Will the NFL ban turf fields?

Each year, there are a handful of players who lose their season due to non-contact injuries. The NFL has tried for many years to make the sport safer in every aspect, yet turf fields still stand.

The NFL turf field debuted in a 1968 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Oilers.

Since then, more than half the NFL teams switched to a form of turf field.

The NFLPA collected data across six years and has concluded that players have a 28 percent higher non-contact injury rate on turf fields compared to natural grass.

This disparity becomes particularly concerning when examining non-contact knee injuries, as there’s a 69 percent higher rate of those injuries on turf fields compared to grass.

One of the largest differences between turf and natural grass fields is the level of maintenance required for both.

Although it’s more expensive to install turf fields, they pay themselves off much quicker than grass fields.

It takes a grass field 6-13 years to pay off its 10-year lifecycle cost, while it takes a turf field only 3-5 years to pay off its larger lifecycle cost.

However, each NFL team made a record, $432.6 million dollars in revenue in the 2024 fiscal year. So, is there a valid financial excuse to install grass fields?

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is known as one of the most dangerous fields in the NFL.

Since 2020, there have been 14 substantial injuries at MetLife. There have also been countless complaints about the turf from players and coaches.

Raven’s head coach, John Harbaugh, and even New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson have criticized the MetLife turf. Wilson went as far as to call the turf “garbage” in 2023.

It’s difficult to predict if the NFL will ever ban turf fields, but if it does happen, it’s safe to say players will have an overwhelmingly positive response.

According to NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell, 92% of players would rather play on grass fields than turf.

Most recently, the Titans switched their grass field to turf in 2023, as it was difficult to maintain a high-quality grass field.

In quarterback Cam Ward's debut against the Rams, he slipped on the turf, which led to a crucial sack and fumble.

It didn’t take long for Ward to criticize the turf afterwards.

“We practice on grass. Why don’t we play on grass?” Ward asked John Glennon of the Nashville Post.

From 2017 to 2022, seven of the 10 stadiums that recorded the least number of injuries had grass fields.

It’s the same case in the opposite direction, as seven of the 10 stadiums with the most injuries through that same period were stadiums with a turf field.

It’s ultimately the owner’s decision whether their team will play on a turf or grass field, but there’s a strong argument against turf from both former and active players.

Vinny Jones is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at vtj5006@psu.edu.