The FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosted by USA successfully managed to get the attention of the Americans to the soccer despite it not being one of the major sports in the country. Along with the general citizens, American stars and celebrities all celebrated this global event including San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.
George was captured by himself in a selfie when he was enjoying the massive Spain vs Argentina World Cup final in the MetLife stadium. But he didn’t just enjoy the game, he came up with a suggestion that he thinks the NFL should consider taking it from FIFA.
George Kittle Suggests NFL Should Go For The Grass
George Kittle is one of the most dynamic and popular tight ends in the NFL. Kittle quickly rose from a late-round pick to become one of the league’s premier players at his position. He played a major role in the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LIV and remains a cornerstone of the team’s offense alongside stars like Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle before action against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
On July 19, 2026, George Kittle attended the most anticipated FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain and seized the opportunity to renew his long-standing call for the NFL to prioritize natural grass fields over artificial turf. At MetLife Stadium, Kittle posted a photo from the stands showing a pristine, lush green grass field. “Grass still looks great! Let’s use grass instead of turf @NFL !! Please? Thanks guys!” the caption read.
Kittle and many NFL players argue that natural grass is significantly gentler on the body. Turf is associated with higher rates of non-contact injuries due to its harder surface and increased traction. Data from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) reportedly shows that around 92% of players prefer grass.
Kittle’s advocacy isn’t new. He and other veterans have voiced these concerns for years but the World Cup provided a perfect, visible example that grass can work at the highest level, even in shared NFL venues.
George Kittle’s Continued Advocacy For Grass
George Kittle has been one of the most vocal NFL players advocating for natural grass over artificial turf for several years, long before the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought renewed attention to the issue. His stance is rooted in player safety, personal experience with injuries, and frustration with league priorities.
Kittle’s criticism of turf dates back to at least 2022. That year, he publicly linked playing on artificial surfaces to his own knee issues, highlighting how the harder, less forgiving surface contributes to lower-extremity injuries. He has repeatedly argued that grass is demonstrably better for players’ bodies, reducing the risk of non-contact injuries such as ACL tears, ankle sprains, and Achilles issues.
“If you can put grass in MetLife and in SoFi, I think you could do that year-round if you really gave a s–t,” Kittle said on the Pardon My Take podcast. “I mean, that’s my opinion. I think, if you polled every single player, I would say probably 90% would [say] they would prefer a grass field. And I’d say 10% would say they don’t care.” He added.
Kittle has worked alongside the NFL Players Association to amplify these concerns. The NFLPA has shared data showing significantly higher injury rates on turf, particularly for lower-body non-contact injuries. Kittle’s voice adds star power and credibility to these efforts.
Kittle’s previous advocacy set the stage for his high-visibility 2026 World Cup comments, where he used the temporary grass installations at NFL venues as clear evidence that change is possible when the league chooses to make it happen.
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