Metropolis, the place extra fell Saturday morning however tapered off earlier than kickoff. Reasonably, the massive concern was what the Nationwide Climate Service known as “dangerously chilly” wind chills, which have been anticipated to make a forecasted temperature of minus-10 levels by the end really feel extra like minus-30.
“The spectators must be ready. Assume chilly ski journey or ice fishing,” stated Dr. Sarah Spelsberg, who teaches in Northeastern College’s Graduate Program in Excessive Drugs. “If it’s me, I’m sporting ski goggles, too. There wouldn’t be a millimeter of my pores and skin displaying in these temperatures. I had frostbite one time and I by no means wished to have it once more.”
About six hours earlier than kickoff, stadium employees started to plow snow from the tarp overlaying the sector, scoop it into vehicles and drive it away. The sphere itself is heated, although, and it appeared to thaw out as gametime approached.
Dolphins extensive receiver Tyreek Hill, who was again at Arrowhead Stadium for his first recreation since Kansas Metropolis traded him away, walked out for pregame warmups sporting a short-sleeve shirt. Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, who grew up in Wisconsin, arrived sporting shorts. A number of different gamers, together with Kelce, additionally had pores and skin displaying when the Chiefs took the sector for his or her opening drive.
By the second quarter, Chiefs coach Andy Reid had icicles in his mustache. Within the third, Mahomes had his helmet shattered on successful from Miami security DeShon Elliott.
As for the followers, the Chiefs had quite a few warming stations all through the stadium, and so they bent a few of their guidelines to assist them take care of the climate. Followers have been allowed to hold in blankets, offered they’d no zippers or compartments, and will use transportable chargers to energy the type of heated attire that Schlatter was bringing to the sport.
Followers additionally might convey cardboard to place below their toes, a helpful tip Chiefs security Justin Reid handed alongside this week.
“Attempting to determine what to put on that would be the warmest has been the regarding half,” stated Lauren Bays, a Chiefs fan from Smithville, Missouri. “I’ve been considering of how so as to add heat all week and did discover a pair of ski goggles that I plan to put on.”
Not each fan is a diehard. Ticket costs on the secondary market plummeted all through the week as followers tried to unload their seats. The value to get in was lower than $30 by Saturday morning, or about 10% of what it could usually price, and empty seats have been seen at kickoff.
The climate in all probability put a chill into the Dolphins, whose loss to Buffalo final week price them a chance to host a house playoff recreation this weekend. They practiced all week in Miami, and it was 86 levels on Friday after they stepped on the airplane to Kansas Metropolis. It was 10 levels with a wind chill of minus-6 after they arrived, an virtually 100-degree distinction.
“You possibly can’t put together for a recreation like that with that type of climate, so it’ll be new,” stated Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who grew up in Hawaii and performed his school soccer within the relative heat of Alabama.
“Chilly’s chilly. For you, me — it’s chilly,” Andy Reid stated. “However you go do your factor. That’s the way you go play.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All Rights Reserved.
