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 watched an interview with Jim Marshal, he explained how the old Met stadium turf had steam pipes that ran down the hash lines to defrost the turf. Bud Grant and the coaches designed their passing plays to use the thawed areas and they designed their defense to keep opponents inside on the frozen turf.
He also talked about the Vikings players on the sidelines without heat, in their short sleeves, gazing at the Odin statue near the scoreboard chanting “Odin, Odin, Odin...”. Really freaked-out their opponents!
Of course, the Purple People Eaters of those days had talent enough to put an opponent pretty much where they wanted them to go. But that’s interesting about the steam pipes. I never knew that.
Those were great days. Teams would come up here in December to play and they’d just wilt.
Did you know that most top tier college defenses now weigh more then the 85 Bears?
Thanks for the update. Sorry to here the Refer is not doing well. Those ‘85 Bears were a riot huh? What a various group of wild personalities all on the same time!
When I see films about the various teams in NFL history, the 85 Bears are the ones I enjoy the most. A lot of teams they show were very businesslike off the field.
An old timer quarterback named Bobby Layne with the Detroit Lions in the 1950’s, (And some other team after that but I do not remember whom), was a kinda wild guy like Jim Mac. of the Bears. But I agree with you that ‘85 Bears team was great to follow, (probably because I felt they were a party outfit like those Lions), and pull for against the old line layed back NFL teams then. Remember that screwball video dancing thing they made? damn, now that was funny!!
Oh yeah, the Super Bowl Shuffle.
Interesting Super Bowl Fact, the starting QB for the New England Patriots (Tony Eason), is the only starting QB with negative passing yardage in Super Bowl history.
Jack Lambert played at 220lbs, running backs are bigger than that now.
I think its the steroids they're feeding cows.
Yeah? Well Joe Namath wore pantyhose to keep him warm and that’s a fact!!!
“Yeah? Well Joe Namath wore pantyhose to keep him warm and that’s a fact!!!”
That was over 40 years ago.
Under Armor cold gear undies and Simm’s similar products weren’t even an idea yet. Maybe a dream.
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