Why Is Allegiant Stadium So Injury-Prone? Raiders Groundskeeper Reveals Real Reason Before Super Bowl LVIII

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, the saying goes. But this time, whoever wins Super Bowl LVIII, the buzz will be felt beyond Sin City, and the winner (the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers) will indeed mark its name in NFL history. The epicenter of the football action, Allegiant Stadium, will probably expand its 65,000 seating capacity after viewing the ticket sales increase. However, the stadium might not help the players in their injury concerns.

Known as “Death Star,” the venue is more dangerous for athletes than any other NFL stadium. But why is the Raiders’ home ground so notorious for injuring athletes? The Raiders’ groundskeeper recently revealed the reason ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl LVIII.

Is the “grass” at Allegiant Stadium the reason?

On Wednesday, on the latest GQ Sports All Access episode, viewers were treated to an inside look at the $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium ahead of the Super Bowl. Alongside exploring the facilities and preparations, the host, Clay Skipper, highlighted the stadium’s impressive grass on a tray outside, as the arena can’t sustain any growth inside. Skipper spoke to the Raiders’ groundskeeper, Zachary Longenecker, about the grass condition in the stadium. Longenecker said the stadium is “equipped with a retractable 100% grass field.”

He briefed that the grass is grown on a structure with 2 inches of drainage, followed by an inch of irrigation pipes. On top of that, six inches of sand provide a sturdy foundation for the intense football games played by 300-pound athletes on Sunday. Longenecker emphasized that the goal is to create a firm, fast, and, most importantly, safe field for the players. He highlighted that different NFL teams have varying preferences for their grass height, with some opting for an inch. Currently, the stadium maintains a height of approximately half an inch.

This choice caters to Raiders’ players like Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams, who prefer a quick playing surface. As they opt for a small grass height to enhance quickness, it suggests less room between players and the pitch (the playing surface). A smaller distance between the surface and players on the field could increase the likelihood of injuries due to closer player interactions.

Read more: Super Bowl LVIII Venue: Allegiant Stadium Most Dangerous With 598 Injuries in 25 Games

However, Longenecker emphasized that they are ensuring the field contributes to player safety, as they shipped the grass surface to the stadium recently. They aim to avoid any potential injuries as the most significant event of the NFL is going to take place here on February 11.

What type of grass is used for the Super Bowl game?

The upcoming 58th Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will feature a field covered with natural grass. The grass, a hybrid Bermuda variety known as “Tahoma 31 Bermuda,” was transported from California and had been undergoing tests for the past few weeks. This particular grass requires special care and sunlight during the day. To accommodate this requirement, Allegiant Stadium has a unique feature — a “retractable tray” to move the grass into the stadium on game day.

The grass, growing on a plastic base with minimal soil and sand, is designed for easy transportation. About a week before the game, the existing grass is removed, and the new grass is laid out after preparing the foundation. This process ensures a fresh and well-maintained playing surface for the Super Bowl.

So, it will be important to observe that players in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium avoid injuries during the game.

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