On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks played the first-ever regular season NFL game in Germany. It does not appear that the field at Allianz Arena Stadium in Munich was ready for it.
There have been a lot of instances of players on both teams slipping, including an incredibly bad-looking slip by Tom Brady on a trick play that resulted in an interception.
When you get Brady with one on one coverage near the redzone, you just have to throw it his way. pic.twitter.com/BEmxHTvc4X
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 13, 2022
Along with players slipping, it seems like the turf is coming up in huge chunks during some plays as well.
The field in Germany isn’t looking so good pic.twitter.com/arEon8WIFb
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) November 13, 2022
NFL fans and others have been voicing their disappointment over the situation on social media.
“They’ve been preparing for this game for how long? And that’s what they come up with? They don’t have lawn care specialists in Germany?,” said Dave “Softy” Mahler, a Seattle sports radio host.
Is the NFL Network broadcast intentionally ignoring how bad this field in Germany is? Players have been slipping all game.
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) November 13, 2022
“Is the NFL Network broadcast intentionally ignoring how bad this field in Germany is? Players have been slipping all game,” said reporter Cork Gaines.
One of the major issues with playing on a pitch overseas is that the grass isn't built to handle 250lb. people running and cutting. It's made for 170lb. soccer players. 1st game in Germany and you can see that the field is going to be an issue.
— NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) November 13, 2022
“One of the major issues with playing on a pitch overseas is that the grass isn’t built to handle 250lb. people running and cutting. It’s made for 170lb. soccer players. 1st game in Germany and you can see that the field is going to be an issue,” wrote Twitter account NFL Philosophy.
These players are slipping all over on the field in Germany! The field looks so beat up
— Connie Carberg (@ConnieScouts) November 13, 2022
“These players are slipping all over on the field in Germany! The field looks so beat up,” wrote Connie Carberg.
We’ll see if any of the players or the league have anything to say about the field conditions after the game.
