NFL players want more grass field after World Cup

Some NFL players have launched a social media campaign to support their players’ union’s call for more permanent grass fields after the World Cup.

Seven NFL stadiums in the United States had grass fields installed for the duration of the tournament to meet the demands of organizer FIFA.

However, they are going to return to artificial turf after the World Cup 92% of NFL players prefer natural grass., outsider According to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

shows the data, outsider That “artificial turf is significantly harder on the body than grass”.

Fifteen of the NFL’s 30 regular stadiums use grass, while the other half use artificial turf. One of the reasons for artificial turf is the increased cost of grass maintenance.

Dozens of NFL players posted messages with #WorthTheCost, including Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who said: “Why can’t we have that too?”

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said: “Natural grass is not out of reach. Players shouldn’t be a priority either.”

Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin said: “The price of doing nothing is paid by the players’ bodies. Make grass mandatory.”

An NFLPA statement issued just before the World Cup said: “It’s no longer a question of capability; the technology exists, the skills exist and the resources exist to install the high-level grass fields that our players overwhelmingly love.

“We have seen meaningful investment to meet the standards of international athletes and global events.

“NFL players — who regularly compete on these fields, fund these stadiums and whose work makes the league what it is today — deserve the same commitment to quality grass fields.”