Ex-Eagles safety has choice words for NFL over Super Bowl turf controversy
Oct 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) reacts before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t hard to notice that Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs was marred by less-than-ideal field conditions.
Players were seen slipping and sliding far more often than usual, which many believed played to the detriment of the Eagles and their elite pass-rushing defense. It’s been reported that the NFL has privately heaped blame on the players for not wearing the proper cleats during the contest. That’s a sentiment that Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson — who played for the Eagles last season — didn’t take sitting down.
The defensive back took to Twitter to lambast the notion that the players’ cleats were the issue, revealing that he tried three different pairs of shoes but still couldn’t find one with the proper grip on the field. Gardner-Johnson also wondered why the league spent $800,000 on developing the Super Bowl turf rather than just opting for the original grass that the Cardinals use on their home field in Arizona.
“Man pre game I went through 3 different cleats!! Even the studs wasn’t working explain that please,” he wrote.
Man pre game I went through 3 different cleats!! Even the studs wasn’t working 😒 explain that please https://t.co/HzHLtnRyot
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) July 3, 2023
Gardner-Johnson then went on to assert the Eagles’ D-line dominance over the Chiefs’ offensive line, stating that Philadelphia would “smash” Kansas City if they played the game again on “legit grass.”
“Run that bowl back on legit grass , the Dline SMASH that Oline I’m sorry,” Gardner-Johnson wrote.
Run that bowl back on legit grass , the Dline SMASH that Oline I’m sorry 🗣️🗣️🗣️
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) July 3, 2023
It’s clear that Gardner-Johnson is not the only member of the Eagles’ defense that feels that way, with players still speaking out about how lucky the Chiefs were months after the Super Bowl ended.
The Eagles will just have to prove it next season by getting back to the Super Bowl, which will hopefully feature better grass than last time.