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Miami Dolphins-Atlanta Falcons Joint Practices: McDaniel’s Plan For ‘Excessive,’ ‘Illness’-Causing Heat

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for all of Southeast Florida Tuesday -- impacting the Miami Dolphins-Atlanta Falcons practice.

Welcome to South Florida, Atlanta Falcons. A tip from a local: Keep the Gatorade jugs cold and full.

The Falcons and Miami Dolphins are set to hold joint practices here Tuesday and Wednesday, and they’re going to be miserable. Forecasters are calling for unprecedented heat indices, which are dangerous in any situation, but even more so during full-padded football practices.

Dangerous Heat in Store for Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons

Don’t take our word for it. Trust the experts.

The National Weather Service sent out the following warning on its Twitter account late Monday:

“The Heat Advisory has been upgraded to an Excessive Heat Warning for all of South Florida with the exception of Mainland Monroe.

“Now in effect through at least 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

“This is the first time that an Excessive Heat Warning has ever been issued for Palm Beach, Hendry, and Glades counties.

“Heat index values (feels-like temperatures) up to 114F are possible. Stay hydrated and take precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe from the heat.”

Later Monday, the NWS made clear the risks of underestimating what’s in store Tuesday.

“Widespread heat indices (feels-like temps) in the 112°F to 116°F range are quite unusual for South Florida.

“In these kind of humid and hot conditions, heat-related illnesses can occur quickly if proper precautions are not followed.”

The Tuesday morning update was no better.

“A sweltering day is in store for South Florida as temperatures reach the mid to upper 90s across our area today. Stay hydrated and weather aware!

“Scattered showers and storms will also be possible once again this afternoon mainly across inland areas of South Florida.”

Credit the Dolphins for getting an earlier start than normal Tuesday, perhaps in an attempt to beat the heat. Their sold-out Tuesday session begins at 10:15 a.m.

“I have like a minor in meteorology, at this point,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said before practice Tuesday. “You’re always going over the whys between the schedule for our team, what we like to do. I like to get in front of team before and kind of set the tone for what our objective is for the day. If the variance was that severe, which it isn’t from half an hour’s time. If it is, you know, then I’ll cancel meetings and push it up. But I’m very aware of what the heat index is today.

“Which is why you’ll see in practice while I’m sweating in my long sleeves, which I will be wearing, the multiple people coming up to me continually during practice, because we’re monitoring that stuff all the time. You have to communicate. You want the training, you don’t want it to be, excessive that, that it is harmful or dangerous to people. So I’m monitoring that all the time and doing our best to stay in front of anything like that.

“But yeah, we’ve been pumping our guys with hydration. They’re aware. We’ll do our best to keep everybody safe and get some good work in today.”

Tuesday’s practice comes nearly 22 years to the day after Korey Stringer, an offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings, collapsed on the practice field and later died of heat stroke.

The NFL has made significant advancements in player safety since then, but this summer’s unrelenting heat wave could stress the system.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.

“Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.”

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