On Wednesday morning, NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell called for the league to move to natural grass playing surfaces in all stadiums across the NFL, saying “The data is clear that grass is simply safer than artificial turf.” But it doesn’t sound like NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is convinced.
During an interview with Stephen A. Smith on First Take, Goodell claimed that there are “mixed opinions” on the debate between natural grass and artificial turf, but said that the league wants to follow the science behind what is truly better for player safety.
“You have other players who like playing on the turf field, because it’s faster. So you’ve got mixed opinions,” Goodell said on First Take according to On3. “What we want to go on is science, we want to go on what’s the best from an injury standpoint.”
There have been plenty of brutal and severe injuries accruing on artificial turf in recent years, but Goodell does not want to make any decisions based on anecdotal events. He wants to make sure they’re following the data.
“That’s how we make decisions, not because I see an injury that I don’t like,” Goodell added. “Ultimately, I want our experts to come back and give it to us.”
It’s worth noting that the data over the past several seasons clearly indicates that injuries occur at a much higher rate on artificial turf compared to natural grass, so it’s not clear what data or information Goodell is waiting on to make this decision.
[On3]
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