The extreme cold during a Kansas City Chiefs playoff match in January led to catastrophic outcomes for some fans. A local Missouri hospital confirmed on Friday that several individuals who braved the freezing conditions at the game faced serious frostbite injuries, resulting in amputations.
While Research Medical Center did not provide a specific count, they did announce that during an 11-day period of severe cold in January, they treated dozens of frostbite cases. After attending the Jan. 13 game, twelve people, in particular, endured amputations, mainly involving fingers and toes. The hospital also indicated that they anticipate additional surgeries within the next two to four weeks as the effects of the frostbite continue to unfold.
The University of Kansas hospital, another local healthcare facility, also administered treatment to individuals affected by frostbite during the same period, although no amputations have been reported from that center.
The Kansas City game, which was a wild-card playoff against the Dolphins, experienced temperatures at a brisk minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 Celsius), with wind gusts making the wind chill dip down to minus 27 degrees F (minus 33 C). This temperature registered as the coldest game in Arrowhead Stadium’s history, surpassing previous records.
While the sub-zero conditions in Kansas City did not lead to the postponement of the game, in New York, the Buffalo Bills had to delay their match against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a blizzard. This drastic weather reaction underscores the severity of conditions fans at the Chiefs game endured.
Officials, such as Dr. Megan Garcia from the Grossman Burn Center at Research, have emphasized the rapidity with which frostbite can affect exposed skin, taking as little as 30 minutes, and noted that a wind chill factor can accelerate this process. To combat the cold, fans at the game were permitted to bring heated blankets and cardboard to insulate their feet from the icy concrete.
Despite the recent incident in Kansas City, the NFL’s coldest game on record remains the iconic 1967 championship, known as the Ice Bowl, where temperatures sank to minus 13 F (minus 25 C), with wind chills of minus 48 F (minus 44 C).
Requests for comments from the Chiefs organization regarding the recent frostbite incidents have yet to be addressed.
___
Reporting from Englewood, Colorado, is Stapleton.
FAQ about the Frostbite Incidents at the Chiefs Playoff Game
Q: How cold was it at the Chiefs playoff game?
A: The temperature was minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 Celsius) with wind chill bringing it down to minus 27 degrees F (minus 33 C).
Q: How many people suffered from frostbite?
A: Dozens were treated for frostbite, and twelve individuals required amputations.
Q: How quickly can frostbite occur?
A: According to medical professionals, frostbite can affect exposed skin within 30 minutes, and even faster with wind chill.
Q: Were any precautions allowed in the stadium for the cold?
A: Yes, fans were allowed to bring heated blankets and cardboard for insulation.
Q: Has the NFL experienced colder games?
A: Yes, the coldest NFL game on record is the 1967 NFL championship, the Ice Bowl, at minus 13 F (minus 25 C) with a wind chill of minus 48 F (minus 44 C).
Conclusion
The severity of cold at the Kansas City Chiefs playoff game not only broke historical records but had grave consequences for fans exposed to the treacherous conditions. With numerous cases of frostbite and amputations being reported, the dangers of extreme temperatures during outdoor sports events have been starkly highlighted. As the medical community responds to these emergencies, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s force and the importance of taking precautionary measures in such harsh weather conditions.