San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has a new mission: convincing the NFL to ditch synthetic turf and go green — literally. After watching the United States take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kittle couldn't stop raving about the playing surface. And he's not keeping it to himself.
“USA USA USA,” Kittle posted on social media. “Also this grass looks great on Sofi’s field… wonder if we could get that all season.”
The request comes as no surprise to those who follow the league closely. Kittle, who tore his Achilles in January, knows firsthand the toll artificial turf can take on a player's body. And he's far from alone in wanting change.
NFL Players Rally for Natural Grass
New York Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor didn't mince words when discussing the temporary switch at MetLife Stadium, which usually features synthetic turf. “I’m going into year 10, and I can say wholeheartedly that grass feels way better than turf,” Eluemunor told NBC News. “With MetLife getting grass, obviously it’s cool for FIFA and the World Cup. It’s one of the biggest stages in the world but, at the same time, the NFL as a whole is one of the most profitable businesses in the world, and so you would think that us as players would have a say in the fields that we get to play on.”
Seven of the U.S. stadiums hosting World Cup matches usually have artificial turf, but FIFA mandated natural grass for its top stars. That decision has reignited a long-simmering debate in the NFL, where players have pushed for similar treatment. The push has even drawn attention from Trump's confirmed plans to attend the World Cup final, adding to the spotlight on these venues.
The NFL's Stance: Science Over Sentiment
Despite the growing chorus of player voices, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn't ready to make the switch. “You have other players who like playing on the turf field because it’s faster,” Goodell said. “So you’ve got mixed opinions. What we want to go on is science, we want to go on what’s the best from an injury standpoint.”
The league has repeatedly stated that artificial turf hasn't led to an uptick in injuries, and until the data contradicts that claim, they won't be forced to change. But players like Kittle and Eluemunor argue that the data doesn't capture the wear and tear on joints and muscles over a long season.
Could the World Cup Spark a Shift?
The sight of lush grass at SoFi and MetLife for the World Cup has given players a powerful visual argument. If the world's best soccer players can get natural grass, why can't NFL stars? The question is gaining traction, especially as a math whiz who nailed three straight World Cup winners has also weighed in on the tournament's impact. For now, the NFL remains unmoved, but Kittle's plea — and the backing of his peers — suggests this debate isn't going away.
As the 2026 regular season approaches, the pressure is on. Whether the league listens to its players or sticks with the status quo could define the future of NFL playing surfaces. For Kittle, the answer is clear: give us grass, and give it to us all year long.
