Many players had issues with their footing during the NFL’s opening weekend.
It started with Isaiah Likely’s touchdown being ruled out because of a toe-tap at the back of the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium and continued throughout a weekend where the Eagles and Packers struggled with slipping on the Corinthians Arena soccer field in Sao Paulo, as the league made its debut in Latin America’s largest country.
Even games played indoors saw their share of problems with footing. At Ford Field, the Lions had trouble with their footing and blamed themselves rather than the turf after barely winning against the Rams in overtime.
The Lions could have won the game in regulation if not for three slips during their final drive, which ended with a field goal.
Jared Goff missed a potential touchdown throw to Jahmyr Gibbs, who slipped while running open in the Rams’ secondary with about a minute left.
Amon-Ra St. Brown lost his balance on an incompletion two plays later, and Kalif Raymond fell during a third-down play before Jake Bates’ field goal tied the game.
After the Lions managed to win 26-20 in overtime, Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams suggested that the issue wasn’t just a slippery field but also the team’s lack of practice. He noted that practicing on grass and having many veterans sit out the preseason meant it took some time to get used to the artificial turf.
The situation was worse in Brazil, where the soccer field turned into a patchy surface by halftime of Philadelphia’s 34-29 victory over Green Bay.
Saquon Barkley, who otherwise had a great game in his Eagles debut, lost 5 yards on his first carry for Philadelphia due to slipping.
Packers receiver Christian Watson missed catching a touchdown when he slipped in the end zone, and Green Bay running back Emanuel Wilson fell after gaining 14 yards when he tried to make a cut.
Jordan Love, who was playing his first game since signing a $220 million contract extension, got hurt. Backup Malik Willis came in for one last play but slipped in the pocket and was sacked by Zach Baun before he could throw a Hail Mary.
With players on both teams slipping on nearly every play, former NFL star J.J. Watt shared on social media: “Soccer fields are made for speed and agility. Smaller bodies gliding across the surface with minimal contact.
They are not properly conditioned to have the size & strength of NFL players cutting, pushing, and driving all game on them. This is common at international games.”
In Kansas City, where Taylor Swift and other Chiefs fans are hoping for a Super Bowl win, the opener ended because of a different kind of slipping issue.
Just as Ravens coach John Harbaugh was calling for a 2-point attempt to try to beat the reigning champions, video clearly showed Likely’s right big toe on the white endline.
Since he was wearing black cleats, his touchdown was invalidated with no time left, and the Chiefs won 27-20 in the 2024 NFL kickoff.
Patrick Mahomes had a lighthearted comment for Likely afterward. “You have to wear white cleats next time,” Mahomes joked.
If Likely had worn white shoes like his teammate Roquan Smith, the TV cameras would have likely still shown he was on the endline, but his black cleats made it clear he was out of bounds.
