New England Patriots Wide Receiver Mack Hollins Does Not Let Winter Weather Impact Wardrobe
There are “football guys,” and then there are guys who apparently don’t believe in the concept of hypothermia. Mack Hollins falls squarely into that second, slightly more concerning category.
If you’ve ever been to Foxborough in mid-December, you know the drill. It’s the kind of cold that hurts your face. The kind of weather where sensible people layer up until they look like the Michelin Man. But ahead of a pivotal Week 15 clash that could decide the fate of the AFC East, the New England Patriots wide receiver decided to treat the frozen tundra of Gillette Stadium like a beach day in Miami.
A Chilly Arrival At Gillette Stadium
The video surfaced on Sunday morning, courtesy of the NFL, and it immediately sent a shiver down the spine of everyone scrolling through their feed from the comfort of a heated living room. With snow falling and temperatures hovering around freezing, Hollins strolled into work wearing absolutely nothing above the waist and absolutely nothing on his feet.
While his teammates and the stadium security staff were bundled up in parkas and beanies, Hollins walked with the casual confidence of a man heading to a poolside bar, completely unfazed by the slush crunching between his toes. It wasn’t just a fashion choice; it felt like a declaration of war against the elements.
Why Hollins Ditches the Footwear
To the uninitiated, this might look like a desperate cry for attention or perhaps a lost bet. But this is just Mack being Mack. This is the same guy who has gone on record saying he genuinely believes shoes are gross.
Back in 2023, he tried to rationalize his barefoot lifestyle by claiming that “shoes are definitely dirtier than feet” because he washes his feet all the time. It is the kind of logic that almost makes sense until you remember what the floor of an NFL locker room, or a stadium parking lot, probably looks like under a microscope. But you have to respect the commitment to the bit. He isn’t just taking his shoes off for the camera; he’s living the Flintstone lifestyle 24/7.
High Stakes In the AFC East
Whatever his podiatric preferences are, the Patriots simply need him to catch the ball. The stakes for this matchup couldn’t be higher. New England sat at 11-2 heading into the game, with the Buffalo Bills nipping at their heels at 9-4.
There is also a layer of personal history here. Hollins spent last season catching passes for Josh Allen in Buffalo. Walking into a game against your former team, a team desperate to knock you off the division throne, while shirtless in the snow, is certainly one way to tell them you aren’t intimidated. It sends a message to the locker room: If this guy isn’t worried about frostbite, we probably shouldn’t be worried about the Bills’ defense.
More Than Just a Stunt
While he arrived looking like a castaway, Hollins has been a reliable weapon for Drake Maye this season. He’s racked up over 400 yards and found the end zone twice, proving he’s more than just an eccentric personality. He’s a veteran presence who understands the grind of a long season.
Interestingly, Hollins does own clothes. Just days after Halloween, he arrived at a game dressed as a colonial Minuteman, complete with a tri-corner hat and a prop musket. He wore shoes that day, presumably because historical accuracy matters more to him than his anti-shoe agenda. But when it comes to a snowy December grudge match, Hollins prefers to strip it all down.
