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The Buffalo Bills have finished installing one of the most eye-catching features of the new Highmark Stadium.
The team announced Wednesday that all three giant stainless steel bison statues are now in place in the Family Circle plaza outside the stadium, completing a project that has been years in the making.
In a video shared by the Bills, construction crews used a crane to carefully lower the towering 27-foot bull into position, finalizing the family of three sculptures that also includes a 22-foot cow and a 12-foot calf.
The Bills first unveiled renderings of the statues in March after years of fan speculation over whether the massive bison featured in early stadium designs would actually be built.
Created by artist Blessing Hancock, the statues are built around a steel frame with a stainless steel exterior. The installation is designed to represent the strength, resilience and family spirit of Buffalo and Bills Mafia.
The bull stands approximately 27 feet tall, stretches 29 feet long and weighs about 23,000 pounds. Together, the sculptures feature programmable lighting and carbon dioxide vapor effects that create the appearance of visible breath from the adult bison's nostrils during cold weather.
The Family Circle is a year-round gathering space outside the stadium's secure entrance. The plaza also features the Bills Legend Wall honoring members of the franchise's Wall of Fame and displays celebrating western New York history.
The organization officially opened the new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in June.
The Bills will host their Return of the Blue & Red practice on Aug. 8 and will hold an open practice on Aug. 18. Buffalo will play preseason home games at the new stadium on Aug. 15 and Aug. 27, and will play their first regular-season game there at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17 against the Detroit Lions.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills finish installing giant bison statues at new Highmark Stadium
