Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, has publicly called for the NFL to remove artificial turf fields, citing concerns over player safety and head injuries. In posts shared to her Instagram story, Stafford argued that eliminating turf would be a significant step toward protecting players.
"GET RID OF TURF. PLEASE," Stafford wrote. "Will it fix everything? No. Will it eliminate injuries? Absolutely not. But my goodness, wouldn’t it be a step in the right direction?"
She emphasized the importance of player well-being for the league's stars, who generate billions in revenue. "You want your ‘stars’ to last in this league? The guys who bring in the viewers, fill the stadiums, sell the jerseys, and make this league billions? Then why aren’t we doing EVERYTHING we can to protect them?"
Stafford specifically highlighted concerns about head injuries, noting the known risks associated with playing on turf surfaces, including injuries to knees, ankles, and ligaments. Her comments come amid ongoing discussions about the link between playing surfaces and player health, particularly regarding concussions and the long-term effects of head trauma, such as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy).
A study published in August indicated that at least one in four NFL players who died over a five-year span had CTE. Stafford acknowledged the inherent physicality of football but stressed that player safety measures, including playing surfaces, are within the league's control.
"Listen, I know what sport my husband plays. I know what these men signed up for. Football is physical. It’s violent. Heads are going to collide. Bodies are going to hit the ground. That part of the game isn’t going away… But here’s the thing… We can’t always control what these players hit. But we sure as hell can control what they land on," she stated.
Stafford referenced a 2023 NFL study that estimated concussion incidence was approximately 22% lower on grass compared to turf, though she noted that other studies have not reached the same conclusive findings regarding head injury prevention.
"And I love this game. Our family loves this game. That’s exactly WHY I want it to be better," Stafford added. She urged the league to set a higher standard for player safety, influencing not only professional players but also collegiate, high school, and youth leagues.
"You have the money. You have the resources. You have the ability to lead the way. No, grass isn’t going to solve every problem. But doing nothing because we can’t fix everything? That’s not good enough. @nfl," she concluded.
Matthew Stafford has experienced multiple stints in concussion protocol during his 18-season NFL career, underscoring his wife's concerns about player health and safety.