Some NFL players have started a social media campaign to support a call by their players union for more permanent grass fields following the World Cup.
Seven NFL stadiums in the US had grass fields installed for the duration of the tournament to meet the demands of organisers Fifa.
They are set to revert to artificial turf after the World Cup, despite 92% of NFL players preferring natural grass,, external according to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
Data shows, external that “artificial turf is significantly harder on the body than grass”.
Fifteen of the NFL’s 30 regular stadiums use grass, with the other half using artificial turf. One of the reasons for artificial turf is the increased cost to maintain grass.
Dozens of NFL players have posted messages with #WorthTheCost, including Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who said: “Why can’t we have this too?”
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said: “Natural grass isn’t out of reach. Prioritizing players shouldn’t be either.”
Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin said: “The cost of doing nothing is paid for by players’ bodies. Make grass mandatory.”
An NFLPA statement issued just before the World Cup read: “It’s no longer a question of capability; the technology exists, the expertise exists and the resources exist to install the high-level grass fields that our players overwhelmingly prefer.
“We have seen the meaningful investments made to meet the standard for international athletes and global events.
“NFL players – who regularly compete on these fields, help fund these stadiums and whose work makes the league what it is today – deserve the same commitment to quality grass fields.”
