How Alabama Players are Combatting Heat

With temperatures into the 100s at practice, the heat adds another challenging element as Crimson Tide players work to develop mental toughness in fall camp.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — This is not anything new. Summer in Alabama is hot. But with the heat index regularly over 100 degrees this August, it certainly adds a challenging layer to fall camp for the Crimson Tide football team, even for players like defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis, who grew up in Mississippi. 

"That heat’s something different," Oatis said Monday. "But the reason we work in this heat is just to get better every day and get everybody on the same level.”

For offensive lineman JC Latham, it's all about preparing the right way, and that starts in the dining hall. 

"I make sure I eat twice before I go out there, so breakfast and lunch," Latham said. "Tonight’s a night practice, so I’ll eat three meals, get a snack in and definitely got to hydrate, different fluids going into your body. Just making sure that when you're out there, you're prepared. You can’t just walk out there one sandwich for the whole day, or you’ll die."

Alabama head coach Nick Saban often compliments the nutrition and health staff that work with the football team. Those support staff members make sure the players are fueled the right way to combat the heat. 

The weather can't be an excuse for a poor attitude or work ethic. Conditions like this create the mental toughness that Saban wants to see from his team. 

"Everybody has to change their whole mindset," wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks said earlier in fall camp. "It’s hot out there. We’re just not going to let the heat affect our performance."

Even with the high temperatures, Alabama still works outside on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields for the majority of the practices unless it is raining bad or thundering. 

The Crimson Tide's season opener against Middle Tennessee is now less than three weeks away. Temperatures in Tuscaloosa will have gone down slightly by Sept. 2, and fortunately for the players, the first game two home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium are both evening kickoffs. 

However, anyone who has spent the first few Saturdays of football season in Alabama knows that it will still be warm and humid. Practicing in the heat now gets the team ready for the season. 

See also:

Where is Alabama in the Preseason AP Top 25?

Want Alabama to Start the Season at No. 1? Historically, it Often Doesn't Go Well

Nick Saban Not Satisfied, Looking for More from Team After First Scrimmage of Fall Camp