NFL Players Advocate for Natural Turf Fields

As the NFL faces ongoing discussions about playing surfaces, several players are raising their voices, highlighting a desire for permanent natural grass fields in the league.

In the lead-up to the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, many NFL athletes took to social media, using the hashtag #WorthTheCost to express their views. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor emphasized, “Natural grass isn’t out of reach. And prioritizing players isn’t either. We are #WorthTheCost.”

This push for change comes as several NFL stadiums have transitioned from artificial turf to natural grass specifically for the World Cup, responding to FIFA’s requests. Commanders offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil remarked, “If stadiums can make their turf work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players. We are #WorthTheCost.”

Interestingly, 11 NFL stadiums are now using grass surfaces for the tournament, although seven of them typically revert to artificial turf for NFL games once the event concludes. This situation has sparked further advocacy, with the NFLPA releasing a statement urging team owners to consider permanent turf upgrades.

The NFLPA previously highlighted that the recent switch to natural grass “is a choice to do for football players what some NFL team owners have refused to do for NFL players.” They pointed out that 92 percent of NFL players prefer natural grass, suggesting a clear preference amongst the athletes.

In light of these developments, the push for quality playing surfaces continues to grow, with players advocating passionately for their safety and well-being on the field.