Temperatures have approached triple digits many times this summer at the 49ers facility in Santa Clara, but the sweltering humidity offered by the state of Florida is not something that can be experienced naturally in Northern California.
With a trip to Tampa Bay for Week 1 looming, the 49ers have taken significant measures to prepare their players for what is expected to be a sizzling atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium.
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“That’s probably as close as it can get to feeling like Tampa, except for the sun being on you,” said linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. Al-Shaair is a Tampa native and grew up within a five-mile radius of the Buccaneers’ stadium.
The tent has been carefully monitored by Ben Peterson, the 49ers’ new director of player health and performance. Peterson was hired this offseason in an attempt to curb the 49ers’ struggles with the injury bug over the past two seasons.
“It’s going to be hot," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s not going to be fun, but it’s hot and not fun almost everywhere right now, so let’s make sure we’re prepared and go try to win a game.”
[RELATED: Matt Maiocco breaks down 49ers' expectations on 2019 NFL Kickoff Show]
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No matter how many hours someone spends in a simulated environment, everything will be different when the pads come on and players must endure three hours with no escape from the sun.
We’ll find out just how much that offseason conditioning paid off when the 49ers' 2019 season kicks off at 1:25 PT on Sunday.
