Buffalo officials have refuted claims made by Chiefs offensive lineman Donovan Smith that the hot water was shut off following their playoff game on Sunday night. A representative for the city stated that the allegations are “false,” countering Smith’s public accusation on social media after the Chiefs’ victory over the Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Key Takeaway
Buffalo officials have denied the claims made by Chiefs player Donovan Smith regarding the shut-off of hot water at Highmark Stadium, stating that the allegations are false. The city’s response emphasized that there is no way to selectively turn off the hot water, attributing any issues to high demand following the game.
City’s Response to Allegations
A spokesperson for Erie County, which owns Highmark Stadium, addressed the situation on Monday morning, stating that the team and its officials did not shut off the hot water. Erie County Press Secretary Peter Anderson emphasized that there is no way to turn off the hot water on one side or the other, as both the home and away locker rooms are fed by two huge hot water tanks. Anderson also suggested that any issues the Chiefs experienced were likely due to high demand following the frigid game. He explained that continuous water usage can lead to struggles in keeping up with the demand, despite recent upgrades to the hot water systems in the locker rooms.
Additional Grievances
Aside from the alleged hot water incident, the Chiefs also faced another issue following their victory, as they were reportedly pelted by snowballs from angry fans. However, despite these challenges, a video from inside the team’s locker room showed that the players were seemingly unfazed, as they celebrated their triumph on the path to the AFC Championship.
