Tomorrow’s Browns versus Bears game will be played in brutal conditions. The air temperature will be in the low teens, with the wind chill dropping it below zero. While these conditions can certainly impact the outcome of a game, I believe that football is a sport meant to be played outdoors, in the elements.
Renderings of the new Browns stadium, set to be built in the suburb of Brook Park, portray it every bit impressive as the domes built in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Atlanta. I think the owners behind these stadiums missed the point though. Football is inherently an outdoor sport. From a late summer game played in scorching heat, to a fall game with a sunset, football looses some of its luster when played indoors.
Some of my favorite games have been played in the cold and snow. Last year’s game against the Steelers is a prime example of why there should be no domed NFL stadiums. In blizzard like conditions, Jameis Winston led the Browns to an improbable win over the then 8-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. Snow angels were made by Browns and Steelers players during celebrations. I have never had so much fun watching an NFL game.
Many of the most famous NFL games have been played in harsh weather. Browns legend Jim Brown’s last game was played in the mud vs the Packers. The Freezer bowl was played in 1982 by the Browns southern Ohio rivals the Bengals against the San Diego Chargers in -59 wind chill. I will never forget seeing Calvin Johnson’s helmet full of snow during a game against the Eagles in 2013. I can only speculate that every team that plays in a colder climate has the upper hand against a team not accustomed to it.
There is an upside to a dome. Fans can be comfortable without having to deal with the heat, cold, or rain. Field goals will not be missed due to high winds. Field conditions will never be put into question because of rain or snow. These may be factors that went into the Browns deciding to build a domed stadium. I just don’t see how the pros outweigh the cons. Getting rid of a home field advantage, as well as robbing fans of memorable experiences, doesn’t seem worth it.
I am sure money was a factor as well. The chance to build not only a stadium but an entire entertainment complex proved too lucrative for Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. I can’t help but wish it would have worked out differently.
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