The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to play the coldest game ever in the Steel City. Weather reports for Pittsburgh have arctic winds coming in and the already blustery temperatures will plummet as the Christmas weekend approaches. Right now, the kick-off temperature is set to be about seven degrees with wind chills well below zero.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Running back Tim Worley #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the football as he is pursued by safety Roland James #38 of the New England Patriots during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on December 17, 1989 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Patriots 28-10 / Photo Credit: AP Photo
Depending on exactly where the thermometer lands, it might be the coldest home game in the Steelers' history. The previous record was set on December 17, 1989, when the Steelers hosted the New England Patriots at Three Rivers Stadium. The temperature that day was five degrees at kickoff. Despite the cold, the Steelers won that game 28-10.
The coldest game the Steelers have ever played was in 1977. They played the Bengals in Cincinnati and the temperature was negative two degrees. The Bengals pulled out that frigid win 10-17.
Steelers Pickett Jokes That Pickens Will Help Him Prepare
The topic of the weather has come up quite a bit this week, especially in regard to all the festivities planned at halftime for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Steelers Quarterback Kenny Pickett was asked by the media on Thursday about how one prepares for weather like that. Pickett kind of chuffs in the video posted by Brooke Pryor on Twitter.
“Can’t prepare for that, seven degrees or whatever it is gonna be, just go out there and play," Pickett said.
He then adds that perhaps Steelers Wide Receiver George Pickens can help him dress.
“I’ll wear like a thicker thermal and a ski mask . I’ll ask George which one he prefers. I’ll rock the same one GP’s (George Pickens) rockin’ and we’ll be good to go," Pickett joked.
That got a chuckle from the reporters in attendance.
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 13: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium on August 13, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Pickett was also asked if he had ever played in weather this cold. Pickett thought for a second and said that he had played with the temperature in the teens but not the single digits. He added that very cold is cold and there might not be much difference.
Pickett is a native of New Jersey and spent five years playing at the University of Pittsburgh so he is no stranger to playing in the cold. He was asked prior to the start of the season if he liked playing in the cold and said that you don’t have to like it to be able to do it.
The quarterback is about to put his proverbial money where his mouth is and play in extremely cold temperatures. For the sake of his teammates and the fans who brave the arctic climate, we can only hope that he can “do it” even if he isn’t having fun.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked this week about the cold weather and how the team prepares. He wasn’t as humorous as Pickett but still gave a solid answer.
"I'm just acknowledging that it's a component of December ball," Tomlin said. "We've got to be an all-weather group. I think everybody that that lives here and plays here understands and embraces that, and that's one of the reasons why we continually take the approach that we take whenever we get an opportunity to work in less-than-ideal weather conditions. It's always our attitude to work in less-than-ideal weather conditions in an effort to gain exposure and experience. Those that have been here know and understand it, those that are new, guys like George Pickens, we take every opportunity to acclimate them," Tomlin noted.
Photo Credit: @JSKOPhoto / SteelerNation.com
How much do you think the cold weather will affect Pickett? The rest of the team? What is the coldest game you have ever attended? Comment below!
#Steeler Nation
