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For the longest time, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and the players have asked for the National Football League (NFL) to consider changing the turf in the stadiums to natural grass due to the injuries that occur during games or practices. Now that many NFL stadiums are being considered to host FIFAWorld Cup games, the NFL is considering changing to grass for the time being.
FIFA announced in June 2022 a list of where they are planning to hold the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which means using some NFL stadiums. The list includes Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Gillette Stadium (Boston), AT&T Stadium (Arlington), NRG Stadium (Houston), GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco) and Lumen Field (Seattle). Since the announcement, the NFL explained they will be changing the turf to grass to accommodate FIFA rules. This change had many players questioning the intention of the NFL after they said they have been asking for turf for some time to accommodate players and reduce injuries.
There have been reported incidents involving NFL players and their disdain for turf. During Super Bowl LVI, then Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was ruled out for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals after a non-contact injury which resulted in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the second quarter. According to an article by Insider, Beckham appeared to get his foot stuck in the turf while running a route. Players created a petition for the league to change to natural grass, this was signed by players such as San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa.
President of the NFLPA, JC Tretter wrote an article on the NFLPA website explaining how turf is harder on the body than natural grass. Tretter explains how players place extremely high levels of force and rotation onto the playing surface; grass will give in, which will release the cleats prior to injuring the player and there is less give in on turf, which forces the players’ feet, ankles and knees to absorb the force. From 2012 to 2018 players had a 28 percent higher chance of a non-contact lower extremity injury when playing on turf. Tretter mentions players that suffer a non-contact injury have a 32 percent higher rate of suffering a non-contact knee injury and a 69 percent higher rate of suffering non-contact foot and ankle injuries on turf.
Players have voiced their thoughts on turf and have advocated for the NFL to switch to natural grass for years. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp tweeted Nov. 12, 2022: “I believe that we — and all teams — should be playing on grass. This is an age-old issue, and I believe the time to address the problem is now! Let’s have the conversation. #saferfields.”
In an interview with USA Today’s Ryan Wood Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, said, “As much as I’ve enjoyed playing indoors over the years on turf, I do think it’s time to play on grass. I think you’d see less of these non-contact injuries.”
The NFL has not announced if they will permanently change to natural grass, but the Detroit Lions announced Jan. 25 that they will be upgrading to the FieldTurf CORE system. The Tennessee Titans announced Tuesday, Jan. 31 they will install artificial turf.
Below are the stadiums that have grass or turf according to Pro Football Network:
NFL Stadiums with Grass
State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals
M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore Ravens
Soldier Field | Chicago Bears
FirstEnergy Stadium | Cleveland Browns
Empower Field at Mile High | Denver Broncos
Lambeau Field | Green Bay Packers
TIAA Bank Field | Jacksonville Jaguars
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City Chiefs
Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas Raiders
Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Dolphins
Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia Eagles
Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh Steelers
Levi’s Stadium | San Francisco 49ers
Raymond James Stadium | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nissan Stadium | Tennessee Titans
FedExField | Washington Commanders
NFL Stadiums with Turf
Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta Falcons
Highmark Stadium | Buffalo Bills
Bank of America Stadium | Carolina Panthers
Paycor Stadium | Cincinnati Bengals
AT&T Stadium | Dallas Cowboys
Ford Field | Detroit Lions
NRG Stadium | Houston Texans
Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis Colts
SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams
U.S. Bank Stadium | Minnesota Vikings
Gillette Stadium | New England Patriots
Caesars Superdome | New Orleans Saints
MetLife Stadium | New York Giants and New York Jets
-Will be replaced by artificial grass for the 2023 season
Lumen Field | Seattle Seahawks
Katrina Villarreal is the multimedia editor and may be reached at [email protected]
