[ad_1]
The NFL’s current price of non-contact accidents to the knee, ankle and foot is roughly the identical on pure and synthetic taking part in surfaces, in line with inner information reviewed Tuesday by ESPN.
The numbers contradict anecdotal observations this season from a large swath of gamers, brokers and coaches who’ve referred to as for the league to transform all surfaces to grass in response to a sequence of high-profile accidents on synthetic turf. However the NFL has no plans to take action, Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones stated Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan, citing the present information.
“In no way,” stated Jones, whose workforce performs in one in all 16 NFL stadiums with a man-made taking part in floor. “And it isn’t as a result of we’ve the floor that we’ve. Our league stats do not see points with the sort floor that we’ve versus pure grass. We do not see points. No information bear that out.”
The NFL and NFLPA use a third-party firm generally known as IQVIA to compile and analyze information on each harm suffered throughout each season. Their joint Surfaces Committee makes use of the information to check accidents in every of the 30 stadiums the league performs in, paying explicit consideration to accidents that happen with out contact and will probably be attributed to the floor itself.
These accidents are categorised as non-contact and to the decrease extremities: knees, ankles and toes. ESPN obtained a chart that plotted these accidents over the previous 4 seasons.
Information compiled for the NFL and NFLPA exhibits that harm charges on non-contact accidents to decrease extremities are statistically the identical on synthetic turf vs. pure surfaces. Vital context within the ongoing debate. pic.twitter.com/DAsPWBEdqC
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 9, 2022
As not too long ago as 2019, the speed of such accidents have been notably increased on synthetic turf fields fairly than grass. However the distinction between the 2 started narrowing in 2020, and by 2021, the numbers have been nearly the identical. Synthetic surfaces had an incident price of .042 per 100 in 2021, whereas the incident price for pure surfaces was .041 per 100.
That ratio “replicated” throughout the 2022 preseason, in line with Jeff Miller, the NFL’s govt vice chairman of communications, public affairs and coverage. Full information for the 2022 can be compiled on the finish of the season.
“The takeaway from all of this information is that the dialogue between artificial surfaces and pure grass surfaces is not actually the argument,” Miller stated. “What we’re making an attempt to do is lower accidents on each. As a normal matter, artificial versus pure would not actually present us the knowledge we have to attempt to drive these harm charges down.”
It’s not solely clear why the speed distinction narrowed, though a part of the reason being that accidents on grass elevated from 2018 to 2021. Miller famous there may be “extra dynamism” within the synthetic turf market, and that stadiums are ordering replacements on common of each two or three years. He additionally stated the NFL and NFLPA are working with area managers to optimize take care of the turf.
The NFL/NFLPA Floor Committee introduced its findings to homeowners throughout final month’s assembly in New York, however the particulars had not beforehand been publicized. Within the interim, gamers and coaches have been talking out about accidents on synthetic turf.
Most not too long ago, after the Inexperienced Bay Packers misplaced go rusher Rashan Gary to a non-contact ACL harm at Detroit’s Ford Area, Packers linebacker DeVondre Campbell tweeted: “I feel it is time y’all take a few of the cash y’all make off us and spend money on grass fields for each workforce across the league. The turf is actually like concrete it has no give while you plant.”
Beforehand, Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp stated the distinction between the 2 surfaces is “not even shut.”
After Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf and Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson each left a sport at SoFi Los Angeles’ Stadium with non-contact knee accidents, Kupp added: “I do know there’s stuff going across the league proper now, there’s some points. Fingers down, we must be taking part in on grass. Fingers down, we must be on grass. And that is all I will say.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll stated the problem is one thing “we positively want to have a look at this actually significantly within the offseason once more.”
“It has been a dialogue earlier than,” Carroll stated. “We have to do what’s proper, and we have got to do what’s most secure for the gamers, and we have got to make these decisions. I might pound on the drum for that.”
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link