Aaron Rodgers was one other sufferer to the turf at MetLife Stadium, because the New York Jets quarterback took simply 4 snaps earlier than struggling a season-ending Achilles harm. Rodgers probably will not be the final vital harm at MetLife Stadium, however his season-ending harm had gamers in an uproar over synthetic turf enjoying floor — particularly the place the Jets and New York Giants play.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay did not maintain again on what occurred with Rodgers. He has to play at MetLife Stadium each season, and can play there twice in 2023.
New turf was put in at MetLife Stadium this 12 months, as Buffalo Payments sort out Dion Dawkins and Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley each admitted the turf felt softer. Mosley additionally mentioned he’d want to play on grass, comparable with Jets working again Breece Corridor.
Randall Cobb took a considerably completely different method, venting about how Rodgers is misplaced for the 12 months due to the turf — new floor or not.
“I’ve by no means been a fan of turf. I by no means shall be a fan of turf,” Cobb mentioned, via Yahoo! Sports. “It is loopy that the MLS will change stuff for Messi. Premier League will do every little thing they will to guard gamers with grass fields. However the NFL’s extra frightened about creating wealth.”
To appropriate Cobb, no MLS groups have truly modified from synthetic turf to pure grass for Messi — but. Messi has even mentioned he does not thoughts enjoying on synthetic turf and synthetic enjoying surfaces is not going to forestall him from enjoying in any upcoming matches.
“The reality is my youth was spent on synthetic turf, my entire life was on that pitch,” Messi mentioned, via The Athletic. “Reality is it has been some time since I’ve performed on synthetic turf, however I’ve no drawback adapting myself once more.”
Messi’s first sport on a synthetic turf subject is Saturday in opposition to Atlanta United, who play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — the place the Atlanta Falcons play. David Beckham was adamant about not eager to play on synthetic turf when he was in MLS, expressing the long-term results enjoying on the floor did to the physique. Thierry Henry expressed these considerations in MLS as effectively.
Inexperienced Bay Packers sort out David Bakhtiari — a former teammate of Rodgers — posted on social media about the MetLife Stadium turf, whereas DJ Reed additionally posted in regards to the scenario. Reed was greater than concise about his stance.
The NFL might not swap to pure grass any time quickly, and the gamers’ reactions to Rodgers harm are combined. Maybe extra video games on the brand new turf at MetLife Stadium should be performed earlier than drawing a conclusion on the enjoying floor.
