Donovan Smith, an offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, has claimed that Highmark Stadium turned off the hot water for the visiting team following their 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday.
Smith took to social media to make this accusation shortly after the AFC Divisional Round win.
However, a press secretary representing Erie County, which owns Highmark Stadium, promptly denied Smith’s claim in a statement provided to TMZ.
“This is false. There is no way to turn hot water off on one side or the other. There are two huge hot water tanks which feed both home and away locker rooms.”
The statement suggested that any issues faced by the Kansas City Chiefs were likely a result of the heavy usage of facilities after playing a night game in frigid, below-freezing conditions.
Prior to the alleged hot water issue, Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs players found themselves under a barrage of snowballs thrown by disgruntled Bills fans. Linebacker Drue Tranquill even taunted the fans on social media in response to the snowball barrage.
Kansas City’s victory over Buffalo marked their sixth consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship Game, having eliminated the Bills for the third time in the last four years.
As they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the Chiefs will undoubtedly hope for not only a win but also functioning hot water facilities.
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