FedEx Field is not considered one of the NFL’s most glamorous stadiums and what happened after the Giants defeated the Washington Commanders on Sunday won’t help that image.
A mechanical issue with the stadium’s main water heater meant there was no hot water in either team’s locker room, preventing players from a hot postgame shower.
The Commanders confirmed the issue in a statement to various media outlets after the game.
“We had an equipment failure in the main water heater that provides hot water to the field level locker rooms,” a Commanders spokesperson told Pro Football Talk in a statement. “We can’t resolve the matter without completely shutting off the water to the stadium, which is why it couldn’t be repaired in game.”
3 KJ Henry (55) of the Washington Commanders sacks Tommy DeVito (15) of the New York Giants. Getty Images
3 FedEx Field Getty Images
The Giants, who picked up their third win of the year on Sunday, opted to jump in an ice-cold shower after the game, which they weren’t too pleased about, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
FedEx Field opened back in 1997 and is often criticized as one of the worst stadiums in the NFL.
In fact, USA Today called it the worst stadium in the league in a 2022 ranking.
Questions about the playing surface have been raised in the past and there have been other issues with the facility.
3 Saquon Barkley (26) recorded 140 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Getty Images
A pipe burst during the first game of the 2021 season, pouring an unidentified liquid onto fans sitting beneath it.
In 2022, a railing gave way and sent several fans leaning up against it falling onto the field, nearly hitting Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.
There were no injuries, but it led Hurts to criticize the stadium and Washington organization.
While the Giants were clearly unhappy about having to take a cold shower, they were surely happy to leave with a 31-19 win over the Commanders to snap their three-game losing streak.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy Devito went 18-for-26 for 246 yards and three touchdown passes, while the Giants defense created five turnovers which included three interceptions.
