The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals under challenging weather conditions. With temperatures in Santa Clara expected to soar to 100 degrees, the 49ers had requested permission to switch to cooling white jerseys.
Extreme Weather Conditions
In response to the extreme heat, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the team would wear white pants paired with their throwback uniforms, a strategic move to help combat the sweltering conditions. Shanahan also revealed that the Cardinals had sought to change their red home jerseys to white but were similarly refused by the league.
As kickoff approaches, temperatures are projected to be in the high 90s, making the game conditions particularly uncomfortable for players on both sides. The 49ers' uniform change may be their best effort to manage the heat during the contest. However, the NFL denied their appeal to switch from red to white uniforms.
We asked on Monday, and we weren't allowed to do it. You had to [request] it before the season started. So in order for us to do it, we've kind of got to make like a conscious decision or a commitment before the year that we wear all whites until like the middle of October or whatever, and then go to normal. But it's not usually this hot, so we'll probably do that now just in case," Shanahan said via 49ers Webzone.
To avoid future problems, the 49ers may decide to open the season in white jerseys. They can wear throwback outfits with red jerseys and white trousers instead of gold, but the league refused their proposal.
"Yeah, they'll let us do our throwbacks, just alternate it with other ones, so we'll get as much white on as possible. And the most we possibly can do is white pants, so hopefully, it helps a little." Shanahan added.
An excessive heat warning is in effect around Levi's Stadium until Saturday at 11 p.m. PT, with 88 degrees as the highest previous temperature for a game. The Cardinals are protected from Arizona's heat by State Farm Stadium's roof, but San Francisco faces a disadvantage due to a warming world.
