NFL Players Push for Grass Fields Amid Turf Controversy
WHO:
Sportskeeda - Devin McCourty, NFLPA member, criticized the NFL for the surface change at SoFi Stadium.
Sportskeeda - George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers player
NBC News - United States men’s national soccer team
WHAT:
Boston.com - "The temporary installation of natural grass fields for the World Cup is a choice by certain NFL team owners to do for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players."
Sportskeeda - McCourty described the installation of grass for the FIFA World Cup while maintaining turf for NFL games as "the most disrespectful thing."
Sportskeeda - George Kittle advocates for grass fields at NFL games.
NBC News - SoFi Stadium has newly installed grass for the FIFA World Cup.
WHERE:
NBC News - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
WHEN:
NBC News - The United States men’s national team will play its first World Cup match on newly installed grass at SoFi Stadium.
WHY:
NBC News - The NFLPA supports McCourty's stance, highlighting the disparity in field conditions for different sports.
NBC News - The installation of grass at SoFi Stadium is seen as a "slap in the face" to NFL players who typically play on turf.
HOW:
NBC News - The change in surface at SoFi Stadium was made specifically for the FIFA World Cup.
(UPDATED June 13, 2026 13:22 UTC)
In a surprising move, certain NFL team owners have opted to install temporary natural grass fields for the upcoming World Cup, a decision that has sparked some debate. Critics argue that this choice highlights a disparity, as these owners have historically resisted similar accommodations for NFL players. This development raises questions about the priorities in player welfare across different sports.
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(UPDATED June 13, 2026 06:21 UTC)
Devin McCourty, an NFLPA member, has publicly criticized the NFL for its decision to change the playing surface at SoFi Stadium. He described the installation of grass for the upcoming FIFA World Cup while keeping turf for NFL games as "the most disrespectful thing." The NFLPA is backing McCourty's position, emphasizing the unfairness in field conditions between the two sports.
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(UPDATED June 13, 2026 04:23 UTC)
George Kittle, a player for the San Francisco 49ers, is advocating for the use of grass fields at NFL games, highlighting a recent change at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where newly installed grass has been laid down for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This shift in surface is viewed by some as a "slap in the face" to NFL players who usually compete on turf, and it will be put to the test when the United States men's national soccer team plays its first World Cup match there. The decision to install grass at SoFi Stadium was made specifically for the World Cup, which has sparked discussions about player safety and field conditions in the NFL.