Training camp held at The Star has required the Dallas Cowboys to get creative when it comes to the Texas heat.
how so? Popsicles.
The Cowboys set up three cooling tents on an adjacent artificial turf field for players to use during the two exercises. In addition to cold towels are water and Gatorade, yes popsicles.
“The whole premise is to try to lower your core temperature and what not,” said Joe Looney. “I’m a big boy with a bunch of hair that I need. I’m dumping water on my head. I find it wonderful. Practicing in Texas presents another challenge for us, just getting used to the heat. I think that it’s a great technique that we can go in there, grab a popsicle, cool it down and then go outside again and hit it really hard. “
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Cowboys were unable to hold practice in Oxnard, California, their training camp at home for all but one season of Jason Garrett’s nine-year run as head coach.
To beat the heat, new coach Mike McCarthy will hold practices at 8 p.m.
The temperature at the beginning of the practice was about 85 degrees, but it was above 90 by the time the session ended. The afternoon forecast raises temperatures to the top of 102 degrees. The Cowboys could use Ford Center, their 12,000-seat facility, but McCarthy’s preference is to exercise as much outdoors as possible.
Friday was the Cowboys’ first on-field work in helmets and shells. They are off on Saturday for another organized team activity-type exercise. The pads arrive Monday for the first time.
“One thing I really respect about Coach McCarthy is how he takes care of our bodies,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said. “When we are on the practice field, we go hard and everyone is very conscious in what we are doing. His message is really when we touch the practice field, we go hard and he will take care of our bodies.”
Popsicles included.
“I’m a blue raspberry kind of boy,” Looney said. “We do one-on-one and people ask me, ‘Hey, Looney, why is your tongue blue?’ I say, ‘Because I had those popsicles in the tent.’ “
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