Lewand Explains How Ford Field Ended Up Host For Bills-Jets Game
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - With snow smothering Buffalo and the Bills scheduled to play a home game Sunday, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand reached out Wednesday to the Bills and to the league.
"I made first contact and just offered to help out in any way we could," Lewand said. "As things progressed with the storm and things progressed in Buffalo, we intensified those discussions, and here we are."
The NFL and the Bills took Lewand and the Lions up on their offer, moving the scheduled game between Buffalo and the New York Jets to Monday night at Ford Field.
"For us, it's about the partnership of the NFL," Lewand said. "It's about 32 teams who work together Monday through Saturday and then try to beat each other up on Sunday, and this is a way for us to be able to help out."
Lewand said the 50/50 raffle at the Monday night game will be donated to the Red Cross of Buffalo to help people of that city who are in need.
"It's something I don't think those of us who haven't been through it can really appreciate," Lewand said. 'I know there's a lot of people enduring a lot of hardship there. As I said earlier, our thoughts go to them. Hopefully there's some things we can do through this process to help ... I know it's been tough, and the football game pales in comparison to what they're going through."
Lewand would not comment on whether Ford Field might also be a possible venue if the Bills need an alternate location for their home game Nov. 30. The Lions play on Thursday next week, on Thanksgiving, so the stadium could be available that Sunday.