Most fans will remember Super Bowl LVII for the epic back-and-forth clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs rallied in the second half to escape Arizona with a 38-35 win to earn head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ second championship together. The Eagles will remember the night for falling short in an amazing 2022 season.
And they fell short in a couple of ways.
Eagles and Chiefs players were seen slipping all over what appeared to be a slick turf.
The Eagles’ defensive line was especially affected. They came into the game boasting the best pass rush in the league. The Eagles recorded 70 sacks in the regular season.
The Eagles were unable to register one sack of Mahomes in the Super Bowl. However, the Chiefs were able to sack Jalen Hurts twice. One side was affected more than the other, and the NFL is blaming the stumblers.
Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles
The NFL blames the Philadelphia Eagles for Super Bowl slip up
According to Mike Florio with NBC Sports, the NFL considered the density of falls to be on the athletes. Florio isn’t buying the NFL’s answer due to the poor results of the torn-up turf and shoe swaps:
“The NFL has an unofficial excuse for the situation, one that has been communicated when owners ask about it. Per a league source, the league blames the players for not wearing the right shoes. (The Eagles changed their cleats — and it didn’t seem to matter.)
Setting aside the fact that there should have been no reason for the teams to anticipate needing different types and sizes of cleats for a game that supposedly will be played under pristine conditions, the manner in which the field was torn up during the game shows that, regardless of whether the teams were able to properly adjust, the field never, ever should have been in that condition.
Not for the most-watched game of the season. Not for any game, if the league truly cares about the health and safety of the players.”
The results of the grass during the Super Bowl were especially amazing, given the effort undertaken to have a clean game. The grass was grown for nearly two years before the event and looked incredible to reporters before the game.
Nfl Super Bowl Lvii Kansas City Chiefs Vs Philadelphia Eagles
The results are unfortunate for the NFL and its players. Aaron Rodgers said he prefers natural grass to a synthetic surface, like what the Green Bay Packers play on at Lambeau Field. Grass provides a better cushion to keep players’ bodies from being injured.
Slippery grass doesn’t make that case.
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