A starter on last season’s Philadelphia Eagles defense doesn’t buy the NFL’s story about the slippery turf during February’s Super Bowl. Mike Florio with NBC Sports reported recently the league is privately blaming players for falling all over the grass in Glendale.
Both the Kansas City Chiefs and Eagles were affected by the field conditions. However, anyone watching the game understood the Eagles seemed bothered more than the Chiefs. The Eagles, who had the league’s best past rush in 2022, could not register one sack on Patrick Mahomes.
NFL News: Former Philadelphia Eagles S debates Super Bowl turf
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson gave his response to the report Monday. Gardner-Johnson is now with the Green Bay Packers rival, Detroit Lions, but he was a starter on the Eagles’ defense last season. He Tweeted a few of his issues with the NFL’s narrative his teammates on the Eagles were to blame.
Gardner-Johnson claimed to have tried out several pairs of cleats during the Eagles’ pre-game warmups.
Man pre game I went through 3 different cleats!! Even the studs wasn’t working 😒 explain that please https://t.co/HzHLtnRyot
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) July 3, 2023
If that’s the case we should’ve played on AZ original grass! we was fine the week we traveled there and won 🙃
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) July 3, 2023
Run that bowl back on legit grass , the Dline SMASH that Oline I’m sorry 🗣️🗣️🗣️
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) July 3, 2023
The NFL is trying to push a ridiculous narrative about the grass. The league was aware of previous problems with the turf at State Farm Stadium for other major NFL and college football games. They prepared for the Super Bowl by growing a turf field for approximately two years to avoid a slippage problem.
It didn’t work. The NFL needs to admit they have work to do in the turf science department. Blaming the players and the equipment staff for the falls we witnessed in February is embarrassing. Fans aren’t buying it.
@NFL 🤷♂️… That field was an absolute disgrace. You should own up to your mistakes. https://t.co/mfxQw0FWM5
— Jamie Constein (@JamieConstein) July 3, 2023
Did that cause the Eagles to lose? No. Understanding and reacting to field conditions are an important part of playing outdoor sports. The Chiefs adjusted better to the elements than the Eagles. But that doesn’t mean the NFL shouldn’t provide a decent surface.
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