LAS VEGAS — A vast majority of players in the union want to play on natural grass fields, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell said Tuesday, adding that there is a certain “hypocrisy” with some NFL stadiums agreeing to adhere to FIFA regulations by installing grass for upcoming soccer matches in the 2026 World Cup but reverting to artificial turf for football games.
“It’s really basic,” Howell said Wednesday in an NFLPA news conference at the Mandalay Bay resort. “It’s not rocket science. Ninety-two percent of our union wants grass. That’s compelling. The bottom line is, it’s unquestionable that our union wants to have a working condition where they play on grass.”
Howell said data collected by the union showed injuries occurring on a slower rate on natural grass fields, as opposed to artificial turf.
Four players on the NFLPA’s executive committee — Atlanta Falcons defensive end Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars placekicker Brandon McManus, former Cincinnati Bengals safety Michael Thomas and Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler — concurred. Ekeler talked about how much “turf tape” he has to wear on his forearms when playing on synthetic grass because of the burns he accumulates.
“You bounce a little bit different off concrete, rubber and plastic than you do off grass and dirt,” Ekeler laughed. “It hurts. Turf is a lot harder surface.
“When it comes to my legs, on turf, you stick. On grass, dirt, you move a little bit. So, it’s the accumulation of those little things.”
Thomas said simply practicing on turf during the week leaves players feeling more sore heading into the game, leading to tighter hamstrings and more “wear and tear” on the body.
“We’ve got to fix it,” said Campbell, a 16-year veteran.
NFLPA president JC Tretter compared injury trends.
“Turf has stayed relatively consistent at an injury rate over the last decade,” Tretter said. “Grass this year has its highest injury rate over the last decade, but it was still lower than the injury rate on turf. So, the worst performing year on grass is still better than turf this year.”
Said Howell: “Today, 13 fields are grass, the balance a version of synthetic turf. Yes, there is movement afoot to identify the highest consistent playing surface. But at the end of the day, our players’ preference is grass and that should matter.”
With seven NFL stadiums being used for World Cup play switching to grass — Gillette Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lumen Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium, SoFi Stadium — Howell saw a path.
“There’s a model out there that says, for another sport it’s possible,” Howell said. “Now certainly the average football player, the football game is different than soccer. We appreciate that. But the science alone says this is possible.
“And so, when we have engaged the league, we’ve actually had a very rational…
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