FedEx Field locker rooms lose water after Giants-Commanders game
The New York Giants and Washington Commanders players made an unfortunate discovery upon returning to the locker rooms after the final whistle. A failure by the FedEx Field water heater meant that neither the victors (the Giants) nor the losers (the Commanders) could shower after the 31-19 game.
“We had an equipment failure in the main water heater that provides hot water to the field level locker rooms,” a Commanders official said after the game, via Adam Schefter. “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.”
Without showers, the flight home for the Giants will be a bit unpleasant, but it could have been worse – at least they found a way to win. New York’s rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito took nine sacks from the Commanders defense but completed 69% of his passes and threw three touchdown passes in the win.
The water heater issue is just the latest inconvenience at FedEx Field. Two seasons ago, Washington fans shared a viral video from inside FedEx Field, which showed a pipe bursting and leaking all over the heads of fans seated beneath it. The team later provided an update that the leaking was “rain water,” not sewage.
Fight breaks out after hit on Commanders’ Sam Howell
The Washington Commanders and New York Giants clashed after free safety Xavier McKinney delivered a late hit on quarterback Sam Howell. While trailing the Giants 14-3 in the second quarter, Howell rushed in a spectacular run.
However, after crossing the goal line, the Giants’ defense bounced him backward and play continued. Refusing to go down, Howell stayed on the run, rushing toward the left side of the field.
After McKinney tossed him to the ground, Howell’s fellow commanders launched themselves around his downed body. As expected, words and blows were exchanged. When the dust settled, Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel and Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott were ejected from the game.
Meanwhile, Howell headed to the Commanders’ injury tent to be examined. He returned to the field shortly after. It’s no surprise to see Howell’s teammates fiercely defend him. In just 11 starts, Howell has become the hope of a franchise.
“We’re always telling Sam to keep his eyes downfield, and then there’s hot spots that we’re trying to hit when those scramble drills are taking place,” Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said last week, according to The Washington Post. “Those are the things that you love, because there’s growth.
“He hates to lose, he hates to be wrong, but he’s never going to let you see that frustration come out in him. In fact, he’d be a great poker player.”
On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.