Outrage in Pittsburgh: Steelers players criticize the condition of the field

Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns expressed their “outrage” and concern to the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) about the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium last weekend, according to a union source. The NFLPA has conveyed its concern to the NFL and will work to ensure that players are not in that situation in the future. Several players pointed out that the field was “dry.” Broderick Jones, Steelers offensive lineman, was one of those who reported that they were “lifting pieces of turf” when making explosive movements. A league spokesman, Brian McCarthy, indicated that the NFL has been in contact with both the union and the club, which has taken steps to replace the grass surface.

I thought it was poor on Sunday. I’m not concerned about the future. I understand that that grass is going to be replaced, but I certainly recognize that it was a concern yesterday.

Mike Tomlin, Steelers Coach

Steelers kicker Chris Boswell slipped on the turf while attempting and missing a field goal in the final quarter. In addition, special teams captain Miles Killebrew suffered a “significant” non-contact knee injury.

Honestly, it was shit. I lost one of my teammates and that makes me sad.

Cameron Heyward, Steelers defensive captain

Heyward prefers natural grass over artificial turf, which has generated controversy in stadiums like MetLife due to injuries. The league has stated that there was no difference in injury rates between synthetic and natural turf surfaces last season. There were also fewer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries on synthetic surfaces than on grass, and there has been no difference so far this year.

I like the grass, but that wasn’t grass to play on.

Cameron Heyward, Steelers defensive captain

An NFLPA source echoed Heyward’s sentiments about the preference for grass surfaces, but emphasized that the quality of the grass is important.

Players prefer grass fields, but not all grass surfaces are created equal. The conditions at Acrisure Stadium underscore why players have pushed for high-quality grass fields, and why the NFLPA continues to push for improved and shared maintenance practices of grass fields across the league.

Source from the NFLPA

The Steelers share a stadium with the University of Pittsburgh, but neither team had played at Acrisure the week before Sunday’s game. Pitt hosted Boston College on October 4, while the Steelers’ only home game before the game against the Browns was against the Seattle Seahawks on September 14. While the Steelers only had one home game in that period, Pitt hosted four of their first five games at Acrisure. Managing field wear and tear between two teams is not new on the field, but typically conditions have worsened much later in the season before a reseeding.Fuente de la NFLPA