Regardless of whether is cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs or Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII, one thing has been noticed by all fans watching the game. The field at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium has been an issue.
It was an issue throughout the first half of the game and after Rihanna’s halftime show, things were even worse in the opening minutes of the third quarter.
The #SuperBowl field conditions have been a problem. 🏈😬 pic.twitter.com/czS03k9Zr1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 13, 2023
Things got so bad that Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco lost his footing and nearly fell to the ground during an end zone celebration after his third-quarter touchdown.
Isiah Pacheco with a touchdown, and the Chiefs cut the Eagles' lead to 24-21 to open the second half! 🏈 #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Sg42f9hbVE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 13, 2023
Viewers of the Super Bowl were highly critical of the field, feeling that the field shouldn’t be such an issue during the season’s most important game.
The NFL is hilarious. A meticulously planned internationally watched championship showcase and they just randomly decided to paint the field with slip and slide juice lmao
— Mike Guardabascio (@Guardabascio) February 13, 2023
The footing is looking a little less than ideal with guys slipping while doing their cellys.
— Jennifer Lee Chan – threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) February 13, 2023
Why is everyone sliding all over the field
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) February 13, 2023
What a save. This field is unacceptable pic.twitter.com/RH8h0fyTST
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) February 13, 2023
Did they drive a Zamboni over the field at halftime?
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) February 13, 2023
I think I have seen 700 players slip on this field today
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) February 13, 2023
This is, unfortunately, not an uncommon issue for the NFL. It was an issue at Super Bowl 50 in 2016, when the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos were slipping all over the field at Levi’s Stadium. Generally, though, if the field isn’t exposed to any poor weather conditions, it shouldn’t be such a significant issue.
Hopefully the remedies used, such as changing spikes, help fix the issues. And hopefully the groundscrew at Allegiant Stadium — the host of Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 — learn from the mistakes made in Glendale.
[Photo Credit: Fox]
