The Buffalo Bills just debuted their New Highmark Stadium this weekend against the Carolina Panthers, and if early feedback from at least one player is any indication, they’ve got some serious work to do. According to The Athletic’s Tim Graham, an anonymous player didn’t mince words, flat out saying, “The field is ass right now.” Yikes. This is after shelling out a staggering $2.2 billion for the new digs.
High Cost, High Chunks: The Field Fiasco
You drop $2.2 billion on a new stadium, you’d think the playing surface would be pristine, right? Apparently not. That “ass” comment, though qualified with “But it’s early,” stings when you consider the price tag. It just shows how wild grass fields can be compared to artificial turf. Bills linebacker Dorian Williams had a more diplomatic take, telling Graham that “The grass looked good,” and “It was cool. A couple spots kind of chunked up a little bit, but it’s better than playing on (artificial) turf.” He figures the kinks will get worked out, noting he saw guys knocking turf chunks back down and had no traction problems. Still, for a brand new, multi-billion dollar facility, you want that field to be perfect from day one. This is definitely one of those early setbacks you don’t want to see.
Beyond the Grass: Obstructed Views and Quick Fixes
The field isn’t the only thing getting some side-eye. When the Bills first let fans into the stadium earlier this month, some were quick to point out that certain seats had obstructed views. The team was pretty fast to respond, though. In a statement, they said, “Saturday’s practice was a great opportunity to test the new stadium. We are currently addressing internal and external feedback regarding the facility’s operation following the first event.” They added that they’ll use the next six weeks to “refine any details” before the home opener. The good news for fans with those specific seats is that many won’t even be sold for football games; they’re apparently reserved for concerts and other events. Smart move to mitigate that particular headache.
The preseason is all about working out the kinks, and for the Bills, that apparently includes their actual stadium. They’ve got some crucial weeks ahead to get everything dialed in. Buffalo will be looking to resolve these issues by Thursday, September 17, when they welcome the Detroit Lions for their official home opener. Let’s hope that field is looking a lot less “ass” by then!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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