The NFL has faced a great deal of criticism over the quality of the playing surface at Super Bowl LVII, and there have been several explanations offered for why players were slipping all over the field. Apparently, the halftime show may have been one factor.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media discussed the State Farm Stadium turf issues during a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He noted that players seemed to struggle to keep their footing even more in the second half. Rapoport was told that was a result of the staging and other equipment from Rihanna’s massive halftime show making the grass too compact.
“The second half was worse. The halftime show, which basically spanned the entire field, it pressed the grass, heated it up and got it slick,” Rapoport explained. “It basically increased the moisture in the grass because it didn’t allow it to breathe and pressed down on the grass. Then you take the halftime show off the grass and it’s a little bit wetter, and in the third quarter everybody was sliding around.”
You can hear more of the explanation below, but beware that the clip contains inappropriate language:
