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Most football fans would agree that the matchup between the Eagles and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII lived up to the hype, although that contest was marred by a couple of issues that quickly became a hot topic of discussion.
Plenty of people would argue we were deprived of the ending we deserved thanks to the controversial holding call that all but ensured Kansas City would walk away with the win (although it does appear the initial replays failed to capture the infraction in question).
There’s also what has widely been referred to as “Sodgate,” as it was impossible to ignore the fairly abysmal condition of the experimental golf grass that covered a field that got absolutely torn up by the players who spent plenty of time complaining about it during the showdown.
Philadelphia shouldered the bulk of the fallout based on how frequently its players slipped while rushing Patrick Mahomes (who wasn’t sacked a single time). As a result, plenty of conspiracy theorists have attempted to pin the blame on the Chiefs’ employee known as “The Sodfather” who’d overseen the installation of the turf.
Of course, it’s pretty hard to argue that factor actually gave the winning team a major edge when you consider both squads had to deal with the unfavorable conditions—and Eagles GM Howie Roseman basically said as much while downplaying the role it played in Philly’s loss.
On Thursday, multiple reporters attempted to get Roseman to pin at least some of the blame on the turf, but he made it very clear he wasn’t going to use it as an excuse by trotting out the same answer to those questions.
#Eagles GM Howie Roseman asked twice about the field conditions on Sunday and the effect on their team, particularly the pass rushers. Answers twice succinctly: “Both teams played on the same field.”
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 16, 2023
I doubt that will put this issue to rest, but hopefully Eagles fans who are still trying to die on that hill will take a cue from their GM and help us put this overblown issue to rest.