The San Francisco 49ers asked the league if they could switch to white uniforms this week against the Arizona Cardinals given the expected hot weather Sunday in Santa Clara.
As head coach Kyle Shanahan explained to reporters, their request was denied.
“Got the memo earlier in the week it was gonna be hot like this,” Shanahan said. “We asked on Monday and we weren’t allowed to do it. You had to do it before the season started. In order for us to do it we gotta make a conscious decision or commitment before the year that we wear all white until the middle of October and then go to normal. But it not usually this hot.”
Red jerseys with white pants it is, as the 49ers will wear their throwbacks to get as much white as possible in the combination.
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The high temperature in Santa Clara on Sunday is expected to be 99 degrees, leading to an excessive heat warning and up from a daily average of 78 degrees, according to AccuWeather.
The Cardinals, who practice in the heat every week with high temperatures in the Valley staying in the triple digits, will get to wear the all-white uniforms for a bit more comfort in the sun.
Shanahan said hydration and pregame IVs will be key to combat the heat. He explained this was the first time under his watch the team looked into changing their uniform colors due to the weather.
“When I was on the east coast, that was such a big deal, being in Tampa Bay and things like that, you always wanna wear those whites early in the year,” Shanahan said. “Didn’t have to worry about that much out here.”
Kick off on Sunday is at 1:05 p.m. on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.