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In a candid interview, former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall revealed that the infamous turf at MetLife Stadium was the main factor behind his career-ending injury.
Marshall, who was on eight different teams during his 13-year career, including the Broncos, Bears, Dolphins, Jets, Giants, Seahawks, Saints, and Steelers, believes that the condition of the playing surface significantly contributed to his downfall.
A 4th round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Marshall established himself as one of the top wide receivers of his era.
With two All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl appearances to his name, Marshall was renowned for his impressive stats and remarkable performances on the field. He even holds the record for the most catches in a single game with an astonishing 21 receptions.
Marshall accumulated impressive statistics in his career, totaling 970 receptions for 12,351 yards and 83 touchdowns. However, despite his individual success, he never played in a playoff game.
Marshall’s time with the New York Giants in the 2017 season turned out to be a turning point in his career. After just five games with the team, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury that ultimately derailed his trajectory. The injury occurred in Week 5, and Marshall’s time with the Giants came to an abrupt end.
Following his release from the Giants, Marshall joined the Seattle Seahawks for the 2018 season. However, his stint with the team was short-lived, as he only managed to play in six games.
Marshall’s attempts to revive his career with the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers were unsuccessful, leading him to retire from professional football in 2019 at the age of 35.
In the interview with Doctor Mike on YouTube, Marshall opened up about the impact of the MetLife Stadium turf on his serious injury. He expressed his belief that the ankle injury he sustained during his time with the Giants was basically the “last” of him and that he could have continued playing more years had it not been for that fateful moment.
“That was pretty much the last of me,” Marshall said of the ankle injury that ended his Giants career. “I felt like I could’ve played a couple of more years, you know? That play was over.”
Describing the play that ended his career, Marshall recalled racing down the sideline to catch a pass out of bounds when he lost his footing, resulting in his legs twisting in unnatural directions.
He emphasized the severity of the injury, stating that he snapped his deltoid, which is an incredibly difficult injury to sustain and typically comparable to a car accident. Marshall knew in that moment that his career was over.
Marshall’s grievances with MetLife Stadium’s playing surface add him to a growing list of players who have criticized the quality of the turf. Numerous athletes have advocated for a change from artificial turf to natural grass at the stadium, citing concerns about the potential impact on player safety and the increased risk of injuries.
While Giants co-owner John Mara has acknowledged the players’ concerns and expressed a desire to transition to natural grass, the stadium’s new turf remains artificial.
The issue of playing surface safety has gained significant attention in recent years, prompting discussions among NFL players, team owners, and league officials.
As players like Brandon Marshall continue to speak out about their injuries and attribute them to the conditions of certain stadiums, the need for further investigation and potential changes to playing surfaces becomes increasingly important.
The NFL and its associated organizations must prioritize player safety and work toward finding solutions that reduce the risk of injuries caused by playing surfaces, ensuring the long-term health and well-being of the athletes who make the game possible.