Shovelers Clear 25 Million Pounds of Snow From FedEx Field

Snow problem

And you thought clearing your driveway was difficult. Several hundred men -- and more than a few women -- are working here at the massive stadium, armed with snow shovels.

They're moving the snow out of the seats and into the aisles, where it's put on a chute and sent down to the field. From there, dump trucks haul the snow out of the stadium.

Jesus Hernandez is supervising one of the crews. "I actually feel proud when I see the reports and I see the guys playing on the field, knowing that we're part of this," says Hernandez. "It's a good feeling."

This is truly back-breaking labor, so finding ways to keep morale up is important. Hernandez says he treats his snow shovelers like the Redskin coaches treat their players. "I mean, that works. It's like, 'Let's go guys, come on, let's do this.'"

The Redskins face off against the New York Giants tonight at a hopefully snow-free FedEx Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

The Baltimore Ravens spent $500,000 to clear the snow at M&T Bank Stadium before its game against the Chicago Bears Sunday. About 1,700 people pitched in.

The Morgan Boulevard Metro Station will remain open an hour later to accomodate the crowd expected to attend the Redskins game at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The last Blue Line train bound for Franconia-Springfield will leave Morgan Boulevard at 12:27 a.m. Additional trains will be in service at the end of the game, and in case of overtime, Metro will make sure trains are still available for fans to get home. Riders can expect delays along above ground tracks. 

Listen to the complete story at wamu.org.

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