NFL needs to 'seriously' look into grass-turf debate

[RamFan503]

Look in a state where grass is legal, we need a stadium full of grass. Oh shit, wrong grass

 

[RamFan503]

I think that the soil/root base would have to be much thicker than that video. You have 300 pound men digging in on an NFL field - not 150 lb guys running around faking injuries.

Seriously though, there is much more stress on an NFL field than a soccer field. I remember when the center section of a field had to be replaced before a game. The soil layer for the turf looked like it was 4-6" thick. That's a pretty massive undertaking on a regular basis. I also don't think the seams would hold up if it had to be constantly moved in and out. I would guess that they would need probably 2 fields worth of grass to alternate between games and would have to schedule the Rams and Chargers for the same week in order to give the grass a chance to recover enough. I just don't see that happening.

Of course they could just schedule the Chargers to play in SD where they belong,

I would think that unless they can figure out a way to get grass to grow in SOFI, it ain't going to happen.

 

[Classic Rams]

They've been debating about grass vs turf since I started watching football when Charlie's Angels' was a new hit. Remember that Bear WR that broke both his legs at Soldier field in the 80s? That was crazy. Doubt the NFL does anything based on this story, and owners rarely upgrade for the players' sake. If they thought more about the player's safety we'd still have 16 games and all grass fields in outdoor stadiums.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Let's build a state of the art stadium and have a crappy field.

 

[LARams_1963]

They would have to do what I believe Arizona does. Between games roll it out of the stadium on a retractable floor (I guess that is what it is called) and take care of the grass outside. Then roll it back in for the game.

The difference is the field at Glendale is on a level that it can be rolled out. The SoFi field level is 100’ below ground level all the way around.

 

[PhillyRam]

The difference is the field at Glendale is on a level that it can be rolled out. The SoFi field level is 100’ below ground level all the way around.

You would think they could roll a floor over the turf when needed for a concert or basketball game etc...

 

[PhillyRam]

They've been debating about grass vs turf since I started watching football when Charlie's Angels' was a new hit. Remember that Bear WR that broke both his legs at Soldier field in the 80s? That was crazy. Doubt the NFL does anything based on this story, and owners rarely upgrade for the players' sake. If they thought more about the player's safety we'd still have 16 games and all grass fields in outdoor stadiums.

That was the Vet in Philly. Wendel Davis of the Bears I believe did that. The Vet had seams for the cut outs for the 1st, 2nd base etc... players would get their cleats or I guess their turf shoe gripy soles stuck in those seems.

 

[TSFH Fan]

grow lights/lamps

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium introduces world-first integrated pitch grow light | Stadia Magazine

The world’s first integrated grow light system to maintain the grass playing surface will be among the many new technologies and innovations to be

www.stadia-magazine.com

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf | Stadia Magazine

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf

www.stadia-magazine.com

 

[Pancake]

I think TSFH FAN is going down the right path. You don't take the grass outside you take lights to the grass.

 

[TheTackle]

Quick temporary grass installed at SoFi just a couple months ago for soccer:


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9q3rGZ7_xWo

When facts meet opinion. Great post, again

The roof looks like it would work a little like a greenhouse FFS, perhaps some around here haven’t heard of them, but plants tend to do pretty well

 

[TheTackle]

grow lights/lamps

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium introduces world-first integrated pitch grow light | Stadia Magazine

The world’s first integrated grow light system to maintain the grass playing surface will be among the many new technologies and innovations to be

www.stadia-magazine.com

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf | Stadia Magazine

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf

www.stadia-magazine.com

Nice post, let’s not let the facts get in the way, heh

This has been one of my favourite conversations around here for ages because it has been so easy to prove opinions wrong. Bravo or should I say touché

 

[SuperMan28]

Let's just bring back the good stuff...


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rvuyo6YkEj0&t=418s

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah I've been browsing about it just now. I haven't found a lot of specifics about it yet.

Looks like the width of the field is a significant issue-- along with the grass issue.

FIFA Officials: SoFi Stadium's Dimensions Are "Too Narrow"

With USA set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, FIFA officials state that SoFi does not meet the requirements necessary to stage a soccer game.

frontofficesports.com

I was wondering how narrow?

From the article: “Given SoFi’s dimensions, they would need to extend the width of the field by at least 63 feet.”

That is a lot.

 

[CGI_Ram]

grow lights/lamps

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium introduces world-first integrated pitch grow light | Stadia Magazine

The world’s first integrated grow light system to maintain the grass playing surface will be among the many new technologies and innovations to be

www.stadia-magazine.com

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf | Stadia Magazine

Allianz Arena first to use LED lights to grow turf

www.stadia-magazine.com

You would THINK, with evolving light technology, you could grow BETTER that way… than outside/naturally.

 

[den-the-coach]

The roof looks like it would work a little like a greenhouse FFS, perhaps some around here haven’t heard of them, but plants tend to do pretty well

Yes Photosynthesis, basic 9th grade biology I think everyone is aware of it, the questions looms can it work on a consistent basis long term? Hopefully because there is no reason all fields should not be grass IMHO plus properly maintained unlike FedEx Field in Maryland.

 

[MadGoat]

Turf Type and NFL Injuries: Part I

Is natural grass really the safest surface for NFL players? And are certain artificial turfs safer than others?

www.footballoutsiders.com

I haven't seen an updated version of this, but it should still be relevant.

SoFi uses Hellas Matrix Turf. It gives some credence to the question of "Why do NFL teams play on different synthetic turf?"

 

[oldnotdead]

There is no way to retrofit grass in SoFi. As someone who understands horticulture, it's more than just using grow lights. Grass is a water hog in a state where rationing is a very real thing in the future. How would they drain the water? Fertilizers and pest control are huge polluters. Golf courses are not only huge wastes of water but among te biggest polluters as well.

Get real, there is no way to retrofit SoFi.

It would be easier to create a mat to play on that would mimic the properties of natural grass. Part of the problem is synthetic turf having to look like grass forces tradeoffs. Playing on a specially designed mat would mean designing new shoes, the mat would offer a far more consistent surface than even natural grass.in terms of footing and impact. Sport bracing will evolve into being more fabric sleeve like that would become common if not mandatory. Why not do away with the hard shell helmet as well? That alone will reduce more injuries than turf. It would no longer become a weapon.

There are a raft of other things the NFL can do to make the game safer. Will they? Some may be in decades, but most no. That would mean officially and legally admitting to the violence of the game, something they would never do.

 

[PhillyRam]

There is no way to retrofit grass in SoFi. As someone who understands horticulture, it's more than just using grow lights. Grass is a water hog in a state where rationing is a very real thing in the future. How would they drain the water? Fertilizers and pest control are huge polluters. Golf courses are not only huge wastes of water but among te biggest polluters as well.

Get real, there is no way to retrofit SoFi.

It would be easier to create a mat to play on that would mimic the properties of natural grass. Part of the problem is synthetic turf having to look like grass forces tradeoffs. Playing on a specially designed mat would mean designing new shoes, the mat would offer a far more consistent surface than even natural grass.in terms of footing and impact. Sport bracing will evolve into being more fabric sleeve like that would become common if not mandatory. Why not do away with the hard shell helmet as well? That alone will reduce more injuries than turf. It would no longer become a weapon.

There are a raft of other things the NFL can do to make the game safer. Will they? Some may be in decades, but most no. That would mean officially and legally admitting to the violence of the game, something they would never do.

Yet they have grass in Arizona...essentially a desert.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Turf Type and NFL Injuries: Part I

Is natural grass really the safest surface for NFL players? And are certain artificial turfs safer than others?

www.footballoutsiders.com

I haven't seen an updated version of this, but it should still be relevant.

SoFi uses Hellas Matrix Turf. It gives some credence to the question of "Why do NFL teams play on different synthetic turf?"

Interesting article. Unfortunately a fair amount of uncertainty in the data, mostly due to small sample sizes.

 

[XXXIVwin]

There is no way to retrofit grass in SoFi. As someone who understands horticulture, it's more than just using grow lights.

Just curious, what do you anticipate SoFi will do to accommodate soccer on grass at the World Cup in 2026?