The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs faced off over the weekend in dangerously cold temperatures, and some players seemingly paid the price.
According to a report, there was some frostbite on “both sides” in a game the Chiefs won 26-7.
"I heard from source(s) that some players did get frostbite in Kansas City on Saturday night"@aqshipley #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PYWmjbQIwE
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 17, 2024
Despite temperatures below zero and even worse wind chills, the Dolphins-Chiefs game took place, and over 70,000 fans were in attendance to see it happen. Some folks in attendance reportedly suffered hypothermia and frostbite themselves, meaning the effects of the cold reached far beyond the playing field.
“Even with extra caution taken by many in attendance, the Kansas City Fire Department still had its hands full before, during and after the game,” Connor Hills wrote.
“KCFD told KMBC 9 on Monday that it received 69 calls for service at Arrowhead on Saturday. That figure includes calls from both inside the stadium and in the parking lot.
“Approximately half of the nearly 70 calls were hypothermia-related.
“According to the department, 15 people were transported to area hospitals. Among those hospitalized, seven were treated for hypothermia and three for frostbite.
“These numbers do not include walk-ins to KU Medical Center aid stations. Inside Arrowhead, there were seven first aid stations around the stadium manned by EMTs and KU Medical staff. KMBC is still waiting to hear back from KU on the total number of game-day walk-ins.”
The Dolphins, a warm-weather team, struggled to play to their potential in the cold conditions, allowing 26 points on defense while scoring just seven on offense. Miami’s lone touchdown came in the second quarter, with the team failing to get on the board at any point during the second half.
Mike McDaniel’s squad was forced to travel for its lone playoff game after going 0-2 over the final two weeks of the regular season. The collapse allowed the Buffalo Bills to clinch the AFC East division, significantly altering Miami’s playoff outlook.
The Dolphins have now lost in the first round of the playoffs in two straight seasons. The franchise is still trying to capture its first playoff victory since the 2000 campaign, a goal that is becoming very elusive.
Hopefully, anyone who was harmed by the cold conditions on Saturday will be able to recover completely. The Dolphins will certainly make sure that all of their players are taken care of, as will the Chiefs as they prepare for their next playoff game.
In the 2024 campaign, the Dolphins will look to do enough in the regular season to make sure they don’t have to travel to a difficult road environment in the playoffs. The franchise is certainly looking ahead to what the future may hold.
