Stafford’s “scuba suit” plan: The coolest trick for battling Chicago’s arctic blast
The Rams will face frigid conditions quite different to what they’re used to in L.A. when they face the Bears in Chicago, but QB Matthew Stafford is ready.
When the Los Angeles Rams take the field Sunday in Chicago’s infamous winter, temperatures and biting wind chills won’t be the only interesting sight at Soldier Field.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is planning to wear a piece of gear that sounds more at home under the waves than on a football field - a scuba-style suit to help keep himself warm in bone-chilling conditions.
What is the “scuba suit” Stafford is talking about?
The term scuba suit in this context doesn’t mean Stafford will show up in full diving gear with flippers and a snorkel. Instead, it refers to a neoprene insulating layer worn under his uniform that’s inspired by, and functionally similar to, a wetsuit used in water sports. Neoprene traps a thin layer of air against the body, which helps retain heat and block wind, exactly the kind of protection quarterbacks want when the mercury dips well below freezing.
Originally popularized in the NFL by Tom Brady, who famously used a similar garment during frigid outdoor playoff games, the suit is designed to keep core body temperature higher without drastically restricting movement, a delicate balance for players who have to throw, run, and absorb contact at full speed.
Stafford first used this tactic during his time with the Detroit Lions, where cold-weather games were a regular part of the schedule, and he says it’s become one of his go-to tools when temperatures plunge.
“I’ve worn it quite a few times since I’ve been here,” Stafford said. “It keeps you warmer, but it’s not skin-tight.”
Sunday’s forecast for Soldier Field calls for frigid wind chills near zero or below, with gusty winds adding to the misery for visitors from sunny California.
Cold weather can affect every part of the game. Grip on the ball becomes tricky as leather stiffens, snapping and catching feel different with numb fingers, linemen struggle with leverage as muscles tighten, and even athletic performance can be subtly undermined by shivering or muscle tension. In other words, staying warm isn’t just for comfort , but a necessary part of game execution.
Stafford’s experience playing in chilly environments gives him a leg up. He spent 12 seasons in Detroit and has played in Chicago and other cold-weather venues many times, including snow games and sub-20°F kickoffs.
Wide receiver Davante Adams, also no stranger to cold from his years in Green Bay and New York, will take a different route, foregoing sleeves and embracing the raw elements.
Cold-weather gear can be as much psychological as physical. Players know that if they’re prepared for the elements, they don’t have to think about the cold. They can just play. That mentality has helped quarterbacks like Brady, who went 35–8 in freezing games, succeed in adverse conditions.
The Rams face the Bears in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET from Soldier Field. You can follow along with our live coverage of the game right here on AS USA.
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