George Kittle: World Cup shows NFL can play on grass

George Kittle says the World Cup is proof the NFL can safely and consistently play on grass, pointing to multiple stadium conversions for the tournament. The San Francisco 49ers tight end argued that if “futbol” can be played on grass at NFL venues, the league should prioritize it for players’ bodies and because it has already been done for the World Cup. Kittle cited conversions from turf to grass at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Lumen Field in Seattle, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, NRG Stadium in Houston, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. He noted his own Achilles’ tear on Jan. 11 in the NFC wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles also occurred on grass. Kittle, 32, recorded 57 catches for 628 yards and seven TDs in 2024.