Turf condition is normally an issue relegated to the high school ranks and even that's a stretch nowadays with many schools choosing artificial astroturf over natural grass, but turf problems in the NFL? That should be unthinkable.
Videos by FanBuzz
Unfortunately, that's not the case after Thursday's Thanksgiving evening game between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants at FedEx Field. The turf was notably brown during the game, and it looked even worse from the sky:
FedEx Field has a big brown skid mark. pic.twitter.com/HzB1H6EYYn
— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) November 24, 2017
That looks more like a sandlot field than a professional NFL football field, and it was apparently bad enough that the NFL Player Association is going to look into the conditions on the field, according to The Washington Post:
"But the NFL Players Association "will take a look at the matter," according to a source familiar with the situation.
"That turf has been an issue off and on for some time," the person said, speaking on a condition of anonymity because no formal inquiry by the league or union had been announced."
For what it's worth, the Redskins as an organization are backing up their field, at least according to spokesman Tony Wyllie:
"Our field was in good condition last night, although a recent freeze made the Bermuda grass turn brown between the numbers," said Wyllie, Redskins senior vice president of communications, explaining the team would offer no further details.
With that said, quarterback Kirk Cousins was less forgiving of the field conditions. Perhaps that's because his foot appeared to get snagged on the turf in the moments before his lone interception of the game. Speaking after the contest, the quarterback was far from forgiving:
Kirk Cousins says the FedEx Field turf "probably doesn't look like a professional NFL field should, first of all." Says it "can be the difference between a win and a loss when a guy slips" on the field and can't make a play.
— Chris Lingebach (@ChrisLingebach) November 24, 2017
One would think that a professional organization like the Washington Redskins would have the ability to get its field pristine, even in tough weather conditions, but that didn't appear to be the case on Thursday night.
Hearing it from Cousins, one would almost wonder if the field was borderline dangerous, so it's no surprise that the NFLPA will be on the case.
