Last season, the NFL moved a Chiefs-Rams MNF game from the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the LA Coliseum, due to brutal field conditions. That happened just a week before the game.
But the NFL scheduled a return to the Estadio Azteca in 2019 for Monday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game… and the playing surface still sucks.
On the first play, Chiefs receiver fell down with no one nearby. ESPN said the turf was inspected Saturday and given an “A” by the league, but the players keep looking at the turf as if it’s not in good shape.
Joe Tess and Booger aren’t discussing what could be a storyline. https://t.co/hxw9SavAKF
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) November 19, 2019
Exceptionally safe. Totally normal. pic.twitter.com/p6HwAS98oi
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 19, 2019
Good old Azteca Stadium 🤔#Chiefs #MNF pic.twitter.com/WOwLqE4bTu
— Faron (@_pfs1992) November 19, 2019
The divots in this turf at Azteca are absolutely atrocious tonight. Someone is going to get hurt.
Teams HATE playing in this stadium. The league needs to stop forcing them to go.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 19, 2019
This field at Estadio Azteca is falling apart by the play lol
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) November 19, 2019
NFL: We care about player safety
Me after taking one look at the field tonight: pic.twitter.com/3ghjB5aspN
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) November 19, 2019
At halftime, many workers at the stadium tried to fill divots all over the turf.
Workers are trying to fill divots at halftime. pic.twitter.com/UtqQZmAN3k
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) November 19, 2019
So, this is still a mess and a horrible look for the NFL. But we know they care far more about money than player safety and quality field conditions. And that’s why the league is looking to only add more international games, with the eventual 17-game schedule potentially leading to every team having at least one international game a year. So get used to it.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.