Did you know there have  been over 379 ACL injuries in the NFL since 2013? That is why I feel that football fields for middle school, high school, and college should all be changed to grass instead of turf. Why you may ask Well, it’s safer, not as many chemicals, and you can’t tear your ACL as easily. It’s cheaper and you can change the grass if you want to.   

One reason I believe that we should change turf to grass is because it’s a lot safer and most injuries happen on turf. According to scientists, “most ankle and foot injuries happen on turf. Mainly ACL tears, sprained ankles, and injuries like that.” 

My next reason is the number of chemicals in turf. According to The Defector, “Some have been linked to cancer like benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some chemicals that are also toxic to the nervous system like lead. Also, some chemicals that interfere with reproduction like plasticizers and other hormone-disrupting chemicals.  This means that it is bad for the players because the chemicals can hurt them. 

My last reason is NFL players have long said that they prefer real grass instead of turf. Saying that it is safer and better to play on instead of turf. According to ESPN, “In an essay posted to the NFLPA website Wednesday, union president J.C. Tretter noted that the injury rate on grass surfaces was lower from 2012 to 2020. Although the rates were essentially the same in 2021, Tretter termed that outcome an ‘outlier.'” This means that most professional football players prefer grass.  But does not mean that High School, college, and middle school players could prefer the same even though it is safer 

This means that high school, college, and middle school should all play on.  Most foot and ankle injuries happen on turf. As soon as you dig your foot in the turf your foot can get stuck and then tear your ACL. Many NFL players have said they prefer to play on grass instead of turf.