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Aaron Rodgers calls for NFL to examine Buccaneers' field over player-safety concerns
Confirmed
In Short: It's got to be one of the worst playing surfaces in the league," Rodgers said, adding, "When we're talking about player safety, that's a real concern.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed strong dissatisfaction with the playing surface at Raymond James Stadium following the Pittsburgh Steelers' 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rodgers, who injured his right shoulder during the game, emphasized that he had been injured twice before on the same field, attributing the incidents partly to the condition of the turf.
"I'm thankful I didn't get hurt today, but I've been injured twice on this field before, and in my opinion, the turf was a factor both times," Rodgers explained.
The quarterback noted that the field had been visibly deteriorated by the third quarter, expressing sympathy for safety Miles Killebrew who had a carry that could have been affected by the field's condition.
"Whoever was maintaining the field, bravo," Rodgers said sarcastically after the Steelers' Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite the concerns, Rodgers did not miss any time due to the injury sustained during the game against the Buccaneers.
"By the time the third quarter rolled around, that thing was really beat up, so I feel bad about what happened to Miles (Killebrew). I’m not sure if you know there was any carry there. I know the field gets a lot of play," Rodgers said.
NFLPA president JC Tretter has been advocating for improved playing surfaces since 2020, highlighting the importance of player safety.
"I know USF plays here, but that surface just doesn't feel very safe. From my perspective, it's a field that needs to be looked at because player safety should always come first," Rodgers concluded.
The Steelers will now prepare for their next game, an international match against the New Orleans Saints in Paris.
Rodgers previously called for an immediate ban on specific slit-film turf surfaces in 2022.
The field at Raymond James Stadium is shared with a local college team and uses natural grass.
Background
OpenAI on Friday defended its decision to fire three AI safety researchers, stating they were dismissed for mishandling sensitive information, not for raising concerns about AI risks.
What's confirmed
- "It's got to be one of the worst playing surfaces in the league. When we're talking about player safety, that's a real concern," Rodgers said.
- "I'm thankful I didn't get hurt today, but I've been injured twice on this field before, and in my opinion, the turf was a factor both times. I know USF plays here, but that surface just doesn't feel very safe. From my perspective, it's a field that needs to be looked at because player safety should always come first."
What's still developing
- The injury did not lead to any missed time for Rodgers, who started in each of Green Bay's 16 games that season.
- Like in 2008, the injury did not sideline Rodgers, who won his second of four league MVPs that season.
- Last year, Rodgers called the Steelers' home field "borderline unplayable" following a win over the Browns in which kicker Chris Boswell lost his footing on an attempted field goal.
- Rodgers didn't hold back when asked about the playing surface during his postgame press conference.
- Some players always get injured at the same stadium, and it can feel like a curse on their careers, but if other players are complaining about a field, the league may need to look into a serious issue.
- Nonetheless, Rodgers was able to escape without an injury; he was a massive part in getting this win for Pittsburgh.
- #Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers calls out Raymond James Stadium for being “one of the worst surfaces in the league.” pic.twitter.com/Rc2eaJOGR3 Rodgers and Cam Heyward ripped the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium after the team’s Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns last year.
- Apparently, the Bucs have not fixed their field, however.