NFL Players Association Calls for Change to Natural Grass Surfaces After Aaron Rodgers’ Injury
Sep 13, 2023, 09:28 AM ET
The NFL Players Association’s new executive director, Lloyd Howell, has urged the league to replace all synthetic turf with natural grass on NFL fields following Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury. Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the New York Jets’ season opener against the Buffalo Bills, reigniting the ongoing debate over playing surfaces in NFL stadiums.
MetLife Stadium, home to both the Jets and Giants, recently installed a new surface called FieldTurf, which is softer and more forgiving than the previous synthetic turf. However, Rodgers’ injury has sparked a widespread outcry for natural grass surfaces. Howell echoed these sentiments in a statement released on Wednesday, emphasizing that grass is safer than artificial turf and that the players overwhelmingly prefer it.
The injury occurred when Rodgers attempted to spin away from Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd. His left leg was planted in the turf, causing his Achilles to rupture. While Jets coach Robert Saleh does not believe the playing surface caused the injury, he acknowledged that players generally prefer grass and expressed concern for their well-being.
Earlier this year, the NFLPA released data indicating that noncontact injuries occurred at a higher rate on artificial turf compared to grass during the 2022 regular season. However, internal league data reviewed by ESPN showed that the recent rate of noncontact injuries to the knee, ankle, and foot was roughly the same on natural and artificial playing surfaces. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that the league has no plans to convert all playing surfaces to grass based on these statistics.
Howell acknowledged the investment required to convert all stadiums to grass but questioned why NFL team owners are planning to make those changes for the 2026 World Cup but not for their own players. He argued that the cost of losing star players to unnecessary injuries outweighs the financial investment necessary for the change.
Howell, who took over as executive director in June, succeeding DeMaurice Smith, emphasized that the players’ preference for grass and the safety benefits it offers make it a necessary change. While Rodgers previously expressed his preference for grass but commended the FieldTurf at MetLife Stadium, other players, including his former teammate David Bakhtiari and Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, criticized the artificial surface after Rodgers’ injury.
Bakhtiari took to social media to express his frustration, calling out the NFL for prioritizing soccer players over football players and demanding better playing surfaces. Slay also criticized the quality of the MetLife Stadium surface, emphasizing the dangers of playing a physically demanding sport on subpar turf.
The NFLPA’s call for natural grass surfaces aligns with their commitment to player safety and reflects the concerns raised by players themselves. While there may be financial implications involved in converting all stadiums to grass, the potential reduction in injuries and the preservation of star players make it a worthwhile investment.
As the debate over playing surfaces continues, it remains to be seen whether the NFL will heed the players’ call for change. However, with the support of the NFLPA and growing evidence suggesting the benefits of natural grass, it is possible that we may see a shift towards more grass surfaces in NFL stadiums in the future.
In conclusion, Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury has reignited the discussion surrounding playing surfaces in NFL stadiums. The NFL Players Association’s new executive director, Lloyd Howell, has called for a change to natural grass surfaces, citing player preference and safety concerns. While there may be financial implications involved, the potential benefits of reducing injuries and preserving star players make it a worthwhile investment. It remains to be seen whether the NFL will take action, but with growing support and evidence, a shift towards more grass surfaces in NFL stadiums seems plausible.