Do you want to help the Buffalo Bills reach the Super Bowl? Grab a shovel.

By 2 p.m. Friday, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY, home of the Buffalo Bills, was covered in snow. Mountains of white powder lay high in the stadium, obscuring the signs from view, burying the seats and blocking the tunnels leading from the locker rooms to the field.

But the Bills, who face the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the National Football League playoffs on Sunday, had a plan.

They asked their fans for help creating.

Ethan Cuddihy, 23, a Buffalo native and lifelong Bills fan, was more than willing. The team's beloved quarterback, Josh Allen, had already given him so much; it was only right that Mr Cuddihy returned the favour, he said.

And there was even more motivation: The Bills offered to pay $20 an hour to any fan who came to help shovel.

Mr. Cuddihy reasoned, using what might playfully be called “boy math,” that the hard work had helped offset the high price of his Sunday ticket: $200. By his count, he had earned about $90. In other words: he now went to the play-offs for half price.

Daryll Bernard, 29, said he thought his daily wage would only cover a few drinks during Sunday's game. But he wanted to be part of the unique experience.

“Having to dig out your neighbor and stuff like that, that's just part of Buffalo,” he said.

Fans of all kinds answered the call Friday and lined up outside Highmark Stadium, ready to get to work. Some cheered and whistled; others waited quietly, shovels in hand.

Jenny Chazen, 56, and her friends stood in line after a morning of skiing at nearby Kissing Bridge Ski Resort. She said the man next to her in line was from Toronto. Another man, Daniel Weatherholt, 38, was driving about 80 miles from Rochester.

“We want to help win the Super Bowl,” Mr. Weatherholt said. “It feels good to contribute, even if I'm not on the field. It helps.”

Andy Major, the Buffalo Bills' vice president of operations and guest experience, said the team had relied on fans to clear the stadium since the team first moved there in 1972. Snow is literally part of it, he said: so there must be a plan to remove it in time for game day. Fans drive plows, shovel, use snow blowers, spread salt and in many cases scoop up the snow with their bare hands. Whatever works.

When the Bills know the workload will be too much for their regular staff, they call for help.

Ms Chazen said she was “astounded” that the organization had not come up with a plan involving regular staff. But while the Bills could hire additional professional help, they could be missing something else.

“Bills Mafia at home is always going to give you a lot more momentum, especially when they're shoveling snow two days early for an extra $20 an hour,” said Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, using the term Bills fans have accepted. for themselves, on his podcast 'New Heights' prior to his matchup with the Bills on Sunday.

Tim Lovallo, a lifelong Buffalo resident, also pointed out that snow in Buffalo can be unpredictable, which would make it difficult to have professional crews available. The fans, on the other hand, are ready to grab the shovel and get going.

“Before I went online, I suspected they would just be people looking to make some pocket money,” Mr. Lovallo, 70, said. “But I found out that almost everyone there was a fan of the team who saw it as their civic duty.”

So many dutiful Bills fans showed up Friday that lines snaked through the stadium for hours. Mr Lovallo said he gave up after waiting in line for about 45 minutes. Others waited until three o'clock. Mr Major, the team manager, said he had expected at least 200 fans but the number had been at least double that.

“This is the most fans we've had for as long as I can remember,” Mr Major said. “It further shows how we are so close in this community.”

As the day progressed, Hot Pockets and pizza slices were passed around to weary workers as the snow continued to swirl. As the first team of volunteers trudged back to their cars, a new wave of enthusiastic shovelers passed them by. Most wore Bills gear or colors, but at least one person came in a fuzzy zip-up romper. One daredevil arrived in a Kansas City jersey, though he was quickly exposed as a Buffalo native just looking for some drama.

Mr Cuddihy said he hoped this wouldn't be the last time fans had to prepare the stadium this season – meaning their beloved Bills would move closer to the Super Bowl.

“I could certainly do it any other time we need it,” he said. “Hopefully next week.”