There’s sure to be some exposed skin on the big, bad football players who take the field for the Seahawks-Vikings wildcard playoff game on Sunday. But it won’t be because they haven’t been offered the chance to wear specially designed gear to combat the expected record cold in Minneapolis.
According to USA Today Sports, players for both teams will be wearing undergarments from WSI Sports, a Minneapolis-based outfitter whose gear is made for football players who have to perform in extreme cold. Sunday’s game-time temperature is forecast to be around 0 degrees Fahrenheit at TCF Bank Stadium, which would make it one of the coldest games in NFL history.
Here's what the Vikes will wear to stay warm on Sunday – heat gear made by WSI Sports in Eagan. pic.twitter.com/UG4FJN3GCn
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) January 6, 2016
WSI owner and founder Joel Wiens told USA Today that players will have access to “long-sleeve compression shirts designed to wick away sweat, provide warmth, guard against the wind, and allow for full movement.” WSI is also supplying socks and glove liners.
The Seahawks previously used WSI gear during Super Bowl XLVIII when they faced the Denver Broncos outdoors at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. That 43-8 outcome might seem to demonstrate that Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and company can perform just fine with the added layer of weather protection.
