Over the past few months, artificial turf has become a massive source of conversation throughout all levels of football as players and coaches push decision-makers to reconsider the use of artificial playing surfaces due to player safety. But that doesn’t mean everyone is going to listen or follow through, regardless of the evidence.
Earlier this week, a major study provided statistical proof that one particular kind of artificial turf system called “slit-film” is likely to lead to lower-extremity injuries. That’s concerning for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who just installed a multi-million dollar slit-film turf system in Ohio Stadium this past year.
According to Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, the recent concerns with the slit-film turf did lead administrators within the Ohio State athletic department to have “some discussions” about the safety of the turf. However, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith does not expect to make any changes to the newly-installed field this season or in the near future.
Despite these conversations, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told me he does not anticipate any changes to the field at Ohio Stadium. https://t.co/y2urxYDkSu
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 15, 2022
Ohio State’s decision not to replace its turf has led to plenty of frustration in the college football world, especially considering the many injuries Buckeye players have suffered on the playing surface this season.
https://twitter.com/cjrt96/status/1592705505168097280?s=20&t=ftQVJ8HQIKcUKnmFtr9A_A
Why risk it? Take it out and replace it with something better https://t.co/jsSJ1OONtS
— Eric Stockman (@E13Stocks) November 15, 2022
Yes, I mean they just signed a TV contract worth $70M+ a year. 🙄 They can afford it.
— DarkBlueBuckeye🇺🇦 (@OxfordBuckeye) November 16, 2022
It’s ridiculous that they didn’t have the foresight to either choose a nonslip surface or build indemnification into the purchase contract in the event a player is hurt from slipping.
— 🇺🇸 Scarlet 🇺🇸 (@ScarletOGray) November 15, 2022
Based on the last turf, they're going to squeeze every bit out of it until a major injury occurs
— Dan Hughes (@GoBuckeyes4Life) November 15, 2022
Whatever is the safest, put it in there. No reason not to. No dollar amount should matter. Heck they already sold advertising on it to pay for it anyway.
— Buckeye Football (@BuckeyeFBL) November 15, 2022
One of the many players leading the charge for the NFL to switch to natural grass playing surfaces is actually former Ohio State star Nick Bosa, who has suffered multiple lower-body injuries playing on turf fields. However, none of those injuries were sustained on Ohio State’s turf.
[Dan Hope]
