George Kittle doesn’t mince words while calling out NFL for switching to grass pitch for FIFA World Cup

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle raised an issue with the NFL using natural grass pitch to host FIFA World Cup games. Kittle outlined the league not using grass pitches for several NFL venues.

According to reports, 14 of the 30 NFL stadiums use artificial turf during the season and the decision has been a topic of debate for years. Artificial turfs have been linked to increased injuries and Kittle brought up the issue this week.

In an X post shared by NFL insider Ari Meirov, Kittle said:

“We’ve made it clear that we prefer grass fields. We know it’s better on our bodies and clearly, we know it’s possible based on everything that went into putting down grass fields for the World Cup in each stadium.

“At this point, it comes down to the NFL making it a priority and choosing to invest in us as players because our bodies are out business, which they get to capitalize on!”

Apart from Kittle, several NFL players have raised the issue of artificial turf with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). According to reports, seven NFL stadiums have transformed their artificial surfaces to grass for the FIFA World Cup.

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Former Super Bowl champion backs players’ frustration over artificial surface

Former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth said he understands the frustration of NFL players with the league using a grass surface for the FIFA World Cup.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about it, only because we’ve voiced so much that we’d love to have it,” Whitworth said.

While Whitworth acknowledged the league using “harder surface” at venues, he outlined the difference of playing on grass.

“You play grass games, dude, I would bounce back in a second,” Whitworth said. “Even at 40, I’d play a grass game and be like, ‘Dude, I’m ready to go lift tomorrow. I feel great.’ But a turf game almost zaps you of all your energy and your bones and all that.

“So I think whenever we get into it, it’s not just about data. It’s about when these players are saying it’s that extra feeling of another three, four days of, man, I just feel terrible. I feel awful.”