Bills-Steelers game delayed after snow plows pile up mounds of rubber pellets

The Bills’ grounds crew attempted to clear the snow from the field but created another problem.

The beginning of the second half of Sunday’s Bills-Steelers game was delayed for about 10 minutes due to poor field conditions. 

During halftime, crews attempted to clear snow from the field but the plows scooped up large amounts of rubber pellets and deposited them on the edges of the field. The rubber is intended to soften the artificial surface. 

The officials were concerned that players could slip and injure themselves on the large piles of loose rubber and delayed the game until the field was cleared. 

The grounds crew used leaf blowers and shovels to clear the pellets from the field. 

Current situation #Bills #Steelers @WKBW pic.twitter.com/E3uRPyMCMK

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 11, 2016

Oh. pic.twitter.com/HuNsFq35FF

— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) December 11, 2016

The Bills issued a statement about the delay, explaining that the field was brushed too firmly. 

Bills issue statement on halftime delay that was caused by a "too firm" brushing of turf... https://t.co/LT1JegpR8m pic.twitter.com/dmhEYiXv7N

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) December 11, 2016

Players briefly returned to the locker room during the delay. 

The current artificial surface in Buffalo has been in place since 2011.