Would real grass cause less injuries than field turf?

[KJJ]

It 100% absolutely can be done. The raiders stadium is real grass and a dome. There are other stadiums in the world that do the same.

They usually have the field on a movable platform that can be moved outdoors for sunlight.

You can also use a retractable roof.

There’s a lot of options

The field is rolled in on rails, like the field in Arizona. They leave the field outside to get sunlight. You can’t leave a real grass field in a dome stadium 24/7. Sunlight would have to hit every area of the field with a retractable roof.

 

[HungryLion]

The field is rolled in on rails, like the field in Arizona. They leave the field outside to get sunlight. You can’t leave a real grass field in a dome stadium 24/7. Sunlight would have to hit every area of the field with a retractable roof.

Ok so you agree indoor stadiums can have real grass. Glad we are on the same
Page.

 

[KJJ]

Ok so you agree indoor stadiums can have real grass. Glad we are on the same
Page.

If they can roll the field out of the stadium on rails like the Raiders and Cardinals it can be done. My point was it can’t be done if the field is left indoors 24/7.

 

[JayFord]

They already did that. Just painted it green. Vet stadium in Filthy was the worst.

that field was absolutely deplorable....everytime i saw the field it looked nasty and not fit for TV and it was indeed just concrete

 

[wecasa]

If they can do it for soccer why not the nfl?

 

[StarOfGlory]

They already did that. Just painted it green. Vet stadium in Filthy was the worst.

I played two baseball games at the Vet while in high school (Carpenter Cup games). I couldn’t believe football was played on that surface. It was damn close to cement painted green. The seams in the field were no fun either.

 

[JeffInDC]

Ravens play on a grass field I believe and lost Dobbins with an Achilles injury. I think it’s a grass field but maybe I’m wrong here.

Yep...they play on grass

 

[Swagger]

There are many different astroturf surfaces. In England the % of ACL/achilles injures for football (soccer) is higher on astroturf than on grass.

From memory there were several serious injuries potentially related to the surface last season in the NFL? Were those on astroturf as well?

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Worst NFL injury ever (Theismann) was on grass. I would really like to see true data about grass vs. the modern day surfaces.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I don’t know of anything in the history of mankind that was more difficult than putting men on the moon and bringing them back.

Getting my ex to admit it when she was wrong was much, much more difficult than that. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Worst NFL injury ever (Theismann) was on grass. I would really like to see true data about grass vs. the modern day surfaces.

I remember that. There's not any surface that's guaranteed not to injure. Also, even if grass is overall better, it's only good if well-maintained. A grass field can be full of gopher holes or just be uneven and thus dangerous. I'm not saying they shouldn't use it, only that it would need to be extremely well maintained. There's also the issue of the weather. A grass surface can be as hard as concrete if it's cold enough. I'd bet that field used in the Ice Bowl felt as hard as a stone slab. One wonders if field turf could have been better for that game if it had been available back then.

 

[thunderpimp91]

It's such a tough piece that has so many layers to it once you really get into the debate. With so many of these mega stadiums being built with the idea that they will host other sports, concerts, etc and still be used for an NFL game 24 hours later you almost need the fake stuff to pull it off. Yeah you can do it with the grass, and yeah grass is probably safer in perfect conditions, but beat up natural grass becomes the worst case scenario too.

At least it isn't as bad as when a quarter of the league shared stadiums with MLB teams 30 years ago, that created some horrific conditions. Some of these teams in the north have some pretty beat up fields come December/January when nothing grows without a ton of work, and it shocks me that any of those teams have grass fields. Honestly I dont think there is a right answer here, I just hope the fake stuff becomes better and better quality over time.

 

[calicowboy54]

Some people were saying that Aaron Rodgers would not have been injured on real grass instead of field turf. I'm honestly not sure what's true. I do know that both real grass and field turf beats the pants off that awful astroturf they used to play on. The claim some made is that real grass would have given way, thus preventing his injury. However, does that also mean that real grass fields are more prone to holes and uneven spaces, or even dirt patches? Field turf was billed as just as safe as grass, but is it more nuanced than that? Maybe it has its pros and cons, but the same thing can be said of real grass fields?
...
I know that the game can never guarantee no injuries, but I want them to use whatever is best.

yes regular grass gives more. when his clear stuck last night it would have just ripped up the sod instead of flexing his ankle

 

[RonnieT24]

Didn't that MetLife turf claim like 4-5 star players last year as well?

 

[Plankton]

Bad grass fields can cause more injuries than turf fields. Soldier Field late in the season is like playing football in a cow pasture.

 

[KingCorcoran]

It must be hard they still haven’t figured out how to do it. You would think if you can put men on the moon, it could be done.

Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium has real grass and it’s a non-retractable dome stadium. It’s an extraordinarily expensive stadium, but real grass either important or it isn’t.

 

[Scottishcowboy]

If it could be done they would. Even indoor grass needs some light. This is why it can’t be done.

Soccer stadiums in Europe are starting to put retractable fields in stadiums that wheel out to the outdoors between games.

They also use huge metal squares (40 feet wide) with super strength lights to help the grass grow year round......a few of the English Premiership teams have this.

I heard years ago that they thought light was the issue but apparently lack of wind (so air circulating on the grass) is just as big an issue. It's why newer stadiums have tunnels at the 4 corners they can open.

I think grass anywhere is do-able, it's the cost that probably stops teams making the switch.

 

[yentl911]

If it could be done they would. Even indoor grass needs some light. This is why it can’t be done.

People have been growing "grass" inside for years without issue. Just saying.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

28 year old tendons cause less injuries than 40 year old tendons.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

If it could be done they would. Even indoor grass needs some light. This is why it can’t be done.

In Vegas, they roll the grass outside to grow, then roll it back in for games. Ridiculous, isn't it?