Artificial Turf Isn’t Going Anywhere

After New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon on Monday night while playing on the artificial surface at MetLife Stadium, calls to replace artificial turf fields in all NFL stadiums returned. But Doug thinks the idea is patently ridiculous considering the logistics involved in some of these stadiums, many of which are indoors and/or in climates that make it difficult to grow real grass. Additionally, some players actually prefer artificial turf and making those kinds of changes isn’t cost-effective. The truth is that there is no “perfect surface” and each stadium has its own challenges keeping their field game ready.

Doug Gottlieb: “Players like to play on it. Obviously there’s the cost saving element to it. It’s very difficult in some climates to grow grass...There’s no perfect surface. There’s a lot more slipping on grass...What are we actually arguing about?”