The NFL’s first regular season matchup in South America between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles was supposed to be another showcase for the league and its international appeal.
Instead, social media was ablaze discussing the condition of the field as numerous players were slipping.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), LeBron James (@kingjames) chimed in with a simple tweet: “Man this field sucks!!!”
Man this field sucks!!! 🤦🏾♂️ GB vs PHI
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 7, 2024
Skip Bayless provided another notable comment about the field.
“Eagles victimized again by the slip and slide field,” the former ESPN and Fox personality posted.
Eagles victimized again by the slip and slide field.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 7, 2024
Former NFL center Ryan Jensen also chimed in, calling it “ridiculous.”
I see the NFL still hasn't figured out how to get a field ready for a game overseas. Ridiculous
— Ryan Jensen (@sinjen66) September 7, 2024
Legendary defensive end J.J. Watt also made his opinion known, saying it has to do with NFL players having different body types than soccer players.
Soccer fields are made for speed and agility. Smaller bodies gliding across the surface with minimal contact.
They are not properly conditioned to have the size & strength of NFL players cutting, pushing and driving all game on them.
This is common at international games. https://t.co/6NmjrwFty2
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 7, 2024
Longtime Philadelphia sports talk show host Howard Eskin responded to Watt’s tweet with an explanation of the field conditions.
Per Eskin, the field’s turf was agreed to by both the Eagles and Packers ahead of time.
Just to be accurate JJ, its new turf which was agreed to by Eagles and Packers heads of grounds crew. It’s the same grass as in Philadelphia and Green Bay. The slipping is caused by the high humidify and mist in the air. Making grass wet. That’s real reason for slipping. https://t.co/QaNkgo4YwI
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) September 7, 2024