Kelly Stafford calls on NFL to eliminate artificial turf

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 22:38 · Archive

Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, has urged the NFL to remove artificial turf from stadiums to reduce head injuries.

Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, posted on Instagram calling for the NFL to eliminate artificial turf from stadiums. Her comments followed the publication of a study showing that 75 per cent of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a neurodegenerative brain disease.

Stafford acknowledged that removing turf would not eliminate injuries entirely, but argued it would be 'a step in the right direction'. She noted that while the physical nature of football means players will inevitably collide and hit the ground, 'we sure as hell can control what they land on'. A separate 2023 NFL study found that concussion incidence was approximately 22 per cent lower on grass compared to turf.

Stafford emphasised the league's financial incentive to protect its star players, asking: 'You want your stars to last in this league? The guys who bring in the viewers, fill the stadiums, sell the jerseys, and make this league billions? Then why aren't we doing EVERYTHING we can to protect them?'

How it is being reported

• Rams star Matthew Stafford's wife Kelly hits out at NFL over head injuries after bombshell new study leaves WAGs fearing the worstKelly, who has been married to the reigning MVP since 2015, called on the NFL to ban turf at stadiums around the league amid rising concerns over brain trauma injuries.Daily Mail Sport · 29 Oct, 22:17
• Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly blasts NFL over head injuries: ‘Not good enough!’Kelly Stafford did not hold back her thoughts on head injuries in the NFL.New York Post · 29 Oct, 14:59

In this story: Matthew Stafford · Kelly Stafford · Los Angeles Rams · NFL

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