Should the NFL ban turf fields?
There isn't too much to differentiate fields in the NFL. However, one of the key elements that can change is the playing surface. The subject of the grass type has been a trending one lately. There has been a lot of concerns and complaints that the artificial turf can cause more injuries. Currently, 16 teams play on artificial turf for their home games. If you are wondering, the Chicago Bears are playing at Soldier Field and it is a natural, Kentucky bluegrass.
Some may ask: why does it matter? It's actually a bigger deal than you think. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) made some research in order to prove that turf fields are actually more dangerous. The results showed that players have a 28% overall higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries on turf. Non-contact knee injuries occur at a 32% higher clip and non-contact foot or ankle injuries are 69% percent more likely on artificial fields.
Those numbers are actually very high and alarming. Those are truly some staggering results.
Lately, numerous players have been very vocal about banning turf fields. It is very possible to provide natural grass in every NFL stadium per the NFLPA.
Here is a quote from Cleveland Browns' center JC Tretter: «Until we can find a way to get synthetic turf to respond and react like natural grass, it's too much of a danger to continue to play on and expect different results. It's possible to get grass in every location, and it's about pushing for that.»
Even colder stadiums like in Green Bay, Pittsburgh or Cleveland have natural grass.
With the amount of money that the NFL makes every year, they should really consider changing to natural grass everywhere. The health and safety of the players is the most important aspect of the game. Of course, you can get injured on natural grass, but you still want to take every precaution possible in order to lower the risks. The data shows it, Turf field Here is a tweet from Green Bay Packers left tackle who tore his ACL last season:
