Photos show poor field conditions at site of Chiefs-Rams game, but Reid isn’t concerned
Update (4 p.m. Tuesday): The NFL has decided to move the Chiefs-Rams game to LA.
Update (8:30 a.m. Tuesday): ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL is expected to hold a previously scheduled meeting Tuesday at Azteca Stadium to examine the playing surface and decide if Monday night’s game can be played there. If it can’t, he reports, it will be moved to Los Angeles.
According to Schefter’s reports, the NFL is determined to play the game in Mexico City.
“We are working closely with the field manager at Azteca Stadium and others to ensure that we have an NFL-quality surface for our game, and we are looking forward to kicking off in Mexico City on Monday night,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to ESPN.
Original story: Despite photos that show concerning field conditions at Azteca Stadium, Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t concerned about the playing surface in Mexico City.
“I’ve seen them, but I think the NFL, they’re on top of it,” Reid said Monday morning, a week before the Chiefs take on the Rams in the international event. “They do a great job with all that stuff. So I’m not really worried about all that.”
According to a report from NBC’s Peter King, NFL officials were in Mexico City to evaluate the playing surface — a combination of turf and grass — that has been significantly damaged from the region’s rainy season and the multitude of soccer games and concerts held on the field.
But Reid didn’t show any signs of worry when asked about it on Monday. Instead, he focused on the positives that will come from the experience of playing in a different country.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Reid said of playing in Mexico City. “Great people there. The fan base is phenomenal. I think if you ask both teams the same question, we’re fired up to have an opportunity to play there. It’s really based around the people and the support that the people give us, give the National Football League.”
Brooke Pryor
Brooke Pryor covers the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for The Star.
This story was originally published November 12, 2018 at 1:44 PM.