PHILADELPHIA – Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay took aim at MetLife Stadium, a day after the New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was lost for the season with a torn Achilles after just four plays during a 22-16 New York win over Buffalo.
“He’s on a new (team) and then it’s like, ‘Damn, MetLife,'” Slay said before an Eagles’ walkthrough practice on Tuesday. “Everybody knows about that goddamn stadium. They need to get real grass. That’s trash.”
Slay has played at the stadium seven times over his first 10 seasons and is scheduled to play there twice this season, against the Jets on Oct. 15 and at the Giants on Jan. 7 of next year.
The Eagles’ five-time Pro Bowl cover man is hardly alone with his assessment as MetLife continues to carry a terrible reputation with the players.
“That’s sad for anybody to go down. I don’t like nobody to go down because we play this dangerous game,” Slay said. “Everybody thinks we’re superheroes, but we’re really not. We’re really just normal human beings that go out there and just try to go hard at work …
“I’m praying for him and his family, and I hope he comes back stronger.”
The Giants actually have a new field surface this season: the FieldTurf Core system which is marketed as “the first multi-layer dual polymer monofilament system designed to deliver a lower incidence of injuries.” The Detroit Lions have installed the same surface at Ford Field.
MetLife Stadium will go to an actual grass surface when it hosts World Cup games in 2026 and the hope is the natural surface stays at the point.
“I’ve never been a fan of turf. I never will be a fan of turf,” Jets receiver Randall Cobb said. “It’s crazy that the MLS will change stuff for Messi. Premier League will do everything they can to protect players with grass fields. But the NFL’s more worried about making money.”
To be fair the MLS hasn’t changed things for Messi and Dr. Jessics Flynn, a frequent guest on BIRDS 365, noted that while she supports the players wanting natural playing surfaces “The Aaron Rodgers injury did not happen because of the turf at MetLife.”
I do not like artificial turf. Players prefer natural grass and I support them.
The Aaron Rodgers injury did not happen because of the turf at MetLife.#NFL #Jets #MedTwitter
— DocFlynn (@DocFlynnNFL) September 12, 2023
The MetLife reputation among the players isn’t going anywhere, however.
“It’s obvious to see – a lot of guys have season-ending injuries over there,” said Slay.
