The Buffalo Bills' new Highmark Stadium was seen for the first time by fans in recent weeks, and the reception of the venue hasn't been the brightest.
But former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is hearing differently.
The Bills have played one preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and held open practices at the new Highmark Stadium, the NFL franchise's new $2.2 billion home. New stadiums are always exciting for fans to see, but critics came out in droves on social media.
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Posts showing obstructed views from some seats, complaints about sightlines and even early criticism from players about the grass field’s condition have quickly turned what could have been a warm reception cold.
However, Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital that he’s had friends take his season tickets to the stadium for the first preseason game, and he heard glowing reviews.
"As it was being constructed, I was there right before they put the grass in, so it’s been a while," Fitzpatrick said, while highlighting his partnership with VRST, the men's activewear and apparel brand from DICK'S Sporting Goods. "Everybody has their opinions. It could be the opinion of 14 people versus the opinion of 59,000 people. So, I rely on the people that I know and love the best.
"A few of my neighbors that I talk to that have been to the games, because they’ve sat in my season tickets. They did the [open practice] scrimmage, and then I had some that also did the first preseason game against Carolina. Everything that I’ve heard from the experience from parking to walking into the stadium, to the food, the sight lines — it’s absolutely unbelievable. I’m excited to get my own eyes on it and get my own experience of it."
One of the knocks on the new stadium has been its seating capacity. The new Highmark Stadium has 10,000 fewer seats than the old venue.
However, Fitzpatrick believes it's going to be advantageous for the Bills in the long run.
"What I know is it’s 10,000 less seats. It’s 60,000 people, but I think for the opponent that comes in there, it’s going to feel even louder," he explained. "People are on top of you. You got the canopy, so noise is going to be bouncing off the canopy. I’m excited to feel the energy in that new stadium, especially in their season opener against Detroit."
Fitzpatrick and the Prime Video "Thursday Night Football" crew will be in Buffalo on Sept. 17 for the Bills' home opener in Week 2. It will be there Fitzpatrick can finally see the finished product.
Will the reception be better by then? Will the field be better for the players?
One anonymous Bills player told The Athletic, "The field a-- right now. But it’s early." But linebacker Dorian Williams said differently.
‘The grass looked good. It was cool," he said to the same outlet. "A couple spots kind of chunked up a little bit, but it’s better than playing on turf."
COOL AND COMFORTABLE WITH VRST
In the coming months, Fitzpatrick will be all over with the "Thursday Night Football" crew providing his best analysis on the featured early game of the NFL schedule. It's quite the active lifestyle, especially when he also has to throw in his family duties on top of that.
Fitzpatrick partnered with VRST because of how well he feels the activewear's performance and style fit exactly what he's going to be doing no matter what the day throws his way.
"For me, the authenticity of it — it just captures my vibe," he said. "It’s not just the resort wear, it’s the active lifestyle stuff. The Limitless pants — there’s a lot of stuff that I’m pulled in a lot of different directions whether it’s running to a kid’s soccer game, or driving a carpool, or flying somewhere for ‘Thursday Night Football.’ All the different things I do, to be able to look good and feel comfortable, I think those are the two biggest things for me that made this a no-brainer for this partnership.
"It fits my active lifestyle and it actually looks good."
Fitzpatrick is known for his vibrant colors and patterns with his TNF fits, which VRST is helping him out with this season. But no matter the occasion, he knows he has options that will be comfortable, while also showcasing that evolved men's style fit for today.
"You can wear it in so many different situations. That’s the biggest thing for me," he said. "I’ll have people come up to me and ask me about the shirts, or ask me about the pants. Look, I just got off a plane, I’ve been flying all morning. I feel comfortable. I’m standing out here at a soccer practice in the same thing feeling great and looking great."