[imagesource:accuweather]

Dozens of people across Kansas City had to be treated for frostbite due to an 11-day cold snap which saw a football game between City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium being played in freezing temperatures.

According to local weather reports, the wind chill – what the temperature feels like to the human body – dipped as low as -33°C. As a result, some fans had to be treated for frostbite, particularly extremities such as fingers and toes, after exposure to freezing temperatures.

According to The Research Medical Centre in Kansas, 12 people had to undergo amputations involving mostly fingers and toes.

Christine Hamele, associate vice president of HCA Midwest Health, which operates seven hospitals, including the Research Medical Centre and its Grossman Burn Centre, said: “To date, 12 patients have undergone amputation surgeries.

“Our specialised physicians and expert care team continue to treat and monitor patients’ healing to address long-term needs, and we expect more surgical procedures over the next two to four weeks as their injuries evolve.”

Hamele however said not all the cases can be attributed to the freezing football game.

“Some patients came in post-Chief game, assuming it would heal,” she said. “When they arrived in the outpatient, they don’t always reference the Chiefs game. For example, one gentleman was at the Chiefs game, but is also a meter reader.”

The 13 January game – which ended with a 26-7 victory for Kansas over Miami – became the coldest on record to be held in Arrowhead Stadium history. At one point during the match, Andy Reid, the head coach of the Chiefs, was seen with a build-up of ice on his moustache.

The view of Arrowhead Stadium inside eight hours until kickoff. pic.twitter.com/VqAuVirzkZ

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 13, 2024

However, it narrowly missed out on being the coldest game in NFL history, which remains the 1967 NFL Championship in Wisconsin, where temperatures reached -25°C, earning it the nickname the “Ice Bowl”.

Besides the freezing football, the game was also made famous by Taylor Swift’s attendance, although the world’s favourite mediocre singer wasn’t in the stands with the popsicles, but in a warm losie with her entourage.

Ordinary attendees were, however, allowed to bring heated blankets into the stadium, and small pieces of cardboard to place under their feet on the cold concrete.

[source:sky]