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Rodgers Criticizes Buccaneers' Field for Player Safety
· Confirmed
In Short: "It's got to be one of the worst playing surfaces in the league," Rodgers said, emphasizing his worries about player safety.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed serious concerns about the playing surface at Raymond James Stadium following a 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It's got to be one of the worst playing surfaces in the league," Rodgers said, emphasizing his worries about player safety.
Rodgers injured his right shoulder during the game but did not miss any time due to the injury.
In 2022, Rodgers had already called for an immediate ban on specific slit-film turf surfaces, indicating a pattern of concern.
During the 2014 season, Rodgers also suffered a calf injury on the same field, further fueling his criticism.
"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 said.
"Whoever was maintaining the field, bravo," Rodgers sarcastically noted, highlighting the poor condition of the field.
"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 added.
Rodgers' comments echo those made by NFLPA president JC Tretter, who has been advocating for better playing surfaces since 2020.
The field at Raymond James Stadium is shared with the University of South Florida, which may contribute to its wear and tear.
"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," a Pro Football Network report noted.
Despite the concerns, Rodgers was still able to perform well, throwing for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
What this adds
Rodgers' comments highlight ongoing concerns about player safety and the quality of playing surfaces in the NFL.
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."
- 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.
- Rodgers, though, believes Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay deserves to be part of that conversation.
- After the game, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers spoke about the win and raised concerns about the playing surface in Tampa Bay.
- “I just felt like it got real beat up,” Rodgers said of the field.
- — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ripped the playing surface at Raymond James Stadium after Sunday’s 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- “Whoever was maintaining the field, bravo,” Rodgers said after the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
- #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.
- Rodgers is impressed with the new surface at Acrisure Stadium.
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.
- 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.
- He finished with 253 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 interception, adding a great performance to his long career.
- This year, the Steelers installed a new type of grass from a new suppler, going with a special blend called Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass from Precision Turf in — ironically — Atlanta, instead of Kentucky Bluegrass, hoping that it will hold up to the extreme wear and tear put on the stadium by it being shared by the Steelers and the Pitt Panthers.