New York Jets players continue to call for a new surface at MetLife Stadium
Add another New York Jets player to the list of those who have criticized the MetLife Stadium turf.
In response to an article from ProFootballTalk that reported a joint NFL/NFLPA committee found similar injury rates on grass and turf fields, cornerback Michael Carter II chimed in on the debate.
“Need some of these people to go into MetLife and bounce off that turf for 3 hours and tell me how you feel after vs grass,” said Carter.
Need some of these people to go into MetLife and bounce off that turf for 3 hours and tell me how you feel after vs grass 😂 https://t.co/Uy7LrprkYi
— Michael Carter II (@mcarter2nd) February 2, 2024
The article states, “A joint committee by the NFL and NFL Players Association found that the incidence of lower body injuries was about the same on turf fields as it was on grass fields during the 2023 season.”
Additionally, the study found that “the rate of injuries that occur in the lower extremities without contact from another player was 0.001 higher per 100 plays on turf than it was on grass.”
The NFLPA said in response that “the data did not change its belief” in grass fields and “injury data in a one-year time capsule does not account for what we have known since we started tracking these injuries: that a well-maintained, consistent grass surface is still simply safer for players than any synthetic field.”
Carter’s tweet showcases an essential factor in regards to the players’ view of playing surfaces.
The debate between turf and grass fields is not only about the number of injuries but also how the playing surface affects players’ bodies throughout a season.
Players, as evidenced by the claims of Carter and others, say they feel greater impact from hits when they fall on turf than on grass. The artificial surfaces have much less give to them than the natural ones. As a result, this heavier impact causes more wear and tear on players’ bodies over time.
MetLife Stadium is a primary culprit, as it has gained a reputation around the league for being one of the worst surfaces to play on. Whether due to the lack of give on the turf or the feeling of hitting the surface, the Jets’ and Giants’ home stadium serves as the poster child for why players want to switch to grass.
It remains to be seen if MetLife, among other stadiums, will change to grass or natural surfaces in the future. But until that change is made, players on both the Jets and other teams will continue criticizing the stadium’s playing surface.