Fans were ripping MetLife Stadium’s controversial turf surface during Sunday’s Giants/Jets clash, as multiple players went down with injuries, leading to Gang Green calling on its fourth-string center.
Tiki was up in the CBS broadcast booth for the game, and he was not happy seeing so many players go down. He was frustrated enough to bring it up during Monday’s show, calling for Giants and Jets ownership to go back to grass.
“If the NFL, the Giants and the Jets as well, don’t start screaming about this turf, then they don’t give a damn about player safety,” Tiki said. “This conversation about the turf has been going on for at least three years…they changed it this offseason, I guess, but it’s still horrendous.
“One of the biggest talking points in the NFL is that player safety matters. When we hear that, we think head trauma, but something else is happening in the NFL. It’s not all on turf, but a lot of it is: big-time star players are starting to get hurt. Aaron Rodgers got hurt, Achilles. Kirk Cousins got hurt, Achilles…starting-quality, star players are getting hurt in the NFL because of Astroturf.”
Players have criticized the turf for years, and changing the type of turf this past offseason doesn’t seem to have changed that sentiment. It certainly hasn’t changed Tiki’s, and he says enough is enough.
“Whatever the cost is [to change it], isn’t that worth the maybe $500 million of salary on your team?” Tiki said. “You are putting that investment in each player at risk every time they play on this terrible surface.
“Every single week, I feel like someone is getting hurt on this turf. If the Giants and the Jets are serious about player safety, and the NFL, they have to change that turf to grass. I don’t care how much it costs. It’s worth it in the lost players’ salaries. You’re paying guys to be on IR.”