Do Any NFL Teams Still Play on Grass?

In the NFL, most teams play on artificial turf, with a few teams opting for grass. Do any NFL teams still play on grass?

The History of Grass in the NFL

Many NFL teams have switched to artificial turf in recent years, but there are still a few teams that play on natural grass. The New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks are among the teams that still prefer grass. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of grass in the NFL.

The early days of the NFL

In the early days of the NFL, all teams played on grass fields. This was the norm for many years, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that artificial turf began to appear in stadiums. The first team to install artificial turf was the New Orleans Saints, who did so in 1971. Many other teams quickly followed suit, and by the end of the decade, most NFL stadiums had switched to artificial turf.

There are a few reasons why teams switched to artificial turf. For one, it was much easier to maintain than grass. Grass fields required a lot of care and upkeep, and they often became muddy and torn up during games. Artificial turf didn’t have these problems, and it could be played on in any weather conditions.

Another reason why teams switched to artificial turf was that it allowed for a faster game. Grass fields tended to slow down players, but artificial turf allowed them to run at full speed. This made for a more exciting product on the field, which was good for both fans and TV viewers.

Today, there are only two NFL teams that still play on grass fields: the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Both of these teams have historic stadiums (Lambeau Field and Lincoln Financial Field) that were built before artificial turf became popular. In recent years, there has been talk about switching these stadiums to artificial turf, but so far neither team has made the switch. It’s possible that they never will, as both teams have a strong connection to their grass fields.

The rise of artificial turf

In the early 1960s, the Houston Oilers were the first professional team to install artificial turf at their stadium, and by 1970, all but one team in the NFL had installed some form of artificial turf.

Most of these early surfaces were made of Astroturf, a type of synthetic grass that was invented in 1966. Astroturf was designed to look and feel like natural grass, but it had a number of drawbacks. It was extremely hot and hard to play on, and it often caused injuries.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several firms began developing new types of artificial turf that addressed some of these problems. These new surfaces were made of synthetic materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which were much more comfortable to play on. They also drains better than Astroturf, making them less prone to flooding.

By the mid-1980s, most teams in the NFL had switched to one of these newer artificial turf surfaces. Today, all but a handful of teams play their home games on artificial turf.

The Present Day

The National Football League (NFL) has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1892. In the present day, the NFL is the highest level of professional football in the United States, with 32 teams competing in a 17-week regular season. But of those 32 teams, how many still play their home games on natural grass?

A few teams still play on grass

While most NFL teams have moved away from grass in favor of artificial turf, there are still a few teams that play on natural grass. Grass fields can be more difficult to maintain than artificial turf, and they may not be able to withstand as much wear and tear. However, some players prefer the feel of playing on natural grass.

The following NFL teams currently play their home games on grass:
-Buffalo Bills
-Cincinnati Bengals
-Dallas Cowboys
-Green Bay Packers
-Indianapolis Colts
-Jacksonville Jaguars
-Minnesota Vikings
-New England Patriots
-New Orleans Saints
-New York Giants
-New York Jets
-Philadelphia Eagles
-Pittsburgh Steelers
-San Francisco 49ers
-Seattle Seahawks

Certain stadiums, such as Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, have installed special lighting and heating systems to help keep the grass in good condition during cold weather games.

The benefits of artificial turf

The main benefits of artificial turf are that it doesn’t need to be mowed, it can be used in all weather conditions and it wears well. It also eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides, and it’s easier to clean than natural grass.

Artificial turf was first used in the 1960s, and today there are many different types available. The two main types are nylon and polyethylene. Nylon turf is made from synthetic fibers that look like real grass, while polyethylene turf is made from recycled plastic bottles.

In the early days of artificial turf, there were some health concerns about the materials used to make it. However, these concerns have largely been debunked, and today artificial turf is considered safe for both players and spectators.

While artificial turf has many advantages, there are some drawbacks as well. It can be hot to the touch on sunny days, and it doesn’t have the same cushioned feel as natural grass. It also can’t filter pollution from the air as effectively as natural grass.

The Future of Grass in the NFL

In 2007, the Seattle Seahawks became the last NFL team to install a FieldTurf playing surface at their home stadium. Since then, every single NFL team has followed suit and installed FieldTurf or a similar artificial playing surface. But is this trend here to stay?

The possibility of a return to grass

It’s been over a decade since the last NFL stadium made the switch from grass to artificial turf, and it’s safe to say that the league is now firmly entrenched in the synthetic surface era. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a place for grass in the NFL. In fact, there have been rumblings in recent years that a few teams are considering making the switch back to natural turf.

The most notable case is probably the New England Patriots, who installed a state-of-the-art grass field at Gillette Stadium in 2006. The field was installed at a cost of $1.4 million, and it was widely seen as a commitment by the team to stay on grass for the long term. However, by 2010, the Patriots had decided to make the switch to artificial turf, citing concerns about the wear and tear on the grass during New England’s notoriously harsh winters.

So, while it seems unlikely that any NFL teams will be making a full-fledged switch back to grass anytime soon, there’s always a possibility that we could see a few teams experimenting with natural turf in the future.

The benefits of artificial turf

Artificial turf has a number of benefits over natural grass, especially when it comes to professional football. It is more durable, meaning it can stand up to the heavy use of NFL games without getting worn down. It also drainage better, so weather conditions are less of a factor. And, since it is structurally the same every time, there is less chance for player injuries from uneven playing surfaces.

Despite these advantages, there are still several NFL teams who prefer to play on natural grass at their home stadiums. This is primarily for tradition and aesthetics – many fans prefer the look of grass and some believe that it gives players a better grip. There are also environmental concerns with artificial turf, as it is made from petroleum-based products and can release harmful chemicals into the air and ground.