George Toma has been concerned in Super Bowl discipline preparations for many years, and he shared his principle on what could have brought on issues at State Farm Stadium.
Toma, 94, instructed ESPN he believes the grass was overwatered within the days earlier than the sport between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
State Farm Stadium incorporates a retractable roof and a pure grass floor that’s rolled outdoors on a movable tray to obtain daylight. According to Toma, the sod was watered the Wednesday earlier than the sport kicked off on Sunday.
The discipline is readied forward of Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 11, 2023. (Angela Weiss/AFP by way of Getty Images)
After the sector was watered, it was rolled into the stadium, however Toma stated that Ed Mangan, the NFL discipline director who was tasked with overseeing the Super Bowl discipline, ought to have left the tray outside for the grass to correctly dry.
“So, what he does,” Tom stated of Mangan, “he waters the hell out of it and places it proper into the stadium and that is it. Never sees daylight once more. He cannot try this.”
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Toma and Mangan beforehand labored collectively for a number of years.
An elevated view of the LVII emblem painted on the sector previous to Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
During rehearsals for pregame performances and Rihanna’s halftime present, the grounds crew positioned a tarp over the sector. The tarp was meant to guard the sector, however Toma believes it really damage the floor.
“It had a rotten scent,” Toma stated he was instructed of the times main as much as the sport. He additionally claims an inadequate quantity of sand was used on the sod.
“He sanded it two weeks too late,” Toma stated of Mangan and his grounds crew. “He had just one sanding. He ought to have had two or three sandings, however he did not do s—. And that was it. And not solely that, he did not maintain it. He would not hearken to anyone.”
FOX Sports viewers witnessed a patriotic, country-style rendition of the nationwide anthem by Chris Stapleton. (Getty Images)
“The State Farm Stadium discipline floor met the required requirements for the upkeep of pure surfaces, as per NFL coverage,” the league stated in a press release on Feb. 13. “The pure grass floor was examined all through Super Bowl week and was in compliance with all obligatory NFL practices.”
After 80-plus years in groundskeeping, Toma formally retired however talked about that he was fed up with how the league has dealt with surfaces on the Super Bowl over time.
“Me and the league are completed,” Toma stated. “They cannot inform me what to do anymore. We’re executed.”
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