For many fans, especially Jets fans whose star quarterback went down with an Achilles injury seventy-five seconds into his first start, the decision is clear. The NFL should switch to grass fields. The players are complaining the media is pressuring them, and there is clear statistical evidence supporting the fact that grass fields lead to fewer injuries. So why hasn’t there been any change?
The NFL has made it clear that their decisions are based on science and what’s best from an injury standpoint. However, based on NFL injury data collected from 2012 to 2018, not only was the contact injury rate for lower extremities higher during practices and games held on artificial turf, but NFL players consistently experienced a much higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries on turf compared to natural surfaces. Turf fields are not able to absorb contact as well as grass making the game faster, but also making sharp cuts and changes of direction way more dangerous for the players.
Many players and fans speculate that the NFL’s decisions are not based on the player’s health, but instead on money. Green Bay Packers left tackle, David Bakhtiari stated that the NFL is just “following the money. Simple as that”. Turf is considerably cheaper and easier to maintain than grass fields. Synthetic turfs cost $8,000 – $82,000 while maintaining grass fields $72,600 – $105,250. Adding on the chemicals and pesticides required for a natural grass field it is clear to see that grass fields are more expensive. However, it is fair for the players and fans to assume that the multi-billion-dollar organization that is the NFL would be able to afford to make this change.
Adding to the controversy of grass vs. turf is the FIFA World Cup heading to America in 2026. Multiple popular football fields and other sports stadiums are expected to host the soccer games and are also expected to convert from artificial turf to natural grass for the games. The arrival of the World Cup in 2026 brings forth the question or problem that many football fans and players have. If FIFA can do it, why can’t the NFL?
