NFL Satisfied With TCF Bank Stadium
By Esme Murphy, WCCO-TV and Adam Thomas, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The NFL appears satisfied that TCF Bank Stadium can host a Minnesota Vikings-Chicago Bears game on Monday night.
NFL Senior Vice President Eric Grubman was among the league and team officials who toured TCF Bank Stadium Thursday.
"We are confident this game can be played," Grubman told Michele Tafoya on Newsradio 830 WCCO.
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Grubman said after the tour, he's impressed with the stadium.
"My expectations were exceeded when I drove up. It's a beautiful place and they are working very hard to get it ready for the game," he said.
Both the Bears and Vikings have expressed concerns about the unheated playing surface and the potential for injuries on such a hard, frozen field, but Grubman said, so far, it's looking good.
"It's under snow but we've uncovered some of it and it looks great," Grubman said.
The plan now is to cover the field with a tarp and place heaters under it. Over time, the heaters will evaporate any remaining moisture.
"And they're very confident it can work because it works all the time in lots of stadiums," said Grubman.
Grubman also quashed various media reports that alternate sites in Atlanta and Indianapolis are being considered as backup venues.
No additional temporary seats are going to be added to TCF Bank Stadium.
"And it's going to be an absolutely terrific night in a terrific stadium," Grubman said.
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