The world saw a pulsating 23-20 Super Bowl win by the Los Angeles Rams over the Cincinnati Bengals in a big game that saw two lead changes and one final drive with the winning touchdown.
But there was another thing noticeable from that game, especially from the members of the San Francisco 49ers who were glued to their screens between the hours of 3 p.m. PT to approximately 7:15 p.m.: The injury pileup.
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It began with the Rams’ Odell Beckham, who had to leave the game during the first half with this knee injury:
Odell Beckham Jr. goes down with a non-contact knee injury.
He was able to walk off on his own, and after a stint in the medical tent, he’s headed back to the Rams locker room 🙏🏽🙏🏽 #SuperBowl
Then came Matthew Stafford, who had to hobble off momentarily:
Matthew Stafford suffers nasty-looking ankle injury
Get More From This App : t.co/twk0BOPnpk
Finally, Joe Burrow left a brief scare inside SoFi Stadium:
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow sacked and sustains a valgus (knee bends in) injury to the right knee. NOT his surgically reconstructed knee. Video concerning for MCL sprain. Painful, but possible to play through.
Fortunately for the two quarterbacks, both were able to play through their contact injuries. Unfortunately for Beckham, he was unable to return.
And that’s where things got vocal by some 49er players who watched Beckham go down, with three words included in their statement: “Flip the turf.”
49er Players Want to Help ‘Flip the Turf’
All-Pro tight end George Kittle not only tweeted his reaction, but also posted a petition during the game.
“I’ve been saying, artificial turf feels like playing on cement. It’s time to play smarter, not harder! Help us #FlipTheTurf by signing the petition,” Kittle tweeted, with the petition link found here.
Kittle had a 49ers ally in defensive end Nick Bosa. The third-year defender, who in 2020 tore his ACL, was another one who was on board to passing along the petition.
“Every player is one play away from altering their career forever when playing on turf. I experienced the bad side of this (in New York versus the Jets in Week 2) and it could have been avoided. Help me #FlipTheTurf to real grass with @penningtonlawn,” Bosa tweeted out, which also included the change.org link.
Meanwhile, wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel had a more succinct, yet vocal, reaction to witnessing the injuries come about at the Super Bowl.
Turf should be banned @NFL
They weren’t the only 49er representatives who wanted to push for field change, though.
Legendary 49er Wants to See Change
Patrick Willis, who played in Super Bowl 47 with the 49ers and was a recent finalist for the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame, was another staunch critic of field turf.
“Those freaking turf fields! They should band all turf for real real!!!” Willis posted.
Willis even responded to a fan’s tweet that featured the web link Kittle posted.
@6ixletterword I’m wit it even though I do not play on it anymore!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Willis also reacted to one man who told him that the same surface took away both of his knees.
@bdreyer2555 Ouch man sorry to hear! Hope your recovery was 💯
Others Who are Behind the ‘Flip the Turf’ Movement
Kittle, Bosa, Samuel and Willis are part of a growing contingent of supporters for Pennington Lawn, the company that wants to change the surface of playing fields.
We saw some epic plays out there, but the bigger play is pressuring the NFL to #FlipTheTurf. Each petition signature gets us one step closer to making big change. Are you with us? Sign it here t.co/N8d576jjgh
Along with the 49er players who urged others to sign the petition, there are other former NFL players who are behind the “flip the turf” movement. One is Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, who grew up playing on real grass.
Growing up in CO, I fell in love with football & playing on real grass. It’s safer than artificial grass & better for my teammates and I – not to mention the environment. Join me and @penningtonlawn to #fliptheturf to real grass.Sign: t.co/BBHvQ544Rt #penningtonpartner
Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns cited his MCL sprain in his ankle as his reason he wants to see signatures.
90% of NFL Players prefer real grass, including me! In 2020 I sprained my MCL on artificial turf. #FlipTheTurf to real grass with @PenningtonLawn and sign the petition: t.co/Rj6Z8gzOFu #PenningtonPartner
Lastly, former NFL running back Reggie Bush — who played in one season with the 49ers in 2015 — blasted the playing surface that was used in the Super Bowl by calling it a “plastic field.”
I can definitely get behind this. So tired of seeing our players get injured on plastic field. Turf is dangerous and we have to fight to change that together. Help us #FlipTheTurf to grass with @PenningtonLawn by signing here 👉 t.co/M7f4lZ89Ti #penningtonpartner
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49ers Players Are Among Those Who Want to ‘Flip the Turf’