Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Medical staff help New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) off the field head behind coach Robert Saleh during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
(Florham Park, NJ) – When Aaron Rodgers crumpled to the artificial turf at MetLife stadium on Monday night, everyone held their collective breath.
At the same time, NFL players could barely contain their rage. Rodgers’ Achilles tendon had ruptured, and his season was over – just barely after it got started. Now, the player’s union is speaking out about the turf at MetLife, and demanding the NFL make a wholesale change.
Artificial turf has an over 50-year history in the NFL. In 1969, the Philadelphia Eagles installed fake grass at Franklin Field, becoming the first in the league to do so. Since then, whether its at the Astrodome, Veterans Stadium, Busch Stadium, Soldier Field, or in the Meadowlands – players have complained about its downside. Harder than grass and dirt, and less forgiving in terms of the ability for cleats to get stuck – artificial turf is considered more likely to cause injury than a natural playing surface.
Plus, the old school artificial turf most associated with the 1970s was known to cause nasty rug burns that more or less removed entire layers of skin.
Since then, “field turf” has replaced “astroturf” – using shredded tires in the place of dirt. Players have said it’s softer than the first generation of synthetic turf, and the artificial blades of grass included are less likely to cause skin abrasions. But, big picture, players and the NFL Players Association want turf out, period.
After Rodgers’ injury, the NFL Players Association is calling on all 32 teams to adopt grass fields. In a statement, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell said “moving all stadium fields to high quality natural grass surfaces is the easiest decision the NFL can make. The players overwhelmingly prefer it and the data is clear that grass is simply safer than artificial turf. It is an issue that has been near the top of the players’ list during my team visits and one I have raised with the NFL.”
Meanwhile, league officials maintain there’s no major discrepancy between the number of injuries on artificial turf fields in comparison to natural grass. At MetLife, stadium officials installed a new playing surface this season following multiple complaints. At least one player admitted it’s softer by comparison.
But in the wake of Rodger’s injury, several current players called out MetLife – including Eagles CB Darius Slay (who plays there twice a year) and Rodgers’ ex-teammate, LT David Bakhtiari.
