The Buffalo Bills are undertaking a full replacement of the natural grass at Highmark Stadium, citing a commitment to player performance and safety. The decision comes after the field showed significant wear and tear during the team's preseason games, leading to player complaints.
Chunks and bald spots appeared in the Kentucky bluegrass during preseason matchups, with reports of grass flying into the air during tackles. Despite the field passing NFL standards for safety and playability, feedback from players and the looming start of the regular season prompted the immediate re-sodding effort. The process began Monday, with full installation expected by the end of the week.
“We’re committed to having the best possible playing surface for our players,” stated Pete Guelli, president of business operations for the Bills. “With a stretch of three consecutive home games early in the season, we decided it was the appropriate time to re-sod our field.” He added that the organization will continue to monitor the field and other aspects of the new stadium to ensure an optimal experience for players and fans.
This field issue follows a summer of scrutiny for the Bills' new $2.2 billion stadium. Fans voiced concerns about obstructed views during an open practice on August 8, with images of the sightlines going viral on social media. Some ticket holders reported feeling misled about the views from their seats.
Guelli emphasized that the decision to replace the field was made even with the surface meeting performance and playability benchmarks. "As an organization, we’re committed to having the absolute best possible playing surface for the players. If it’s even slightly better, we’re going to make the change and err on the side of performance," he told The Buffalo News.