Green Bay Packers 5th round draft pick Jacob Monk, like many Americans, has an allergy. What that allergy is may stand out for somebody playing in the winter months in Wisconsin.
Monk is allergic to – get this – cold water.
While many NFL players subscribe to ice baths as a means of healing sore muscles and alleviating pain from injuries, the former Duke center has a tepid relationship with chilly water.
Monk discovered the odd allergy during his freshman year before a game against Alabama.
“Yes, I’m very allergic to cold water,” he said in an interview with Duke Football. “So, a quick story, before we played Alabama my freshman year, I decided it would be a good idea to hop in the cold tub.”
“I was like, ‘this is really cold!’ I didn’t know it would be that cold. I get out of the cold tub and go shower, and I’m just itching,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of hives everywhere, and then after I get out of the shower, I end up passing out in the locker room.”
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Jacob Monk Heads To Green Bay With A Cold Water Allergy
The allergy is known in the medical field as cold urticaria. And it is rare. DermNet reports that just 0.05% of the population has a cold water allergy.
The Mayo Clinic advises that one of the best preventative measures involving cold urticaria is “avoiding cold air and water.”
Out on an open field.
In the dead of winter.
In Green Bay.
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A Rare Allergy, But He Should Be Good To Go
Fortunately, antihistamines also work as a preventative and, according to Jacob Monk, the cold water allergy in his case does not arise when out in the snow.
“I can drink cold water. I can be in the snow and all that.” He told Sports Illustrated, “I think I probably just stayed out there for a little too long.”
Huh. I’m no doctor, but my understanding has always been that snow is the alter ego of cold water.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the snow. I’m not afraid of the cold. I’m not afraid of cold water,” Monk continues. “I feel like the temperature had to be just right for me to sit there for that long. But I’m not worried about being in the cold at all, honestly.”
Packers vice president of personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan indicates the team was aware of Jacob Monk’s cold water allergy but he doesn’t seem too concerned.
“Let’s just make sure he doesn’t go ice fishing,” he joked.
ESPN describes Monk as a versatile offensive lineman having experience playing right tackle, right guard, and center. The Packers traded up five spots in the fifth round to get him.
