The Cincinnati Bengals could be facing an NFL punishment after a “violation” before the team’s AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to NFL rules, provided by Pro Football Talk, the Bengals should have cleared the snow from seats at the game – something the team clearly didn’t do when pregame photos and videos started to emerged.
“Each home club is responsible for having a snow removal plan in place and ensuring that its stadium has adequate snow removal equipment available. Snow and ice must be removed from the stadium before all games,” the NFL’s playing field specifications state. “This applies to the playing field, sidelines, seating bowl, aisles, pedestrian ramps, walkways, parking lots, etc. This also applies to the sidelines; snow may not be pushed into piles and remain against stadium walls so that it interferes with standard game or sideline operations.”
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In a statement provided to Pro Football Talk, the Bengals said, “Seat aisles were prioritized and are in good shape. Seats are easily wiped off and ushers are equipped to help there.”
Video from just before the game showed seats still covered in a thick blanket of snow.
“A look at a brutally cold Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, where there is ice on the field and snow on the seats for Ravens at Bengals. The current temperature is 3 degrees with a minus-13 wind chill,” Ravens reporter Jamison Henley noted.
Other fans at the game weren’t too pleased with the lack of effort on the part of the Bengals organization.
“Paycor Stadium has some seats covered in snow. Not a big deal But maybe we can clean the snow and ice in the handicap section,” one fan suggested.
Cincinnati and Baltimore’s showdown can be found on CBS.
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