Rodgers calls for NFL to mandate grass fields to protect players

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes the NFL needs to change all of its playing surfaces to natural grass.

"I think you would see less of these non-contact injuries that we see on some of the surfaces, and I think that it'd be a good step in the right direction toward player safety to make the requirement for every field to be grass," Rodgers said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

However, the star quarterback isn't holding out hope.

"I don't have a lot of confidence when it comes to the league making that decision without some sort of big vote and gripes from certain owners who don't want to spend the money," he said.

Rodgers has spoken out about issues impacting player safety before. He came out against the NFL's recent expansion to 17 games.

"(Expanding to 17 games) was about monetary gains, so (mandating grass fields) would be putting your money where your mouth is if player safety is important," Rodgers said.

The NFLPA filed a request Tuesday calling for the immediate ban and replacement of slit film turf, which is used by seven NFL teams.

Data indicates that grass has only been marginally safer than turf overall. However, the NFLPA, which wants slit film turf to be replaced with grass, has stated the surface has a higher injury rate. The report also says the NFL acknowledged the higher injury risk of slit film turf.

The Packers currently play on polyethylene-based SISGrass, which combines synthetic fibers with Kentucky bluegrass.