“We need to get rid of turf altogether,” Jason Kelce declared on the New Heights podcast last year. Little did he know his words would prove prophetic as the NFL’s Brazilian debut on September 6, 2024, turned into an unexpected slip ‘n slide event at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena. The historic first NFL game in South America, pitting the Green Bay Packers against the Philadelphia Eagles, quickly became a showcase of unintentional acrobatics rather than athletic prowess.

Saquon Barkley, making his eagerly anticipated debut as an Eagle, set the tone for the night. His first carry, a moment Eagles fans had dreamed about all offseason, ended with the star running back face-down on the turf, losing 5 yards in the process. Even Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur couldn’t ignore the elephant – or rather, the ice rink – in the room.

At halftime, he told reporters, “Yeah, you know, you gotta do whatever you gotta do, change your cleats, but it’s been a problem for sure.” His terse response spoke volumes about the frustration brewing on both sidelines.

What should have been a thrilling matchup between two of the NFL’s most talented teams instead became a frantic search for the right footwear. Both teams scrambled on the sidelines, swapping cleats in a desperate attempt to find traction on the treacherous turf. Even Packers QB Jordan Love lost his footing, proving that no one was immune to the slippery conditions.

“The field is annoying” Chris Simms too reacted during the halftime. Meanwhile, Barkley wasn’t alone in his struggle to stay upright. Packers receiver Christian Watson‘s potential touchdown catch in the first quarter turned into a turf tango, slipping multiple times including once in the end zone.

Running back Emanuel Wilson‘s impressive 14-yard dash concluded with an impromptu seat-slide.  The field conditions quickly overshadowed the NFL’s South American premiere, catching the attention of sports stars across disciplines.

Slippery turf can reignite grass vs. artificial surface debate

The Brazil blooper reel has added fuel to the ongoing turf vs. grass debate in the NFL. NBA superstar LeBron James took to his X handle, writing, “Man this field sucks!!! GB vs PHI,” with a face-palm emoji, echoing the frustration felt by players and fans alike.

Ironically, according to SPORTINGNEWS, Corinthians Arena uses GrassMaster, a product that combines perennial Ryegrass with artificial fibers. It’s the same surface used at Lincoln Financial Field and Lambeau Field, the home turfs of the Eagles and Packers respectively. This twist raises questions about the NFL’s preparation for international games and whether the pursuit of global expansion is putting player safety on the back burner.

The NFLPA has long advocated for grass fields, citing player safety concerns. Their data shows that during the 2022 NFL season, players suffered more non-contact injuries on turf than on natural grass. JC Tretter, NFLPA president, stated bluntly, “Grass is a significantly safer surface than turf.” It seems professional athletes are begging to get their uniforms dirty if it means staying in the game.

While the NFL claims there are “no simple answers,” innovative solutions exist. Foxweather reported on October 11, 2023, that Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and State Farm Stadium in Arizona both feature retractable grass fields. These desert stadiums maintain natural playing surfaces by rolling the entire field in and out of the stadium.

As State Farm Stadium explained, “The roll-out natural grass playing field is contained in a single 40-inch-deep tray measuring 234 feet wide and 403 feet long. Rolling on 546 steel wheels which rest on 13 railroad-like tracks, the field travels the 740 feet inside or out of the stadium.” In 2023, 15 NFL teams played on natural grass, including the Miami Dolphins’ Bermuda grass at Hard Rock Stadium and the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Kentucky bluegrass at Acrisure Stadium.

The remaining 17 teams played on various types of artificial turf, from FieldTurf CORE at the Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome to UBU Speed Series S5-M at the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium. As the NFL continues its global push, perhaps it’s time to roll out some new ideas – and some real grass – to keep players on their feet and fans on the edge of their seats.