NFL Rules on Heaters For Sidelines?

[Mango]

2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Yet... Miami gets one big permanent tent. The roof above them!

 

How does that float with the League?

 

I am less concerned with it being equal on both sides and much more concerned with player safety. I would be opposed to Miami tearing off part of their roof to even things out. That only increases the risk pool and solves nothing.

 

That stadium was built nearly 40 years ago. We certainly have more severe weather spikes these days so the situation has changed in the nearly two generations that have since passed. For example, the growing season in Vermont is about 2 weeks longer now than when the stadium was built. Apples are struggling but they have a host of new crops as well. 

 

In 1987 this was much much less of a concern and more of a quirky homefield advantage.  Much like every other climate issue, this has sort of crept up to a point that now requires swift action because of safety. I would hope the NFLPA gets involved at some point as well. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

2 minutes ago, Mango said:

 

I am less concerned with it being equal on both sides and much more concerned with player safety. I would be opposed to Miami tearing off part of their roof to even things out. That only increases the risk pool and solves nothing.

 

That stadium was built nearly 40 years ago. We certainly have more severe weather spikes these days so the situation has changed in the nearly two generations that have since passed. For example, the growing season in Vermont is about 2 weeks longer now than when the stadium was built. Apples are struggling but they have a host of new crops as well. 

 

In 1987 this was much much less of a concern and more of a quirky homefield advantage.  Much like every other climate issue, this has sort of crept up to a point that now requires swift action because of safety. I would hope the NFLPA gets involved at some point as well. 

There's a hole in roof... Why not a retractable "SunSetter" type thing/shade...

 

In 1987... It was more equal.  It's the new roof that creates the safety hazard. 

 

They protect the fans, HomeTeam, but not the visiting team...

[die hard bills fan]

I say no heaters.  Buffalo players are much more acclimated to the cold and snow and know how to dress and deal with the weather.  Let Miami freeze their butts off.

[Luka]

Could you imagine this forum if we actually went with no heaters and then the Phins won anyways...

 

How about the Bills just don't play like ass and win this game?

[SoCal Deek]

People act like the dolphins purposely set out to do something sinister with the roof design. The hole in the roof is directly over the field. The intent is not to cook the opponents but to keep the SEATS out of the sun and rain.  The Dolphins simply choose to take the south sideline where, being in the northern hemisphere, it’ll by definition be in the shade. What did people want them to do? 

[thewookie1]

The new stadium should have the Bills bench safe from the elements but the road sideline be exposed like Miami does only the snow and such will fall on them more

[EasternOHBillsFan]

4 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

People act like the dolphins purposely set out to do something sinister with the roof design. The hole in the roof is directly over the field. The intent is not to cook the opponents but to keep the SEATS out of the sun and rain.  The Dolphins simply choose to take the south sideline where, being in the northern hemisphere, it’ll by definition be in the shade. What did people want them to do? 

 

No A/C or fans for the Bills allowed on the sideline... is that not sinister?

 

I say no heat for anyone on the sidelines... let the Fins freeze their meat and two vegs off.

[RangerDave]

7 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

The new stadium should have the Bills bench safe from the elements but the road sideline be exposed like Miami does only the snow and such will fall on them more

I've seen renderings of the new stadium that show wind baffles outside the stadium that funnel the wind, rain, and snow directly to the visitors bench.  There is also a partial roof that not only covers only the home team sidelines, but is mobile and follows them onto the field!

[Golden*Wheels]

I imagine the fire inspector could easily find a  reason propane tanks couldn't be allowed in the stadium. Just sayin'.

[SoCal Deek]

9 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

No A/C or fans for the Bills allowed on the sideline... is that not sinister?

 

I say no heat for anyone on the sidelines... let the Fins freeze their meat and two vegs off.

Yes, but that’s not the stadium design. That’s how the Dolphins operate the place. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Every stadium should be closed roof. There I said it.

Edited December 15, 2022 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Mango]

44 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

No A/C or fans for the Bills allowed on the sideline... is that not sinister?

 

I say no heat for anyone on the sidelines... let the Fins freeze their meat and two vegs off.

 

Ahhhhh!!!!!That isn't true at all and the Bills have no capability to ban anything on the opposing sideline!!!!

I have said it a bunch of times in this thread, Buffalo fans have been misinterpreting the equity rule for months now. For reference. Dawkins was mic'd up for that game. Here he is (3:29 mark) under the shade. The cooling benches are to his right, and 6+ misting/cooling fans are blowing behind him. 

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/mic-d-up-dion-dawkins-x2743

Visiting teams are welcome to travel with any equipment that is allowed by league rules. The home team is required to provide identical equipment to what they are using. But home teams cannot prohibit what visitors can use. MIA in LA is a perfect example. LA did not use heaters, Miami brought their own and used them. That is allowed. 

The Bills brought their own cooling benches, cooling fans, and had trainers holding shade above them. What the equity rule does require Miami to provide the same cooling fans to visitors that they are using. If Miami chooses not to use cooling fans, that does not prohibit Buffalo from brining and using their own. The issue is that in that kind of heat without protection from the direct sunlight those tools are basically useless. 

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by Mango

[ExiledInIllinois]

54 minutes ago, Mango said:

 

Ahhhhh!!!!!That isn't true at all and the Bills have no capability to ban anything on the opposing sideline!!!!

I have said it a bunch of times in this thread, Buffalo fans have been misinterpreting the equity rule for months now. For reference. Dawkins was mic'd up for that game. Here he is (3:29 mark) under the shade. The cooling benches are to his right, and 6+ misting/cooling fans are blowing behind him. 

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/mic-d-up-dion-dawkins-x2743

Visiting teams are welcome to travel with any equipment that is allowed by league rules. The home team is required to provide identical equipment to what they are using. But home teams cannot prohibit what visitors can use. MIA in LA is a perfect example. LA did not use heaters, Miami brought their own and used them. That is allowed. 

The Bills brought their own cooling benches, cooling fans, and had trainers holding shade above them. What the equity rule does require Miami to provide the same cooling fans to visitors that they are using. If Miami chooses not to use cooling fans, that does not prohibit Buffalo from brining and using their own. The issue is that in that kind of heat without protection from the direct sunlight those tools are basically useless. 

 

And the biggest cooling device that the Dolphins are using is their stadium roof which is not afforded to the visitor... If they are using it, why can't the visitors.

 

Only solution right now: Change sides at halftime.

 

You'd think the roof falls under same equity rule as fans and misters...?

[Beast]

Trash the heaters and have @teef and @Royale with Cheese in the first row behind the Bills bench. Those two are full of hot air and will keep the Bills toasty warm.

[Augie]

5 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

 

Then why were they running around the Bills sideline in September in Miami... With portable sunshades and fans?  Miami wasn't using them. 

 

I think eventually they said “screw it, try to fine us if you want”. They did rig up some stuff eventually, sadly it was too little too late or we’d have won that game.

 

That was one for the ages. I was at a game like that in Jax, and I thought we might die in the stands. We watched on little monitors over concession stands in the shade and AC of the club area. 

[ChasBB]

5 hours ago, babulator said:

IDK ,I work outside 8 hours a day on most days and I don't need to wheel a heater around behind me. Granted, I'm not wearing tights, but I say Freeze the Fish!

Agree.  Buffalo should ditch the heaters for this game and make the Dolphins suffer.  The Bills have all week to get used the the cold and Miami does not.

[ExiledInIllinois]

9 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I think eventually they said “screw it, try to fine us if you want”. They did rig up some stuff eventually, sadly it was too little too late or we’d have won that game.

 

That was one for the ages. I was at a game like that in Jax, and I thought we might die in the stands. We watched on little monitors over concession stands in the shade and AC of the club area. 

My brother was at a Jax game in September... Fans were dropping like sacks of wet cement... 😆 That might be the game!

[Augie]

15 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

My brother was at a Jax game in September... Fans were dropping like sacks of wet cement... 😆 That might be the game!

 

Mine was years ago, but it was similar I’m sure. We were rotating OL so they didn’t pass out. After that I learned to turn down free tix in FL early in the season. There’s a good reason they were free! 

 

EDIT: The hot one for me in Jax was the first season with Marcus Stroud after he spent years in Jacksonville. He said it was the hottest game he ever played in. It was BRUTAL! 

 

 

.

Edited December 15, 2022 by Augie

[TN Bills Fan]

Come out sleeveless like Bruce used to do.

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, RangerDave said:

I've seen renderings of the new stadium that show wind baffles outside the stadium that funnel the wind, rain, and snow directly to the visitors bench.  There is also a partial roof that not only covers only the home team sidelines, but is mobile and follows them onto the field!

Drones carrying pieces of roofing that fly above home players

[Ethan in Cleveland]

6 hours ago, Gisele said:

They intentionally built their stadium this way.  They don't have to use any shades on their side due to the stadium design so opposing teams can't use any either.  Brilliant, but cruel.   

It's a player safety issue the NFLPA should protest. Will it take a player dying of heat stroke to end this non-sense of playing in oppressive heat?

Edited December 15, 2022 by Ethan in Cleveland

[EasternOHBillsFan]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

 

Ahhhhh!!!!!That isn't true at all and the Bills have no capability to ban anything on the opposing sideline!!!!

I have said it a bunch of times in this thread, Buffalo fans have been misinterpreting the equity rule for months now. For reference. Dawkins was mic'd up for that game. Here he is (3:29 mark) under the shade. The cooling benches are to his right, and 6+ misting/cooling fans are blowing behind him. 

The Bills brought their own cooling benches, cooling fans, and had trainers holding shade above them. What the equity rule does require Miami to provide the same cooling fans to visitors that they are using. If Miami chooses not to use cooling fans, that does not prohibit Buffalo from brining and using their own. The issue is that in that kind of heat without protection from the direct sunlight those tools are basically useless. 

 

Thanks for the clarification! I wish this wasn't an issue at all, but hey, Saturday night will be a most fun watch!

[ExiledInIllinois]

How hard is it to run a rollup sun shade in tracks around this hole?  If that home team has shade, shouldn't the visiting team under the equity rule... OR just swap sides at halftime.

This roof is no different than one team having heated benches and the other that doesn't. 

 

I believe SoFi has a shade roof?

[frostbitmic]

The cold and snow is already in the Dolphins heads especially Tuna.

 

I heard him on TV saying that he played in a snow game his first year at Alabama. Apparently they had an inch in Northern Alabama and some flurries at the stadium. And then he commented that it snow's in Alabama too. He'll be the first one running for the heated bus.

 

Squish the Fish

Pummel the water mammals

[Billz4ever]

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

It's a player safety issue the NFLPA should protest. Will it take a player dying of heat stroke to end this non-sense of playing in oppressive heat?

It very well might.  The NFL hasn't exactly been known for being proactive when it comes to player safety over the years.

[Motorin']

1 hour ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

It's a player safety issue the NFLPA should protest. Will it take a player dying of heat stroke to end this non-sense of playing in oppressive heat?

 

The Dolphins preventing any cooling steps in that type of extreme heat is actually a violation of OSHA standards for workplace safety. Federal safety standards should trump NFL rules. 

[Mr. WEO]

7 hours ago, NewEra said:

We should have heaters on the sideline.  It doesn’t matter that Miami will be allowed them as well. Our players don’t wanna be out there in the cold with no heat. Period

 

Agreed.  Anyone who thinks the Bills would even consider letting their own players freeze with no heaters is out of their minds.  

[Beck Water]

7 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

I'm seeing people claiming that if the Bills decide not to use heaters, the Dolphins can't either.

Anyone know what the official rules are on this?

 

7 hours ago, SCBills said:

Pretty sure that’s accurate.  
 

It’s too bad our sideline isn’t built on a hot spring so we could mimic the absurd advantage Miami has. 
 

If we choose to freeze our limbs off, we can force Miami to do so as well.  

 

LOL I'm sure this is all fan/Internet chatter - our guys want to be able to warm up, so we'll have the heaters out.

 

But --- it "Buffaloed" Mike Florio.  I just listened to his segment with Chris Simms on the Dolphins game, and Mike Florio believes the Bills won't use heaters, so the Dolphins cant.

 

Chris Simms, by the way, ladeled out inspirational bulletin board material for Tua by the truckload - saying it's a question, can he play in bad weather, that when he's tried in the past he hasn't just looked bad he's looked awful, doesn't think he can do it.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

The Dolphins preventing any cooling steps in that type of extreme heat is actually a violation of OSHA standards for workplace safety. Federal safety standards should trump NFL rules. 

 

I agree with this 100%.  The NFLPA should file a grievance for the teams that are scheduled to play the Dolphins at home the first 6 weeks of the season.  The NFL absolutely does not prioritize player safety here.

[muppy]

4 hours ago, KHAN said:

I think that the climate change we are experiencing will make the "outlier" hot games more and more dangerous as time goes on. The NFL may have do something eventually to flex games in extreme heat to the evening. But they won't do anything that takes away a single dollar from the coffers. I imagine someone will have to die before they change anything. Like the hockey and baseball protective netting.

BINGO.  I had this exact same thought. Heatstroke is no joke. The NFL  lawyers will write disclaimers that fans attend games at their own risk to avoid liability if it were to happen to a fan. But clearly players don't have that option.  I know they have the best trainers,  hydration protocols  along with world class  physical conditioning allowing  players to perform under stresses like heat. But lets not pretend that Miami cares if an opponent has heat hardships in their stadium they just dont. Home field advantage yes. But yet now we hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth because they have to deal with cold and snow? Cry me  a river 😏 

 

I have ZERO sympathy just sayin. 

Edited December 16, 2022 by muppy

[Mango]

28 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

The Dolphins preventing any cooling steps in that type of extreme heat is actually a violation of OSHA standards for workplace safety. Federal safety standards should trump NFL rules. 

There is no rule that prevents cooling benches or cooling fans on the sidelines. The Bills brought and used their own benches, fans, and canopies. 
 

The shade from the sun provided by the stadium itself is the only difference between the teams. 
 

I’ve posted this on nearly every page of this thread. At least make a tiny effort. 

16 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

 

LOL I'm sure this is all fan/Internet chatter - our guys want to be able to warm up, so we'll have the heaters out.

 

But --- it "Buffaloed" Mike Florio.  I just listened to his segment with Chris Simms on the Dolphins game, and Mike Florio believes the Bills won't use heaters, so the Dolphins cant.

 

Chris Simms, by the way, ladeled out inspirational bulletin board material for Tua by the truckload - saying it's a question, can he play in bad weather, that when he's tried in the past he hasn't just looked bad he's looked awful, doesn't think he can do it.

 

 

 

I agree with this 100%.  The NFLPA should file a grievance for the teams that are scheduled to play the Dolphins at home the first 6 weeks of the season.  The NFL absolutely does not prioritize player safety here.

Florio is wrong. 
 

The Bills brought and used cooling fans, canopies, and benches to Miami. By Miami not using them, they don’t have to provide them to visitors. But visitors are well within league rules to bring and use their own league sanctioned devices. 
 

 

[teef]

2 hours ago, Beast said:

Trash the heaters and have @teef and @Royale with Cheese in the first row behind the Bills bench. Those two are full of hot air and will keep the Bills toasty warm.

It’s just the heat coming off my man parts. 

[Motorin']

56 minutes ago, Mango said:

There is no rule that prevents cooling benches or cooling fans on the sidelines. The Bills brought and used their own benches, fans, and canopies. 
 

The shade from the sun provided by the stadium itself is the only difference between the teams. 
 

I’ve posted this on nearly every page of this thread. At least make a tiny effort. 

Florio is wrong. 
 

The Bills brought and used cooling fans, canopies, and benches to Miami. By Miami not using them, they don’t have to provide them to visitors. But visitors are well within league rules to bring and use their own league sanctioned devices. 
 

 

 

[msw2112]

11 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

Sorta on topic: the Dolphins had heaters in LA. It was 55 degrees:

 

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/nfl/news/dolphins-heaters-los-angeles-bills-buffalo-weather/mhn3uepdscqeibdizsnpa9fv

 

Did the Chargers have them too?  Based on what I am seeing here, if the home team doesn't use something, the visiting team can't either.

 

Or, maybe, as the post quoted in the one directly above this one says (with the awesome Church Lady .gif), Florio is wrong and the visiting team can bring their own equipment as they see fit?

Edited December 16, 2022 by msw2112

[TAinLack.]

4 hours ago, frostbitmic said:

The cold and snow is already in the Dolphins heads especially Tuna.

 

I heard him on TV saying that he played in a snow game his first year at Alabama. Apparently they had an inch in Northern Alabama and some flurries at the stadium. And then he commented that it snow's in Alabama too. He'll be the first one running for the heated bus.

 

Squish the Fish

Pummel the water mammals

An inch of snow in Alabama, we call that a dusting here in Buffalo!

[AlfaBill]

12 hours ago, Gisele said:

They intentionally built their stadium this way.  They don't have to use any shades on their side due to the stadium design so opposing teams can't use any either.  Brilliant, but cruel.   

Brilliant. Too bad it hasn’t brought a title. 

[ElMarko]

11 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Agreed!  

 

I swear I feel like so many people completely over look this home field cold "advantage" against opponents ALSO affects our team and players too.  And our team doesn't play well in the cold either and isn't built for the cold.  So why hurt us and what we do well to try and maybe impact the opponent some.  

 

And I will say it right now...if it came down to who can run the ball better, I would trust the tandem of Wilson and Mostert more than I would Devin and Cook (who falls down if the wind blows).  So lets not try and make this a must run to win game because we will be the ones probably impacted the most.  

 

I am not worried about Allens ability to out duel over rated Tua.  I am worried about our OL and RB's out rushing the Dolphins if neither team can throw.  

Bills have 3rd best Rush defense. Everyone thinks otherwise. Top 3 in entire league. 

[pennstate10]

4 hours ago, Mango said:

There is no rule that prevents cooling benches or cooling fans on the sidelines. The Bills brought and used their own benches, fans, and canopies. 
 

The shade from the sun provided by the stadium itself is the only difference between the teams. 
 

I’ve posted this on nearly every page of this thread. At least make a tiny effort. 

Florio is wrong. 
 

The Bills brought and used cooling fans, canopies, and benches to Miami. By Miami not using them, they don’t have to provide them to visitors. But visitors are well within league rules to bring and use their own league sanctioned devices. 
 

 

I’m 99% sure you’re incorrect. 
Bills had fans and cooling benches but weren’t allowed canopies similar to the injury tents. That’s what they needed more than anything to provide shade form direct sun, which the dolphins were provided via stadium roof. 
This is the crux of the unfair advantage and the entire discussion. 

[Richard Noggin]

5 hours ago, Beck Water said:

I agree with this 100%.  The NFLPA should file a grievance for the teams that are scheduled to play the Dolphins at home the first 6 weeks of the season.  The NFL absolutely does not prioritize player safety here.

 

I've read comments on here suggesting the direct sunlight and heat index disparity is mostly a 1 PM kickoff issue? That maybe a 4 PM start mitigates it enough to at least keep these giant athletes safe?

 

I did live on that godforsaken peninsula for the better part of a decade, and I have attended a couple early-season games in that South Florida nightmare factory (PRE-awning installation)...heck, it was the home team's "fans" who spent a LOT of time in the concourses avoiding the extreme sun/heat. It's no joke. 

 

I don't know if a later kickoff (combined with the new awnings) would alleviate some of the extreme conditions exacerbated by the relentless, direct sunlight of early afternoon in the tropics. 

 

35 minutes ago, TAinLA said:

An inch of snow in Alabama, we call that a dusting here in Buffalo!

 

We don't call it anything.

Edited December 16, 2022 by Richard Noggin

[Mango]

9 hours ago, pennstate10 said:

I’m 99% sure you’re incorrect. 
Bills had fans and cooling benches but weren’t allowed canopies similar to the injury tents. That’s what they needed more than anything to provide shade form direct sun, which the dolphins were provided via stadium roof. 
This is the crux of the unfair advantage and the entire discussion. 

I didn’t say anything incorrect. I never mentioned anything about “canopies similar to cooling tents”. But there were trainers holding canopies over the benches. 3:29 mark. That is 100% fact.

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/mic-d-up-dion-dawkins-x2743

 

Baking in the sun is and was problem number one. I’ve mentioned that numerous times in this thread. But it isn’t inherently an issue with the equity rule. I think the issue falls on the league regarding tents and blocking the line of sight for cameras and fans. 

 

Edit: Just to be clear, when you say I am incorrect and the heart of the conversation is about the shade from the roof, the post you quoted me on was from me saying that the Bills could not prevent the Dolphins from using heaters or heated benches. What you quoted me on wasn't a topic of conversation for the OP I was quoting or my response. 

For player safety concerns, the league needs to figure out how to manage Miami better. Full stop. I don't think they are going to ever allow a fully tarped sideline and adding any roof protection would take too much time and too much money to push through and have installed for the next season. @Richard Noggin suggested that Miami plays the first few weeks of the season at 4:30 only. This is likely the most implementable immediate solution. 

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by Mango

[Matt_In_NH]

Is there a rule against Josh Allen throwing on the sidelines now?