Frostbite Takes Toll on Chiefs Fans: Amputations After Frigid Playoff Game

In a harrowing aftermath of the frigid NFL playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, a Missouri hospital has revealed that some fans had to undergo amputations due to severe frostbite. The Research Medical Center in Kansas City treated dozens of people who suffered from frostbite during the 11-day cold snap in January, with 12 individuals requiring amputations, mostly involving fingers and toes.

The game, played on January 13th, 2024, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, was one of the coldest in NFL history. With temperatures plummeting to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 Celsius) and wind gusts creating a bone-chilling windchill of minus 27 degrees F (minus 33 C), the conditions were deemed “dangerously cold” by the National Weather Service.

Despite the warnings, the game went on as scheduled, shattering the record for the coldest game ever played at Arrowhead Stadium. Fans braved the bitter cold, armed with heated blankets and cardboard insulation for their feet, but for some, the consequences were severe.

Dr. Megan Garcia, the medical director of the Grossman Burn Center at Research, explained that frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 30 minutes in such extreme conditions, and even faster with the added factor of windchill.

The University of Kansas hospital also reported treating frostbite victims from the game, though they did not disclose any amputations.

The Chiefs’ playoff victory over the Dolphins came on the same day that another highly anticipated game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed due to a blizzard that dumped up to 2 feet (0.61 meters) of snow in New York, making travel to the game too dangerous.

While the Chiefs organization has not yet commented on the situation, the revelations from the Research Medical Center serve as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with attending outdoor events in extreme weather conditions.

As the hospital anticipates more surgeries in the coming weeks, the incident has sparked discussions about fan safety and the potential need for stricter guidelines or contingency plans for games played in such harsh environments.