'Battle-Tested' Jeff Gladney Can Take Minnesota Cold & Zimmer's Heat

[Viktor]

EAGAN, Minn. – New Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney isn't scared off by stories of Minnesota winters.


In fact, the cold weather will be a break from the more-than-100-degree heat indexes he's used to.


Gladney, whom the Vikings drafted 31st overall out of TCU, spoke with Twin Cities media members Friday via video conference and said he's not concerned about moving to the North after his time with the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth, Texas.


"Fun fact, I like cold weather," Gladney said. "That's kind of a plus for me."


TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson also spoke with reporters Friday and emphasized Gladney's mental fortitude and commitment to the game, no matter the environment.


"He's a guy that's battle-tested, having to play 80, 90 plays [per game]," Patterson said. "One time in practice, he was one of the guys – where everybody was down – where he took the 1 reps, the 2 reps and the 3 reps just so we could get through practice. And that's in 112-115-degree heat.


"You've got a guy who understands how to do that, how to fight through all of that and how to play," he later added.