NFL Players Want Natural Grass Fields After the World Cup: 'Worth the Cost'

As the World Cup wrapped up this summer, NFL players took to social media to speak out about something that bothered them. They noticed that some NFL stadiums had installed real, natural grass fields for the soccer tournament. These same stadiums normally use artificial turf when NFL games are played. The players want to know why soccer players get grass but they do not.

Players from many different teams joined the movement this week by using the hashtag 'WorthTheCost' on social media. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, and New York Jets defensive lineman Harrison Phillips were among those who posted. Many other players added their own thoughts to the conversation. Together, they posted a simple message: 'If stadiums can make grass work for the World Cup, they can make it work for NFL players. We're #WorthTheCost.'

The NFL Players Association, also known as the NFLPA, is the group that represents all NFL players. Back in June, just before the World Cup started, the NFLPA released a statement on this very issue. The union said that team owners were choosing to install grass for soccer players but refusing to do the same for football players. They argued that the technology and resources already exist to make it happen.

The NFLPA took a poll of its members to find out how players really feel about the issue. According to the union, 92 percent of more than 1,700 players polled said they prefer to play on natural grass. Only 2 percent said they prefer artificial turf. The rest said they had no preference either way.

JC Tretter, the executive director of the NFLPA, explained why grass matters so much to players. He said that standing on grass just feels different from standing on turf — even coaches notice it. 'There is something about the feeling of being on grass; your body feels different,' Tretter said. He believes that feeling has a real impact on players' health and performance.

As stadiums began tearing out the grass that had been put in for the World Cup, the NFLPA encouraged its members to speak up online. Players like Steelers cornerback Doneiko Slaughter and Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams posted their support. 'We've seen what's possible,' they wrote. 'Now it's time to make grass fields the standard.'

Right now, the NFL is split almost evenly on this issue. Fifteen of the league's 30 venues use natural grass, while the other 15 use synthetic turf. Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft plays on one of those grass fields and says his team is lucky. 'Natural grass is the best, and should be the only surface we play on,' Kraft posted. 'We are #WorthTheCost.'

This debate is not new in the NFL. In a poll done by The Athletic in 2023, nearly 83 percent of players said the turf issue was a 'real concern.' One player said, 'You wake up in the morning feeling 10 times better after you played on grass compared to when you played on turf.' Injuries have also kept this topic in the news, like when New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers tore his ACL on artificial turf last season.

Team owners have been slower to agree with the players. Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said in 2023 that it is very hard to grow quality natural grass inside a stadium that was not designed for it. He pointed out that there are 'a lot of moving parts' involved. However, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said he has 'always felt that football should be played on grass,' and mentioned both safety and the way it looks as reasons.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle summed up the players' feelings clearly. He said the players know grass is better for their bodies, and the World Cup proved it is possible. 'At this point, it comes down to the NFL making it a priority and choosing to invest in us as players,' Kittle said. Players are hoping team owners and the league will listen and make natural grass the standard across all NFL stadiums.