Mark Sanchez will wear a special cold-weather helmet to play his first career game in temperatures under 40 degrees.
“We put some of the UGG boot stuff in his helmet, so he’s going to be warmer,” Rex Ryan said, referring to the wool-lined footwear. “I’m not kidding. Look at his helmet. He’s got some of that in there. We try to make sure our guys are comfortable and healthy and protected.”
It’s expected to be snowy with near-freezing temperatures at the Meadowlands on Sunday when the Jets play the Falcons.
“The equipment staff is doing everything they can to make me comfortable,” Sanchez said. “It’s really working and I appreciate their help.”
Ryan said he isn’t concerned about how Sanchez, from Southern California, will fare in the cold and potentially messy conditions.
“He’s got big hands, which I think you have to have in cold-weather games,” Ryan said. “In really bad-weather games, if it’s raining, you need the big hands to zip the ball. He can throw it, so he’ll be just fine.”
Going back to college at USC, Sanchez has never played in game with temperatures lower than 42 degrees. Two game this season — vs. Buffalo at the Meadowlands and at New England — were in the mid-40s.
“I am excited to play. I know there are going to be many more (games in the snow), so I plan to get used to it,” Sanchez said.
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