Keith Bilbrey, dressed as Sloth from “The Goonies,” does a flip during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Will Dorothy, dressed as the Swedish Chef from the Muppets, tosses his stirring spoons into the air during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Nola Sampson, dressed as Scooby-Doo, reacts to the frosty water after participating in the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Longtime Tigers fan Phil Glass takes a dive in his gameday attire during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Spencer Cruz dives into a frigid pool outside the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity take a dive in unison during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Several offensive lineman from the University of Memphis football team get ready to jump into the cold water during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Several dozen Memphians took the plunge into a pool of cold water during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
From left: John Austin Williams, Debby Williams and Carol Easley hand out samples of their chili during the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Eli Copous, dressed as the Grinch, reacts to the icy water after participating in the 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge Feb. 17. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Hot ‘n’ cold: Brave souls take the polar plunge at chili cook-off
The 17th annual Chili Cook-off and 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge benefitting Special Olympics Greater Memphis saw many Memphians jump into ice-cold water in the middle of winter at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.