As the Arizona Cardinals prepare to take on four potential “cold-weather games” in the 2021 season, many have voiced their concern over the Cardinals having to play in the cold. It’s kind of getting out of hand in discussion all around the team as well. News flash: It’s not that big of a deal. Now I have to file a disclaimer because I did grow up in Wisconsin and I am used to it (and after going through the 2019 Polar Vortex where it hit -60 degrees, nothing is really cold to me anymore). However, I do not and have not seen it affect teams that badly myself unless the weather is historical for game time.
But that’s not what you’re here for. Do you want evidence? I’ll get you evidence. And when I do…oh wait, sorry that’s Kent Mansley’s famous scene from The Iron Giant. One of the most underrated movies of our time, but I digress. A lot of the mystique of cold weather games comes from the Lombardi-era Green Bay Packers and the epic Ice Bowl. NFL Films has also glorified it with the great voice of the late John Facenda (for you younger readers, watch this).
So there will be meteorological evidence that will give reasons to trust the Arizona Cardinals in cold weather. Because it’s not as bad as you think.