The field the Chargers play on has gotten far more national attention than the 8-8 team over the past two weeks.
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The playoff game against the Colts will be the fourth nationally televised game at Qualcomm Stadium in 12 days. It started with the Poinsettia Bowl on December 23rd, then the Chargers last regular season game against the Broncos, and two days later, the Holiday Bowl.
Throw into the mix a December when San Diego saw more than double the normal rainfall, and it's been a lot of work with not a lot of turnaround time for the grounds crew.
"We've got guys that have been working through the holidays, overnights, around the clock," said Mike McSweeney, stadium manager at the Q.
McSweeney says additional crew members have been added. The field has also been re-sodded within the past three weeks. Certain sections were then replaced again more recently because of all the painted logos on the field.
Despite all the work, after the Poinsettia Bowl, one coach was quoted complaining about the field conditions, calling it slippery.
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McSweeney said he never heard any complaints, and called his crew one of the best in the country.
"I've been told by our tenants that they absolutely are totally thrilled with our playing surface. The players enjoy it and it's not just the way it looks, it's the playability," he said.
The day before the game crews worked to finish painting the field so it could be covered overnight. The National Weather Service is calling for a 30% chance of showers on gameday. McSweeney said the field will stay covered as long as possible, but workers may still need to do some touch-up work before the game.
"This is what we do," he says. "It's football season."
