The FIFA World Cup will come to close on Sunday, ending over a month of thrilling soccer. But for some football players, it’s been a frustrating month to watch soccer players play on natural grass in the same stadiums these NFL players are forced to play on artificial grass. The NFLPA has noted that 92 percent of their players want to play on natural grass, and in their eyes, the World Cup proves that it’s possible.
Seven different NFL stadiums that have artificial grass were outfitted with natural
grass for the World Cup: the Rams’/Chargers’ SoFi Stadium, Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, Giants’/Jets’ MetLife Stadium, Patriots’ Gillettee Stadium, Texans’ NRG Stadium, and Seahawks’ Lumen Field.
For the past few months, players and the NFLPA have been using the hashtag #WorthTheCost to express a desire to get the NFL to make the change. For example, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle offered a long statement on grass fields through the NFLPA’s Twitter account.
“We’ve made it clear that we prefer grass fields. We know it’s better on our bodies. And clearly, we know it’s possible based on everything that went into putting down grass fields for the World Cup in each stadium.
“At this point, it comes down to the NFL making it a priority and choosing to invest in us as players, because our bodies are our business, which they get to capitalize on!“
On Friday, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta joined the voices, posting an Instagram story with the words, “WHY CAN’T WE HAVE THIS TOO” in front of a photograph of So-Fi Stadium with natural grass being mowed.
Notably, LaPorta suffered a knee injury back in his rookie season at Ford Field when his foot appeared to get caught in the home stadium’s artificial turf. Despite the injury, LaPorta didn’t end up missing time, although he was limited in Detroit’s deep playoff run that year.
In 2023, the Lions updated their artificial turn in an effort to move away from the highly unpopular slit-film turf style. But the team has shown no interest in trying to swap to natural grass outside of a brief moment when Detroit was considering a retractable roof and grass field when bidding for an MLS team, but ultimately decided it wasn’t feasible. They didn’t win the bid for a soccer team.
“We’re committed,” coach Dan Campbell said about the turf change. “(Lions owner) Sheila (Hamp) and (team president) Rod (Wood) are committed to finding—whatever it is. We know we can’t have grass. We’re a dome team, so let’s find the very best, the best rated turf that we can get, and so, that’s been a priority.”
