Levi's Stadium's turf troubles are well-known, as last year, the team repeatedly replaced hundreds of yards worth of field, and this year the field's been re-sodded at least six times. In fact, a whole new field went in between January 4-11! But it apparently wasn't enough, as not only are Super Bowl 50 spectators noting that the grass looks "terrible," but players on both teams are getting pissed as hell as the game progresses.
According to commentators Phil Sims and Jim Nants, players keep changing out their cleats during the game (like a teen girl on the first day of school or Cher during a Vegas show), as they slip and slide across the field.
Even before the game, things were looking iffy on the field, SB Nation reports.
They're having some turf trouble at Levi's Stadium. Groundskeepers are walking around, picking up and/or flattening chunks of grass.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) February 7, 2016
Vernon Davis just fell over running a five-yard out pattern in warmups, no defender. So there's that.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) February 7, 2016
As I just said on live chat, it's slippery on Levi's Stadium turf. At least 2 #Broncos receivers have wiped out making the simplest of cuts.
— John Kryk (@JohnKryk) February 7, 2016
Groundskeepers scurrying to fix the turf after warmups (and before the pregame show is set up) ... pic.twitter.com/C3tY6Hbrhx
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) February 7, 2016
And things just got worse once the game began. According to Sims, players are "frustrated" and have gestured toward the turf in anger several times throughout the game.
The turf at Levi stadium looks horrible; no wonder all the players keep asking for new cleats.
— Christian Roman (@Cromantary) February 8, 2016
Seeing reports that the new Levi's Stadium sod is causing a problem for players who are... https://t.co/gpbZ6bvYtJ pic.twitter.com/VK8ZDVqqLR
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) February 8, 2016
Players on both teams are changing cleats due to footing issues on the Levi's Stadium sod.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) February 8, 2016
Levi’s Stadium 75,000 square feet of turf has been provided by West Coast Turf. https://t.co/ICc2kDvrQj pic.twitter.com/6IFNlOIRQL
— SVbizjournal (@SVbizjournal) February 8, 2016
Thnn again...
All those ladies were dancing—in heels—on a field where professional athletes keep slipping.
— Trammell (@trammell) February 8, 2016