NFL Players Renew Grass Push as World Cup Ends
SkimNews Take
The World Cup is functioning as a free, high-visibility proof-of-concept for grass fields, shifting the burden of proof in the safety debate — owners now face "why revert?" rather than having to justify why they should switch.
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- NFL players including Bears QB Caleb Williams and Commanders OT Laremy Tunsil posted Friday with #WorthTheCost, arguing that if stadiums can install grass for the World Cup, they can keep it for NFL games.
- The NFLPA released a statement at the start of the World Cup urging owners to switch to natural grass permanently, citing a survey figure that '92% of NFL players prefer natural grass.'
- Seven of the 11 NFL stadiums hosting World Cup matches — including MetLife Stadium — typically use synthetic turf for NFL games and are set to revert after Sunday's final.
- 49ers TE George Kittle issued a separate statement in June saying grass 'is better on our bodies' and calling on the league to 'invest in us as players, because our bodies are our business.'
- The NFL did not respond to a request for comment on the players' social media campaign as of Friday afternoon.
- Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin framed the fight in economic terms, writing: 'The cost of doing nothing is paid for by players' bodies. Make grass mandatory.'
Why it matters: The World Cup has given the NFLPA concrete, public evidence that grass is logistically feasible at every host stadium, sharpening their leverage: 92% of surveyed players want grass, seven stadiums proved they can install it temporarily, and owners now face the visible optics of tearing it out 48 hours after the final. The NFL's silence Friday leaves the league without a public counterargument as player pressure escalates.
