Seven NFL stadiums switched from artificial turf to natural grass to host World Cup matches. But that switch was only temporary, inciting an outcry from players who believe their well-being and preferences are worth the cost of using natural grass. Though 92 percent of players prefer a natural surface, the situation is not black-and-white, even as the stadium split between turf and grass is nearly 50/50. Both the Patriots (turf) and Bills (natural grass) were forced to replace their fields this preseason.
Ear to the ground: You’ll never hear more about field quality, particularly in relation to non-contact injuries, than you will this season. In the players’ eyes, the World Cup proved that using natural grass is feasible, and the choice of field is a matter of safety versus financials. While grass and turf surfaces must conform to NFL and NFLPA protocols, injuries on turf will be dissected under a more powerful microscope.
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