Months after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the playing field at State Farm Stadium remains a subject of debate. Recent reports indicate that NFL team owners discussed the field conditions, with the league suggesting players' footwear choices were to blame, despite reports of the Eagles changing cleats at halftime.
Former Eagles players, cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (now with the Detroit Lions), reacted to the ongoing discussion. Slay hinted at the triviality of the topic so close to training camp, while Gardner-Johnson expressed a desire for a rematch, claiming the Eagles' defensive line would have dominated the Chiefs.
Chiefs offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. (now with the Cincinnati Bengals) quickly countered Gardner-Johnson's claim. Brown argued that the Eagles' defensive strategy, not the field, was the issue, emphasizing that proper cleat placement was crucial for his performance regardless of the turf. He pointed out that the field condition might have actually benefited the Eagles' defense.
Longtime Super Bowl groundskeeper George Toma previously suggested overwatering as a potential cause of the field issues. Regardless of the exact reason, the field's condition undoubtedly played a role in the game's outcome.
