The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are set to play in sub-freezing temperatures this Sunday at Soldier Field as a polar vortex descends upon the nation. As such, Bears head coach John Fox wants his players to be smart about their apparel.
Specifically, Fox wants his players to wear long sleeves to protect their arms from frostbite.
“I’ve told them the macho stuff’s all great, but there comes a point where people might question your intelligence,” Fox said, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com.
Of course, because perception is everything when it comes to being macho, there will be players who ignore Fox’s plea.
One such player is pass rusher Pernell McPhee.
“I ain’t wearing sleeves,” McPhee said. “As a defensive lineman, as a front-seven guy, as a guy who plays defense — I think it’s a sign of weakness. I ain’t wearing no sleeves. I don’t know about everybody else. I’m at war. I’m [in] combat. I ain’t got time to think about sleeves. I’m gonna go out there sleeveless, and that’s how I’m going to play.”
The forecast for Sunday’s game in Chicago will chill your soul. According to Weather.com. temperatures will dip down to minus-one degree hours before game time, and it’s going to feel like minus-20 with a hearty wind blowing through the Windy City.
Fans, players and coaches alike can expect a high temperature of one degree. ONE DEGREE!
But sure. Don’t cover your body.