Introduction:
The injury of player Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins, who suffered an Achilles tendon tear during the Black Friday game, has reignited the debate over the safety of playing on artificial turf. Phillips joins a long list of players who have experienced lower limb injuries this season, with players demanding a change in fields they consider unnecessarily hazardous.
Recent Injuries:
In this section, we will review some major injuries sustained by American football players this season:
The Debate on Artificial Turf:
In this section, we will discuss the controversy over whether fields should be made of natural or artificial materials. There are 15 stadiums in the National Football League using synthetic grass and 15 using natural grass. The NFL Players Association has called for a complete shift to natural grass over artificial turf for years, and Rodgers advocated that this change be league-wide before he suffered an Achilles injury. Artificial turf is considered softer and allows “more give” when feet hit the ground, leading to unexpected injuries. The union renewed its call for change again after Rodgers’ injury, deeming it “the easiest decision the NFL can make.” NBC News reported on Sunday that among the ten stadiums with the highest injury rates between 2017 and 2022, seven used synthetic fields. Sports Info Solutions reported that players are more prone to injuries that force them to leave games when playing on artificial grass.
Response from the NFL:
The NFL claims that artificial fields are there for a reason and that the risks are equal. Jeff Miller, the league’s executive vice president, stated that the league focuses on reducing injury rates regardless of the playing surface, and that the type of field is largely left to teams that manage their home venues. Natural grass fields are generally more expensive to maintain than synthetic ones and must be preserved with high-quality grass, which may struggle in colder parts of the country during winter months, according to a CBS report. The Tennessee Titans stated they switched to artificial turf simply because maintaining natural grass was impossible.
The Big Numbers:
$312.2 million, that’s the amount players with injuries to the ACL or Achilles tendon and other lower limb injuries will collectively receive this year.
The Negative Impact on American Football:
American football players face numerous injuries due to the nature of the game as a full-contact sport. Common injuries in American football include strains, sprains, dislocations, fractures, and concussions. The NFL reported that 213 players suffered concussions during regular or preseason games last year, compared to 187 in 2021 and 172 in 2020. The league has faced intense criticism for the increase in players diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to hard hits, leading to symptoms such as mental health changes and death.
Conclusion:
The debate over the safety of artificial turf in American football raises an important issue. While some argue that artificial fields cause more severe injuries, others insist that the risks are equal between synthetic turf and natural grass. The NFL should make decisions based on available scientific evidence and research to improve player safety and reduce injury rates. It may be better to use natural grass in fields where possible and appropriate, and to work on improving the quality of artificial turf to minimize potential risks.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/11/27/more-nfl-players-injured-as-debate-over-turf-fields-heats-up-something-has-to-change/
Leave a Reply