Oklahoma State on helping to develop Super Bowl LVII turf: We had no role in creating or preparing the field

While the defensive holding penalty in the final few minutes has become the top controversy of Super Bowl LVII coming out of the game, the field turf’s — designed in part by Oklahoma State University — right up there.

The turf at State Farm Stadium proved to be a problem throughout the game as many players slipped and slid across the field while trying to make plays. Coming out of the half, sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi did his report on how the field was impacting the Eagles players.

“The field conditions have been an issue since the pregame,” Rinaldi said on air. “You’ll see players having a hard time keeping their footing. We’ve already seen almost half a dozen Eagles change their cleats, Haason Reddick among them. DeVonta Smith, Jalen Hurts. Then take a look after halftime. This is all of the folks out after the halftime performance by Rihanna trying to fill the divots.”

Oklahoma State with funding from the United States Golf Association designed the turf used for the game, which is called Tahoma 31. The NFL reportedly spent $800,000 on the turf for the game.

Ahead of the game Sunday, Oklahoma State tweeted an article from ESPN about the grass and the process behind its design.

With many people criticizing the Super Bowl turf, Oklahoma State released a statement distancing itself from the turf used for the game.

“While OSU scientists developed and patented Tahoma 31, they had no role in creating or preparing the field for Super Bowl LVII,” the statement read.

Oklahoma State’s full statement on Super Bowl stadium turf

As a land-grant university, our mission is to advance science and extend knowledge. The bermudagrass variety Tahoma 31 took over a decade to develop before its release in 2017. This and other similar varieties are known for their exceptional winter hardiness, spring green-up, turf density, improved water use efficiency and traffic damage recovery.

While OSU scientists developed and patented Tahoma 31, they had no role in creating or preparing the field for Super Bowl LVII.

Tahoma 31 was used for the base layer, but the field also was seeded with a top layer of ryegrass, which has slick leaf surfaces when damp. That and other factors may have contributed to traction issues during play.

Notably, the Philadelphia Eagles played on Tahoma 31 at Lincoln Financial Field during the 2022 season, including the NFC Championship game two weeks ago. Tahoma 31 is widely used at high-profile sites across the country, including the Arkansas Razorbacks’ stadium, which was recognized as the 2022 College Football Field of the Year by the Sports Field Management Association.

After the field at Super Bowl LVII went viral yesterday, #okstate has given a statement on it. https://t.co/2E2RXGCdhe pic.twitter.com/7SL0RyQuyr

— Dean Ruhl (@the_ruhl_book) February 13, 2023