CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NFL Players Association is expected to file a grievance against the Carolina Panthers and the NFL over the turf conditions during last week's Christmas Eve game against the Detroit Lions, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
The grievance is reportedly related to the hardness of the field, which was complained about by players before the game, who said the conditions in the extreme cold only worsened as the game progressed. The game was easily the coldest home game in Panthers franchise history, with afternoon temperatures well below freezing.
The wind chill made it feel close to zero degrees at kickoff, which the players said caused the field to be dangerously hard.
Numerous Lions players complained, including quarterback Jared Goff and offensive lineman Frank Ragnow. Several players told MLive.com that the conditions on Carolina's turf surface were among the worst they've experienced in the NFL. Carolina hammered the Lions in a dominant 37-23 victory.
"That was the most concrete field I've ever been on in my whole life," pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson said. "I didn't think that was actually legal to play on. Warming up, you're trying to turn the corner, and literally, in warmups, I fell in my first one-on-one rep right on my face."
On Monday, Jan 2, a league source told WCNC Charlotte's Nick Carboni that the NFL and Players Association experts were in touch prior to the game in question. That source said remedial measures were taken to ensure the game was in line with NFL-NFLPA protocols before the game even started. The source went on to say the playing conditions improved as the temperatures rose and the game went on, which softened the field.
The Panthers installed an artificial surface at Bank of America Stadium prior to the 2021-22 season to help accommodate Charlotte FC and other events being held at the facility.
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