Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks
Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Colorado Football is transitioning from natural grass to artificial turf at Folsom Field. A new premium AstroTurf system is nearly installed, replacing the natural grass surface that has been in place since 1998. While it will be easier to maintain, one former Heisman winner is speaking out about the risks associated with playing on turf.
Advertisement
Reggie Bush was one of the most electric talents in college football's modern era. However, his NFL career was cut short in 2015 due to a freak injury on an unsafe surface in St. Louis. Bush recently said NFL Players are playing on unsafe surfaces every Sunday, and they need to fight back against it.
"One thing I think they need to get rid of that's still out there and is still an issue is field turf," Bush told GQ. "When we look at the studies and the correlation between field turf and ACLs, PCLs, meniscuses, just about all leg injuries, a lot of it is traced back to the surface that you play on. They're playing on one of the most dangerous surfaces. We don't see soccer being played on field turf! In Europe, they would never allow that. Right?
"For some reason here—especially the NFL, which is the most dangerous sport—you're playing on the most dangerous surface. The reason why it's dangerous is because athletes are now bigger, stronger, faster. It continues to evolve. When you're that strong and that fast, something's going to give. You plant your foot into that turf and what happens is turf will grab. Grass gives."
If Deion Sanders wants to model his program to be the most NFL-ready in the nation, it starts with being consistent with what's going on in the league. Three of the past four Super Bowl winners play on grass at their respective home stadiums.
Advertisement
Related: Where Shedeur Sanders Stands in Browns' QB Depth Chart Today
For Bush, the NFL's owners will always prioritize costs over safety. "Unfortunately, NFL owners still believe that turf is the cheapest, most cost-efficient way in a league that analyzes billions every year," Bush said. "It's unfortunate. It will continue until the players decide to stand up and say, 'Listen, we don't want to play on turf anymore.' The thing is, all players hate it."
Related: Deion Sanders Cancels Speaking Engagement as Rumors Swirl
With the House settlement now finalized and the College Sports Commission being established, the college football players need a union to represent them. The topic of playing surfaces should be a top priority in future negotiations with the commission.
Advertisement
If you want a good sample size, the NFLPA has said that its own surveys show more than 90 percent of players prefer playing on grass.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
42 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson doesn't hold back on thoughts surrounding offseason trade
Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson doesn't hold back on thoughts surrounding offseason trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson is happy to be a member of the Houston Texans, but that doesn't mean he's over his departure from the Philadelphia Eagles. Garnder-Johnson, the centerpiece of the Texans' biggest offseason move built around trading former first-round pick Kenyon Green, admitted he didn't take kindly to the deal initially. One year after helping the Eagles win their Super Bowl, he was off to a new team in a new locker room for the fourth straight offseason. He believes that he's been slighted throughout his career to date, and the Eagles might be the worst at doing him dirty. "I feel highly disrespected, but it's a business," Gardner-Johnson told KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. "Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want?" Part of the reason Gardner-Johnson believes he was traded has nothing to do with his on-field play, but rather his antics after the hit. He was fined six times for a total of $101,298, per during the 2024 season, including two fines up to $45,000 from the Eagles' Week 16 loss to the Washington Commanders, which ended with him being ejected after multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. "People say, 'He's a hazard, he's this, he's that.' I never been no hazard, bro," Gardner-Johnson told Wilson. "They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain't going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one." Signed to a three-year deal last offseason, Gardner-Johnson is under contract with Houston through 2026. He plans on proving his impact in Philadelphia by being the glue that keeps the Texans together en route to another AFC South division title. The good news for Texans fans? Since 2022, any team Gardner-Johnson has played for has made at least the conference championship, including the Detroit Lions in 2023. After being traded despite his impact on bringing a title to Philly, the veteran defensive back is now fueled to take DeMeco Ryans' defense to the next level. "I got three more championships in me," Gardner-Johnson said. "I'm probably going to win the next three. I'm going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch." The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 7 at SoFi Stadium.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Brittney Griner Had No Words for Big WNBA News on Tuesday
Brittney Griner Had No Words for Big WNBA News on Tuesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Brittney Griner was able to make her return to action on Friday following a two-game absence due to a knee injury. The Atlanta Dream welcomed their star center back with a 94-87 win against the Seattle Storm to mark their fourth consecutive victory. Advertisement It was two-time All-Star Allisha Gray who led the charge for Atlanta during Griner's recent brief spell on the sidelines. In fact, Gray's strong play over the past week led to some big news for the 6-foot guard. The WNBA announced on Tuesday that, for the first time in her career, Gray has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week behind averages of 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two games played last week. Griner caught wind of the news and the nine-time All-Star decided to flex her teammate's milestone. Griner took to Instagram to share the Dream's post announcing Gray's Player of the Week win. Griner had no caption for her post, instead opting to add a selection of emojis to emphasize her flex. Advertisement Thanks to Gray's strong run, Atlanta was able to make it four straight wins. The Dream are now 5-2 in the season and are sitting at the No. 3 spot in the WNBA. Atlanta Dream player Allisha Gray participates in the 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star Skills J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Their success has been thanks in large part to Gray, who is in the midst of her best season of her career. In seven games played thus far, the former Rookie of the Year has put up career-best numbers in points (21.4), field goal shooting (49.5%), assists (4.6) and three-pointers made (2.9 triples on 43.5% shooting). They will be back in action on Friday against the 1-6 Connecticut Sun as the Dream look to make it five wins in a row. Advertisement Related: Brittney Griner Reacts to Telling Detail From Caitlin Clark, Fever Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Eagles named the favorites to acquire T.J. Watt if the Steelers move on
Eagles named the favorites to acquire T.J. Watt if the Steelers move on The Steelers Wire names the Eagles as the favorites to land T.J. Watt if Pittsburgh does the unthinkable and trades the All-Pro pass rusher Every time an episode of Green Light With Chris Long drops, it's hard to think about the show's namesake without remembering one of his highlight-reel moments in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. It was the NFC Championship Game vs. the Minnesota Vikings. A four-man rush led to a collapsed pocket and a pick-six. Chris got his hands on Case Keenum, forcing the off-hand into Keenum's chest. As a result, Case couldn't get enough on the throw, and Patrick Robinson was the beneficiary. Long may not be the player that T.J. Watt is (no disrespect is intended), but they're cut from the same cloth. What if T.J. were an Eagle? Might he, in Vic Fangio's defense, be the author of more plays like Long's disruption? There's just one problem. T.J. and the Pittsburgh Steelers seem like a match made in Heaven. Well, at least they did up until their stalled conversations about Watt's deserved extension. The Eagles are named among five possible landing spots for T.J. Watt if the Steelers do the unthinkable and move on This isn't your grandfather's NFL. He wouldn't recognize most of the teams. The Cleveland Browns are still a mess, but the Detroit Lions are a legitimate contender. The Steelers, typically one of pro football's elite franchises, can't win playoff games or keep any of their players happy. Just in case you missed the announcement, T.J. hasn't reported to mandatory minicamp. It doesn't look like he will be going unless there's a new deal waiting for him when he gets there. Now, common sense and reason lend themselves to believing cooler heads will prevail. Still, just in case they don't, the speculation has already started about where he might wind up. Steelers Wire recently named Philly as one of five realistic landing spots. Andrew Vasquez explains: "This one would sting—but it would make a lot of sense if the Steelers aren't competitive around the 2025 trade deadline. The Eagles have a young, unproven edge rush duo and could see Watt as a potential rental for another Super Bowl run. Could Philadelphia offer a king's ransom for a potential two-peat, spearheaded by Watt's presence on defense?" Typically, when we hear these tales of disgruntled players and the theories about their 'most likely destinations, the Eagles are usually mentioned. Smoke rarely leads to any fires, and it probably won't do so here. This is T.J. Watt, though. This one was hard to ignore. He still has one year remaining on his current deal. That means, unless Pittsburgh trades him, he probably isn't going anywhere, and even if the Steelers entertained the idea, they'd probably ask for a king's ransom. Philadelphia has too many of its homegrown players who will soon need new deals. Three of which are Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith. That being said, we can end the T.J. Watt fantasy and move along to more pressing matters.
