Ryan Fitzpatrick says friends raving about Highmark Stadium despite harsh critics: ‘Absolutely unbelievable’
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has pushed back on early criticism of the team's new Highmark Stadium, saying friends who have attended have given it glowing reviews. His comments come after the venue drew a mixed reception from fans following its first public appearances, offering a more positive counterpoint to the initial wave of criticism.
Fitzpatrick, who holds season tickets to the roughly $2 billion stadium, said feedback from those who had actually experienced the venue was far more enthusiastic than the early online reaction suggested. The Bills have so far tested the new ground with a preseason match against the Carolina Panthers and several open practices, giving fans their first proper look at the facility ahead of the regular season.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick defends new Highmark Stadium against early criticism.
- He says friends who attended found it "absolutely unbelievable."
- Stadium tested via a preseason game and open practices so far.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick spent 17 seasons in the NFL, including a stint with the Buffalo Bills, and remains closely tied to the franchise as a fan and season ticket holder. Highmark Stadium is the Bills' new home ground, a roughly $2 billion project intended to replace their previous stadium ahead of the current NFL season. Its opening has drawn attention both for the scale of the investment and for how it compares with the venue it replaces.
The stadium's first public tests came through a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and a number of open practice sessions, giving fans an early look before the season proper begins. Reaction online was mixed, with some criticism circulating about aspects of the new venue. Fitzpatrick's comments are a response to that criticism, citing more positive impressions from friends who attended in person.
The story matters chiefly to Bills fans and the wider NFL audience following how a major, publicly and privately funded stadium project is being received as it opens. It also touches on the broader question of how new sports venues are judged, since first impressions from limited test events can shape public perception well before a full season of use.