After a successful season-opening victory over the Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets unfortunately found themselves unable to keep up their winning momentum in the weeks following. The team that had suffered three consecutive defeats managed to reclaim their lost momentum in week 5. They emerged victorious, securing a commanding 10-point lead over their formidable opponents, the Denver Broncos.
The Jets racked up their impressive winning streak by defeating the formidable Philadelphia Eagles in a stunning display of skill and determination. The entire city of New York may be on cloud nine after this historic victory, but the team’s veteran, Garrett Wilson, expressed frustration with something else. In a post-game interview, Gang Green’s wide receiver voiced his displeasure with the playing surface at MetLife Stadium, joining a chorus of players.
Garrett Wilson calls MetLife Stadium turf ‘garbage’
The players prefer natural grass over synthetic turf which is more injury-prone. Despite ongoing criticism, the MetLife stadium had new turf installed before this season, and players are still having a hard time adjusting to the new surface.
In the Jets’ six-point victory over the Eagles, Garrett twisted his leg on the playing surface and had to leave the game in the second quarter for X-rays in the locker room. Fortunately, he was able to return to play after some time, although he didn’t hold back in criticizing the new surface, referring to it as “garbage.”
“It’s garbage, man… You’re out there running, and all of a sudden your legs ain’t in the same place your head is at. You’re like, ‘Well, what’s the difference between [practice] and now,’ and you look down and you see the turf. Everyone’s got to play on it. Everyone’s trying to do what they can with it. I’m figuring it out. I’m trying to stay healthy. I’m going to leave that there.”
The receiver had to leave the match for a second time, and he was snapped coming out for the kneel-downs at the end of the game. The vet recorded eight catches for 90 yards, and following the match he ensured that he was “all right”.
Some of the season-ending injuries occurred in MetLife Stadium
The turf at MetLife Stadium has resulted in season-ending injuries for multiple players. The New York Jets’ new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, tore his Achilles on September 11, 2023, becoming the 14th player to suffer a season-ending Achilles or ACL injury at the stadium in the last three-plus seasons. He is also the 36th footballer to sustain a lower-extremity injury that necessitated their placement on the injured reserve list.
The Washington Commanders’ starting center, Tyler Larsen, dislocated his kneecap on December 4, 2022, during the game where his team tied with New York, 20-20. He had to be carted off the field due to the leg injury and was later spotted in the locker room, using crutches and wearing a substantial brace on his right leg. Larsen, a seasoned veteran, expressed his deep disappointment regarding the season-ending injury and took to social media to advocate for safer playing fields, using the simple hashtag “#SaferFields.”
In December 2020, the San Francisco 49ers defensive weapon Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL in Week 2’s 31-13 victory against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Bosa got his left cleat caught in the turf on his injury when he was trying to avoid a block by Gang Green’s tight end Chris Herndon, which ended his 2020 season.
What’s your take on the artificial turf? Tell us in the comments.
