San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during an NFL game at SoFi Stadium. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

NFL players weigh-in on request for safer playing fields

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/12/22

On Saturday, NFLPA president J.C. Tretter published a letter calling for changes to playing surfaces throughout the NFL in the name of player safety.

Tretter outlined three requests from the NFLPA, including replacing and banning slit film turf, removing obvious flaws or abnormalities on fields, and clearing excess people and equipment on the sidelines.

The NFLPA's primary focus is on slit film turf, which Tretter says causes a higher rate of lower-body and non-contact injuries. On Saturday, several players weighed on the turf and called for change.

Ask any player and they will tell you they prefer to play on grass. Even coaches will tell you it's easier to stand on sideline if it's a grass field. We know the data, the bare minimum the NFL should do is remove slit film turf, the evidence is there. #saferfields
— Alex Mack (@alexmack51) November 12, 2022

We want to be on the field, coaches want us on the field, and so do the fans. Slit film turf is taking too many guys out of the game. #SaferFields
— Tommy Tremble (@TommyTremble) November 12, 2022

We have to fight for the future of football to be safer for all players. We know beyond any suspicion that slit film turf is a risk to the health and wellness of our league. It’s time we move to #SaferFields
— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) November 12, 2022

Others, like Green Bay Packers wideout Allen Lazard and San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, called out the NFL for not caring about players' health.

Plain and simple, the NFL doesn't care about the health and safety of players. If they did, they would make sure that we have the best field conditions when are making BILLIONS for them. #SaferFields https://t.co/rqiwORQnQY
— Allen Lazard (@AllenLazard) November 12, 2022

Nfl says they care about player safety yet they can't put us on a natural surface #saferfields
— Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) November 12, 2022

This week on the New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he "hates" playing on turf.

"I count every single game preseason how many games I have on turf, just so I can mentally prepare," Kelce said. "I'd rather practice in sleet, snow, thunderstorm with a chance of getting struck by lightning than run inside on the turf."

"I'd rather practice in sleet, snow, thunderstorm with a chance of getting struck by lightning than run inside on the turf" @tkelce and @JasonKelce are firmly against turf fields pic.twitter.com/DFOdpsFF6z
— New Heights (@newheightshow) November 9, 2022

More must-reads: