As the biggest draw in the NFL, nobody was surprised when it was announced that AT&T Stadium would host nine FIFA World Cup matches this summer.
The Dallas Cowboys' home arena hosted its first match on Sunday, and the tournament has led to a larger conversation about playing surfaces. AT&T Stadium is one of several NFL venues that have installed natural grass, as mandated for every match.
It will switch back to artificial turf once football returns, even though there's a groundswell of calls from players to make a permanent change to grass, and the Cowboys are no different.
Safety Julius Wood caught up with Ryan Myers of the Dallas Morning News and did not mince words about which surface he prefers.
“Football is supposed to be played on grass,” Wood said. “I would be a candidate in saying that we should utilize grass fields instead of turf. Guys be grunting if we play indoors because of the turf. Versus outside, everybody is just ready to play.”
Dallas Cowboys players clearly prefer grass over artificial turf
Woods is a second-year player hoping to make the 53-man roster, but regardless of his standing on the team, his quote should be enough for Jerry Jones to consider ditching the turf.
Cowboys running back Javonte Williams gave a more political answer, but he reinforced Wood's point that players prefer grass fields.
“Some people like turf, some people don't, at the end of the day, I just got a job to do, I don't care if it's on concrete,” Williams said. “Guys definitely prefer grass fields, but I mean, you gotta play on what you play on.”
If the opinion is so one-sided, why do teams like the Cowboys insist on sticking with turf?
Grass provides more give when players plant and cut, reducing the risk of injuries. As the firmer surface, turf can create more traction. When a player plants and cuts, the foot may stop while the rest of the body keeps progressing, putting serious stress on joints and ligaments.
Grass is significantly more forgiving. In a sport with a 100 percent injury rate, why not play on the surface that gives players the best chance to avoid injury? It's common sense. Unfortunately, though, it's not as black and white as player safety.
If Jerry Jones is serious about maintaining the positive momentum around the franchise, switching AT&T Stadium to natural grass should be firmly on the table.
Is turf the reason Dallas' Super Bowl drought has reached 30 years? Of course not, but if Jones is committed to giving his roster every possible advantage in a league where injuries can derail a season in a nanosecond, doing away with turf is an easy move to justify.
Sadly, players like Wood are just shouting into the void. Changes are not coming, at least not anytime soon.
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