Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is adding his voice to a growing movement calling on the NFL to replace artificial turf with natural grass.
As FIFA wrapped up the 2026 World Cup, several NFL stadiums that normally use artificial turf temporarily installed natural grass to meet tournament standards. That decision caught the attention of NFL players, who have long argued that grass is safer for their bodies.
LaPorta joined the conversation Friday by sharing an Instagram story featuring a photo of SoFi Stadium’s natural grass surface with a simple but pointed message:
“WHY CAN’T WE HAVE THIS TOO”
Sam LaPorta natural grass fields
NFLPA Continues #WorthTheCost Campaign
LaPorta’s post aligns with the NFL Players Association’s ongoing #WorthTheCost campaign, which has pushed the league to make natural grass the standard playing surface.
According to the NFLPA, 92 percent of NFL players prefer playing on natural grass over artificial turf.
Seven NFL stadiums that normally feature turf installed grass for World Cup matches, including SoFi Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AT&T Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium, NRG Stadium, and Lumen Field.
The temporary conversions have fueled players’ arguments that permanent grass fields are both feasible and worth the investment.
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San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle recently echoed that sentiment through the NFLPA, saying players have made it clear they believe grass is better for their bodies and that the World Cup demonstrated it can be done.
As one of Detroit’s young stars, LaPorta’s support adds another prominent voice to a debate that is unlikely to disappear anytime soon, especially as more players continue urging the league to prioritize player safety over the cost of replacing artificial turf.
Drafted with AI assistance, edited and fact-checked by DSN staff.