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NFLPA head says 92 per cent of all league players prefer to play on natural grass
Kickers are the only ones who prefer artificial surfaces
February 9, 2024 By Turf & Rec
The head of the NFL players’ association says 92 per cent of all league players prefer to play on natural grass surfaces, based on a survey of union members.
Six per cent noted they were indifferent between natural grass and artificial turf, while the remaining two per cent said they prefer synthetic turf. The latter group were kickers.
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell shared the survey results during a 90-minute news conference Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. The information came about on the heels of the 49ers’ complaints over the field conditions at their Las Vegas practice facility. Sod was laid atop artificial turf at the practice stadium, leaving players to complain it was too spongy and lacked good footing amid the seams of sod rolls.
Howell said artificial turf fields are more conducive to player injuries, suggesting every NFL stadium should be grown to a natural playing surface.
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