New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson revealed he’d donate to a players fund for grass fields after the New York Jets lost Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending torn Achilles during Monday’s game held at MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets.
“If I don’t get to see it across the league at least I’ll get to see those in the future to come after me and play on an all-grass field,” Jackson explained about his mindset during a Tuesday appearance on the WFAN “Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata Show,” per John Healy of Audacy. “I like it that way. Grew up playing Pop Warner, high school, college – you didn’t play on many grass fields. It feels like football when you’re on a grass field.”
Players around the NFL repeatedly complained about the playing surface previously found at MetLife Stadium that had been blamed for multiple injuries. Jackson is no stranger to such setbacks, as he suffered a sprained MCL during a home game against the Detroit Lions last November.
The new FieldTurf Core system at MetLife Stadium received positive reviews this summer from noteworthy individuals such as Rodgers and Giants running back Matt Breida. Breida said at the time that the exact turf at MetLife “helps against injuries,” while Rodgers added that the venue has “one of the best surfaces I’ve seen that’s artificial.”
Outlets such as Pro Football Talk routinely mention NFL owners haven’t yet switched from turf to grass fields across the league for financial reasons. Jackson argued those owners should want to protect players from going down with injuries similar to the one that cost a future Hall of Famer at least the rest of this season after he played just four snaps.
“…I feel like a lot of money is being made in this league, a lot of money going around,” Jackson remarked. “I feel at least we should be able to take care of the field. Pay the extra million, whatever it may be…at least take care of the field. The players represent you on it as well.”
Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb said after Monday’s win that “the NFL is more worried about making money” and puts “profit over people” as it pertains to playing surfaces. MetLife’s turf isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so Cobb and his teammates will have to tolerate the surface through the remainder of a season that changed dramatically for the Jets on Monday night.