NFL players union renews call for grass fields after Aaron Rodgers' injury

9-13-2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Skin scraped down to bloody patches. Sore bodies stinging in post-game showers. Aching shoulders, backs, hips, knees and ankles.

Add in season-ending injuries like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers tearing his left Achilles tendon in his debut with the New York Jets on Monday night and Buffalo pass rusher Von Miller tearing his ACL, an incident that he blames on artificial turf.

Yes, NFL players prefer playing on natural grass. It’s why the NFL Players Association called on the league Wednesday to switch all fields to grass in what executive director Lloyd Howell said was “the easiest decision the NFL can make.”

SNIP

The players union repeated its call for grass less than 48 hours after Rodgers’ injury. Howell said players know the change would cost money but argue the bigger cost is losing the NFL’s best players to “unnecessary injuries.”

https://apnews.com/article/nfl-nflpa-aaron-rodgers-achilles-injury-grass-fields-artificial-surface-0b6bd58da43d52b0a8578bd7e70228d3

HIGHLIGHTS (from the link):

• In April, the union released studies from 2012-22 arguing a significant increase in non-contact injuries on artificial surfaces vs. grass.

• The NFL has defended artificial turf, pointing to 2021 when the numbers for injuries on both surfaces were close.

• Roger Goodell: “That is where we make decisions, on the basis of science, not because I see an injury that I don’t like.”

• Aaron Rodgers argued for grass all over the league last November while he played for the Green Bay Packers. Rogers opines that some artificial surfaces are softer, creating more wobble when the foot hits the ground, and that grass allows cleats to pull away, leaving a divot.

• New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore his Achilles tendon late in 2021 at MetLife Stadium, then he tore an ACL last season on the same field.

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MetLife turf has been notoriously dangerous. 49ers lost several players to injuries in an early season 2020 game against the Jets, including pass rush specialist Nick Bosa.