The turf at the Eagles-Titans game reached 156,2 degrees: The cleats were melting!
With temperatures over 104 degrees, the players had to pour water on their cleats so the studs wouldn’t melt, while the Eagles coach needed an IV
Extreme temperatures continue to put world sport in check, and many athletes, coaches, and governing bodies are calling for changes to schedules and events to cope with the heat.
In recent weeks, for example, the organizers of LaVuelta were forced to shorten the stage between Palma del Rio and Cordoba (Spain) due to forecast temperatures that could reach 105,8º. But cases keep occurring.
In the NFL matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans , forecasts warned of temperatures close to 104º, with a higher heat index due to the humidity, so the authorities had issued an alert. But the artificial turf at the Nashville stadium reached a temperature of 156,2 degrees , causing the cleats on some players' shoes to begin to melt.
I had never stopped to think about how hot a stadium with artificial turf can get. The heat builds up and radiates back upward.
That forced the trainers to spray water on the soles to cool them down. "I had never stopped to think about how hot a stadium with artificial turf can get. The heat builds up and radiates upward," said Eagles player Jordan Mailata. "We have to fix this. That's why we want all fields to be natural grass, to establish a playing standard in the league where we don't put players in dangerous situations if it's not necessary."
Even Eagles coach Nick Sirianni needed an IV as a result of the extreme heat. “I didn’t play a single snap and they had to put me on an IV. I really appreciate the grit the players showed, because it wasn’t easy,” he said afterward.
"The break was like having a NASCAR pit crew help me get ready for the second half," said Cam Jurgens , who had to replace his cleats several times because they were melting. "That turf was radiating heat".
