Miami Dolphins' genius stadium design caused Minnesota Vikings to swelter in 120-degree heat Sunday
Thermometers indicated the Vikings' sideline was about 122 degrees, but on the other side of the field, it was more than 30 degrees cooler on the Dolphins' sideline.
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The FOX Sports broadcast of the Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins matchup Sunday afternoon highlighted the genius design of Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida.
Play-by-play commentator Kenny Albert was in the broadcast booth calling the Week 6 game from Miami, and as the second quarter was about to begin, the NFL on FOX cameras pointed out an interesting difference between each time's sideline.
"As we begin the second quarter, a 30-degree difference (between) visitor sideline, home sideline," Albert noted in the broadcast.
Thermometers indicated the Vikings' sideline was about 122 degrees, but on the other side of the field, it was a much more tolerable (but still hot) 90 degrees on the Dolphins' sideline – more than 30 degrees cooler.
This wasn't just a coincidence. It turns out that the engineers who designed Hard Rock Stadium in Miami had the home team's comfort level in mind.
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Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings defends against Raheem Mostert of the Miami Dolphins as he runs with the ball at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
(Joel Auerbach / Getty Images)
During a typical Sunday afternoon game in South Florida, the Miami Dolphins' sideline is shaded from direct sunshine because of the engineers' careful planning of the stadium's layout. The visiting team's sideline, however, is left to roast in the blazing-hot Florida sun.
This home-field advantage didn't work in the Dolphins' favor on Sunday, however, as the Vikings flew back to Minnesota with their fifth win of the season after their 24-16 victory over the Dolphins, who have now slipped to 3-3 with one-third of the NFL season already over.