Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) voice his concerns about playing on artificial turf instead of grass. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers takes shot at NFL over player safety

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Alex Ratliff | Last updated 11/17/22

The NFL has faced plenty of scrutiny this season regarding player safety. More specifically, players are unhappy about playing on artificial surfaces. Aaron Rodgers is the latest star to voice his concerns about playing on artificial turf instead of grass.

The issue is that players are more likely to suffer contact and non-contact injuries on artificial turf in comparison to grass. Unsurprisingly, turf is not a forgiving surface.

Specifically, players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.

Aaron Rodgers’ concern for player safety

On Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers was asked about the growing concern for player safety. Rodgers believes it’s time for the NFL to make a change. Later, Rodgers was asked if he thought the league would make a change. He said that he does not think the NFL will do anything about it.

“As much as I’ve enjoyed playing indoors over the years on turf, I do think it’s time to play on grass,” Rodgers said. “I think you’d see less of these non-contact injuries. … This would be putting money where your mouth is if the league is really interested in player safety.”

Rodgers has witnessed the dangers of playing on turf this season. His teammate Rashan Gary suffered a season-ending injury while playing on turf earlier this year in Detroit.

Will we see the NFL make a change to all grass fields in the near future? It would cost the NFL a fortune to make the change, however it might be worth it in order to maintain the health and safety of players across the league.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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