Roger Goodell has been accused of many things during his reign as NFL commissioner.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari added a new accusation to the list Thursday.
The five-time All-Pro, a good friend and longtime teammate of Aaron Rodgers, has been vocal this week in demanding the NFL change to grass fields in all stadiums, following Rodgers’ stunning Achilles injury on Monday Night Football.
Goodell addressed the issue Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith, saying the league must move deliberately on the field issue “because there are players who like playing on the turf field because it’s faster. … You got mixed opinions.”
That was too much for Bakhtiari.
“What kind of toad poison is the commish smoking?!?” he wrote on a Sports Illustrated Instagram post about Goodell’s comments.
While artificial turf surfaces are faster, studies have shown they result in more player injuries. The NFL Players Association renewed its call this week for all NFL stadiums to move to grass surfaces. Roughly half of the league’s stadium’s use artificial turf.
“Moving all stadium fields to high quality natural grass surfaces is the easiest decision the NFL can make,” NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell said (via Pro Football Talk).
“The players overwhelmingly prefer it and the data is clear that grass is simply safer than artificial turf. It is an issue that has been near the top of the players’ list during my team visits and one I have raised with the NFL.”
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.