SMU Replacing Turf With Natural Grass at Ford Stadium

​STEVEN CORDER
APR 13, 2025 6:36 PM EDT

When SMU Football hits the field on August 30 against East Texas A&M, it won’t just be the scoreboard catching fans’ eyes—it’ll be the ground beneath their cleats. Gerald J. Ford Stadium is trading in its synthetic turf for a natural grass surface, a decision rooted in both tradition and player safety.

Artificial turf has long been criticized for contributing to non-contact injuries. A 2022 NFLPA report showed players are 32% more likely to suffer a non-contact knee injury on turf compared to grass. For SMU, fresh off an 11-3 season and a College Football Playoff appearance, keeping players healthy is a top priority. “Grass is easier on the joints, the knees, the ankles. This is for our players,” said one staffer familiar with the project.

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