NFLPA demands league bans turf fields as Travis Kelce, Odell Beckham Jr. issue public pleas
One of the NFLPA's main objectives is to ensure the safety of their players like Travis Kelce and Odell Beckham Jr. The president of the NFLPA, JC Tretter, wrote an open statement about turf fields. He called on the NFL to ban the surface on all fields for a number of reasons.
Tretter said:
"Just like there are different types of grass, there are also different types of turf (Monofilament, Dual Fiber, Slit Film). The slit film playing surface has statistically higher in-game injury rates compared to all other surfaces for each of the following: Non-contact injuries, Missed time injuries, Lower extremity injuries, and Foot and ankle injuries."
Players have continued to sound off on the need to improve our fields – all too often after an injury has occurred. If the NFL is as serious as they claim about player safety, here’s what they can do to make #SaferFields nflpa.com/posts/nfl-play…
Tretter added:
"Advocating for safer working conditions is a core job of our union, and there are few greater examples of this than raising the standards of the fields we practice and play on. If the NFL is serious about their claims that they make data-based decisions and that they care about player safety, then we have some actionable items for them."
On the "New Heights" podcast, Kelce echoed Tretter's sentiments. Kelce also wants to do away with the turf field. The Kansas City Chiefs star even doubled down on his feelings on turf fields.
Travis Kelce said:
"Take care of your players, man. I can only imagine if the game I just played against Tennessee was on turf, it's so ridiculous, my body after a game on grass. Like, I barely walked out of that thing, and I know it's magnified by 10 whenever I play on turf."
Kelce added:
"I definitely am aware of which games I'm going to are turf games, and on top of that, whenever we practice on turf, I am – f--- that. I'd rather practice in sleet, snow, thunderstorm with a chance to get struck by lightning than run inside on the turf."
Odell Beckham Jr. agreed with the NFLPA's stance on turf fields in September
Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. spoke about turf fields back in September when New York Giants receiver Sterling Shepard tore his ACL at MetLife Stadium. The former Giants star suffered a torn ACL in Super Bowl 56 with the Los Angeles Rams. Beckham Jr. took to Twitter to share his disgust about the field turf:
@ACLrecoveryCLUB Just get rid of it all the fkngether bro. Billions made off this game I can’t understand why we can’t play on grass. That shxt is rough. Prayers up for my brother. Shxt just hurt my heart 🤕
Seven NFL teams currently use slit film turf in their stadiums. These teams include the New York Giants, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Cincinnati Bengals.
Let's see if the NFLPA will get their wish for the removal of the field turf from the league.
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