Kittle challenges NFL owners to prioritise player welfare over maintenance costs

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has publicly urged National Football League owners to install natural grass playing surfaces, arguing that the financial capability exists to do so. Speaking on the 'Pardon My Take' podcast, Kittle cited the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where matches are being played on natural grass at NFL stadiums including MetLife and SoFi, as evidence that year-round grass is feasible.

Kittle estimated that 90% of players would prefer grass, with the remaining 10% indifferent. He suggested that the reluctance to switch is driven by a desire to avoid additional maintenance costs, noting that stadium operators often find artificial turf more durable for non-NFL events such as concerts. "If you can put grass in MetLife and in SoFi, I think you could do that year-round if you really gave a shit," Kittle said.

The debate over natural grass versus artificial turf in the NFL has been ongoing, with grass generally preferred by players for its durability and safety profile. MetLife Stadium, referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium by FIFA for the World Cup, has faced scrutiny regarding player injuries on its turf surface. In 2023, the stadium replaced its previous turf with a different type of surface, yet injuries have continued to occur.

High-profile incidents have intensified the discussion, including New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers suffering an ACL tear on the MetLife Stadium surface last year. Kittle questioned why football players do not receive the same treatment as footballers, suggesting that owners should spend the extra millions required to grass all fields.

The 49ers currently play on a grass surface at Levi’s Stadium. Kittle himself suffered an Achilles tear last season against the Seattle Seahawks but did not attribute it to the playing surface. As long as players continue to sustain injuries on specific surfaces, the issue remains a point of contention for the league.