After an incredible month-plus of soccer, the FIFA World Cup concluded at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres winning the final for Spain over Argentina after extra time. All kinds of stars were out in force, including NFL stars. One such NFL star present at this historic occasion was George Kittle. He used his X account to make a pointed plea to the NFL and, likely, to the ownership of the New York Giants and Jets.
George Kittle with Plea to the NFL over Unpopular MetLife Turf During World Cup Final
San Francisco 49ers star tight end Kittle took to social media, sharing images of the newly installed grass for the World Cup, complimenting how great it looked. “Grass looks great at MetLife! Can we keep it that way NFL ?? Would appreciate it, thanks.”
Not content with just one tweet on the subject, Kittle continued his plea to the powers that be, sharing a selfie after the game had ended, complimenting the pristine condition of the field: “Grass still looks great! Let’s use grass instead of turf @NFL !! Please? Thanks guys!” Kittle is not alone in the plea.
Grass still looks great! Let’s use grass instead of turf @NFL !! Please? Thanks guys! pic.twitter.com/1iS8Jf2zPX
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) July 19, 2026
For instance, this plea for grass concerns the heavily criticized turf used by the Giants and Jets, which many players around the league feel is unsafe. Furthermore, according to ESPN, at least 15 players have suffered knee ligament or Achilles tears at MetLife since 2020.
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Many of them are huge stars, including Aaron Rodgers, Nick Bosa, and Malik Nabers. Others, like Odell Beckham Jr., who fractured his ankle there in 2017, have also publicly criticized the surface.
However, in fairness to those in charge at MetLife, they upgraded their turf in 2023 to improve the safety of the playing surface.
It is highly unlikely that the NFL will listen to Kittle’s pleas, as MetLife is set to return to turf for the start of the upcoming NFL season, which is bound to be unpopular with the majority of NFL players who would prefer a grass surface.
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Kittle wasn’t the only NFL star pleading for a grass playing surface, closer to home. Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, also in attendance at the game, shared a photo of the grass with an unsubtle caption along with an eyeball emoji: “Damn, this Grass is beautiful; they should keep it.”
Damn this Grass is beautiful, they should keep it 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y6VuJSwMMb
— Jermaine Eluemunor (@JEluemunor) July 19, 2026
It’s certainly impactful when a Giants player with weekly knowledge of that field feels that grass must replace the current turf. Will John Mara and the NFL listen? We will wait and see, but it won’t be imminent.
Nevertheless, these NFL stars feel it’s clear that a change needs to be made. Today’s surface unquestionably looked better and more befitting a major stadium in New York/New Jersey for two prominent NFL teams.
