NFLPA calls for ban on artificial turf due to increased injury

[LadyStanley]

NFLPA president J.C. Tretter calls for all of league's turf fields to be converted to natural grass

NFL players have long preferred playing on natural grass. The league's union president wants it to be the only choice.

28% increase in lower body injuries on turf vs natural grass.

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[Big Z Man 1990]

This would require the fixed roof stadiums to install retractable fields.

 

[GindyDraws]

Sounds fine and dandy, but 13 of the league's 30 stadiums us synthetic turfs. A few are in domed environments, like Ford Field, where grass has no real way to grow (even with the glass windows), and some of the northern climates, like CenturyLink Field and MetLife Stadium, opted for synthetic turf due to the winter conditions.

"Turf toe" and other injuries are common due to the lack of give on synthetic fields, but I'm not sure those places will accept the change so easily.

 

[royals119]

The old Giants Stadium tried a tray system a few years ago, where they grew natural grass in large modular trays. They could switch out sections of the field that got worn down. It was installed in 2000, and removed in 2003 in favor of Field Turf. The grass deteriorated during the season, and players rated the grass surface for late season games as worse than the old astro-turf. Technology has likely advanced in the last 17 years, but I don't think any grass field is going to stand up to 16+ games in NJ climate between Sept-January.

 

[LadyStanley]

Vegas and Arizona have covered stadiums and grass trays.

What other venues have covered stadiums?

 

[DoyleG]

The old Giants Stadium tried a tray system a few years ago, where they grew natural grass in large modular trays. They could switch out sections of the field that got worn down. It was installed in 2000, and removed in 2003 in favor of Field Turf. The grass deteriorated during the season, and players rated the grass surface for late season games as worse than the old astro-turf. Technology has likely advanced in the last 17 years, but I don't think any grass field is going to stand up to 16+ games in NJ climate between Sept-January.

NRG Stadium used a similar system, and they subsequently installed an artificial surface as a replacement.

 

[Aero 75]

Vegas and Arizona have covered stadiums and grass trays.

What other venues have covered stadiums?

Superdome, New Orleans.

 

[gstommylee]

This would require the fixed roof stadiums to install retractable fields.

The clink has no space to have a retractable field and the stadium is pointed the wrong direction.

 

[Pia8988]

Vegas and Arizona have covered stadiums and grass trays.

What other venues have covered stadiums?

They both have the space and setups to move the field outdoors for sunlight.