Posted on 01/05/2014 8:27:31 PM PST by Dave346
Perhaps you've heard it's going to be cold during today's Green Bay Packers game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Perhaps you've also heard that "cold" is an understatement. Weather.com says it will feel like -17 degrees during the heart of the game.
In weather like that, the beer in the stands can freeze before it's consumed. In weather like that, your hands go numb, your chest tightens, and just breathing the air can cause a burning sensation. It's just not weather designed for human beings.
And, yet, they will play football in this weather, because the NFL doesn't cancel games that are too cold.
And crazier still, many of the people playing in today's game will be out there in short sleeves, thin spandex pants, a jock strap, some pads, a t-shirt, a helmet, socks, shoes, and nothing else.
Why do NFL players refuse to wear sleeves, even when it's dangerously cold out?
Former Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo has a great story up at Fox about he dealt with the cold weather.
Here's his explanation of why players don't wear sleeves:
One of the game-day rules for the Bears and Ravens -- and I would imagine any mentally tough team -- is that there are no long sleeves allowed under your jersey. That reinforces a mentally tough state of mind and it also is used as an intimidator to the opposing team, like a gorilla pounding on his chest in jungle saying "look at me I don't need sleeves in the cold."
But, let's just say you're not an insane person. You're not scared to wear sleeves. What happens to you? You'll probably get crap from some teammates. But at least you won't freeze to death.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
I member when us younguns had to walk 10 miles to and 10 miles back from school every day, uphill both ways through 3 feet of snow in minus 20 degree temps and minus 50 degree wind chills with the wind always in our faces with no coats, hats, or shoes. We wasn’t no sissies!
I think Joe Namath used to wear pantyhose under his uniform in cold-weather games. Wouldn’t be surprised if many other players did the same.
Warmskin. Stuff is expensive! Can’t cost that much to make. They need some competition.
Wanna look tough? Wear shorts. Spray water on your bare skin and soak your jersey, pants, and shoes. Don’t wear the cape on the sidelines.
I think I saw more Packers in long sleeves than Niners! Vince Lombardi would never have approved of that!!!
Lombardi had huge heaters by the bench for players in the Ice Bowl. What a wimp.
“Why NFL Players Don’t Wear Sleeves Even In Dangerously Cold Games.”
Most are under 30 and still think that they are bullet proof and there is no such thing as too hot or too cold.
The ones I knew like that in my lifetime often never made it past their 50’s.
The worst thing they could do in that weather is to get sweaty. Better to feel a little cold than to get the body wet and risk hypothermia.
“I think I saw more Packers in long sleeves than Niners! Vince Lombardi would never have approved of that!!!”
Under Armor makes some incredible tight fitting shirts and underpants that are labeled Cold Gear when you are in the cold or Heat Gear when you are in extreme heat.
I combine them with a Simms undergarment, and they can keep the cold out. You need a good cap or ski mask type to keep your body heat from escaping out your scalp.
The Vikings had the best home field advantage in football at the old Metropolitan Stadium, especially since Bud Grant wouldn’t allow heaters on the sideline. Some teams were beaten before the ball was ever kicked off back in the day.
The short sleeves go way back. It had to do with the old baggy type shirts and the linemen could get hold of them and swing the other lineman out of the way. Thus, they quit wearing them so they could not get a grip. That is also why the jersies of the linemen are two or three sizes smaller than them and look so tight. To keep the other linemen from grabbing on and throwing them aside.
How things have changed. I saw in yesterday's pre-game show that the NFL top mgmt is totally in charge of field conditions, tarps, etc.
They are in complete charge of the entire playing surface, including who may and may not walk near it before the game. It’s unreal.
and the NINERS did it back in 88-89 in the playoffs against the BEARS... in Chicago... all we heard on the West Coast was how they would have a hard time against the Bears in that cold weather... 17 degrees, -26 windchill factor... NINERS won 28-3... as a NINER fan, i was not concerned about the weather yesterday... i didn't think the game would be decided because of that... afterall, it's FOOTBALL! :)
and neither did any of the players who went sleeveless...
If I understood the announcers correctly, the players changed in to dry uniforms and clothing at halftime.
Some of the old time coaches like Bud Grant and Chuck Noll didn't even allow sideline heaters, let alone heated benches.
Those guys would have been intimidating if they were dressed in burkas. That was one tough bunch.
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