The Broncos and Panthers came prepared for Super Bowl 50. The groundskeepers did not.
Through Sunday’s first half, the biggest stage was a slippery one for the the AFC and NFC champs, as Levi’s Stadium turf had players slipping and sliding around. The turf has been a major problem since the stadium opened in 2014. The NFL installed new turf for the big game, but it has not helped much.
It affected them in warmups, it affected them during the game as players from both teams complained about a slick surface.
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
Several Broncos and Panthers changed their cleats, seeking some solution from a field that would not allow them to always plant their feet and explode.
Panthers having problems with footing on Levi's Stadium field and four have switched cleats, per CBS. Manning slipped, too
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 8, 2016
Broncos also complaining about sod, CBS @tracywolfson reports. Welcome to the #49ers world
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 8, 2016
It didn’t take long for fans and media to blast the Santa Clara, Calif., field.
Really, we can't have a Super Bowl without a slippery field?
— Jerry Sullivan (@ByJerrySullivan) February 8, 2016
