There's been more and more criticism, especially from the NFL, about using synthetic turf versus grass fields. The players say more catastrophic injuries happen on turf.
A couple weeks ago, Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes was vocal saying grass is healthier for players.
Dr. Eric Gifford is a sports medicine physician in Springfield, Missouri.
"It's a big debate. The original turfs, they could show data that they were more inclined to have major injuries. They were harder. They didn't have much give. The cleats would stick. You'd end up with more lower extremity injuries."
But he says third and fourth generation turf has a lot of backfill, rubber and are softer.
"I think they do a much better job of replicating a good grass field," said Gifford.
Gifford says first generation turf was more like carpet, leading to foot, ankle and knee because it didn't have any give.
What's the long term prognosis for kids who start out playing on turf when they're like 8 or 9 through high school?
Gifford says "Honestly, I don't see really any major difference in injuries from kids that are playing on a turf field and kids that are playing on a grass field."
