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Pat McAfee issues verdict on unique feature outside new $2.2bn NFL stadium – ‘lot of conjecture’
The Buffalo Bills have welcomed the first of three new additions to their family, alongside their new stadium.
Just a stone’s throw away from their old Highmark Stadium, final preparations are currently underway for their new home.
Their new, state-of-the-art $2.2bn stadium will officially open its doors on September 17, when they host the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season.
Over 60,000 fans will be able to pack in and the Bills will not lose their home-field advantage with the field still exposed to the elements.
The grass playing surface will be heated from below when necessary, however, and a canopy will protect most supporters from rain and snow, while creating a micro-climate.
Designed by global design firm Populous, and the help of a Bills legend, it will be slightly smaller than 71,000-seater Highmark, but the people inside will be treated to a superior experience.
Bills welcome first of three buffalo statues outside new stadium
Exteriorly, the Bills are making sure that their new home is as menacing as possible.
Earlier this year, the Bills released renderings of three bison statues crafted with a steel substructure and a stainless-steel outer layer.
Crews began installing the first statue, the calf, which is 12 feet tall and 13 feet long (the smallest of the three statues) this week.
The bull will be 27 feet tall and 29 feet long, making it more than four times quarterback Josh Allen‘s height, and the cow will be 22 feet tall and 23 feet long.
At night, the statues will come to life with five programmable lighting systems, and the bull and cow have been designed to emit smoke through their nostrils.
“These striking sculptures will serve as a powerful visual representation of the strength and resilience of the Buffalo community, embodying the spirit that defines both the team and the city,” a statement from the Bills said.
Pat McAfee says Bills have done excellent job with bison statues
It is not known when the remaining two statues will be united with the youngest of the pack.
When constructed, it is likely to be one of the more unique attractions across the league, and it’s fair to say that Pat McAfee is a fan.
“There has been a lot of conjecture around the size of a Buffalo that is placed outside the Buffalo Bills brand new stadium,” McAfee said.
“We all assume that the budget for these things is never ending, we understand that everyone is trying to build a new modern marvel, they all look like spaceships.
“When the Buffalo Bills announced they were building a new stadium directly across the street from their old stadium, everybody was excited about the idea, and then they said, we are going to put some Bison out front.
“All anyone reacted with was this better not be little baby, b**** *** Bison, these things need to be big.
“We got eyes on the first Bison, we believe there will be three. A daddy Bison, a mommy Bison and then a baby Bison. We have not been told exactly which one this is – but if that’s the little one, you did it well done.
“If there is a daddy and a mommy coming around the bend, I cannot wait to see the fleet.”
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