In preparation for the NFL regular season opener which will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the stadium’s ground crew is anticipated to require extra work this weekend for the field cleanup from the previous Major League Soccer (MLS) game.
Sunday’s game at the venue will see the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns, and therefore the ground crew is expected to complete the field.
Since there has been a forecast for heavy rain throughout the weekend in the Charlotte area, the work for the ground crew will be even more challenging.
According to reports, the organization also painted the lines for both sporting events before the weekend game. The yellow and white paint that was applied to the synthetic surface is used for the soccer lines.
The yellow MLS lines were reportedly removed after the game between Charlotte FC and New York City FC, so the lines won’t impact NFL games.
In response, Tepper Sports and Entertainment said in a statement released on Friday that the conflicting colors are unavoidable given the weather.
“This is not ideal, but it is inevitable given the weather forecast,” said. “We never want our soccer field to have soccer lines, but we’re grateful to be able to play both games this weekend.”
The head of field operations for UNC-Chapel Hill, golf principal groundsmen, former major and minor league baseball groundsmen and eight additional groundsmen were all added to help the stadium get ready for the weekend game, according to a previous report.
Given the weather forecast for the upcoming Panthers-Browns game, the crew is considering different options for painting the end zones and center field.
The Panthers reportedly sought advice on best practices from NFL teams from New England and Seattle since those groups also host MLS teams in their stadiums.
Things to watch on Sunday’s game
Ben McAdoo, the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, explained on Thursday that his team is paying closer attention to its breathing pattern.
“I think breathing is important,” he said. “We need to focus on our breathing, slow our breathing down, and it will be contagious the rest of the week.”
Meanwhile, Ikem Ekwonu’s NFL debut will take place against Myles Garrett in the game on Sunday. Garrett is a well-known pass rusher who finished in the top three in sacks in 2021.
More on the Browns’ side, Jacoby Brissett is also expected to start at quarterback. Throughout his seven-year career, Brissett has mainly played a backup position. However, the results of Brissett’s preseason play have been inconsistent as most recently, he finished 13 of his 23 pass attempts for 109 yards.
One of the Panthers’ captains, Baker Mayfield, anticipated reuniting with the Browns on Sunday.
“Football is a violent, very emotional, passionate sport, and that’s the way I’ve always played it,” Mayfield said.
“I’m not going to change that. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a great storyline – it really is – because I wasn’t expected to be out of Cleveland. But after Week 1, there are 16 more that really, really matter. That’s how I’m approaching it,” he concluded.