Ground crew trims Maracana pitch with scissors
Workers at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro worked through Saturday to trim the grass before the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens. Staff were seen using both large and small scissors as well as mowers to level high grass across the field.
The condition of the pitch has been an issue for nearly two weeks. The stadium hosts local Brazilian soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, who play matches there at least once every week. That long soccer season left the surface in poor shape heading into this weekend.
League addresses player safety concerns
Experts from both the NFL and the players union have been checking the field closely before kickoff. The union was worried that loose turf would cause players to lose traction and slip during the game. To fix issues with traction and stability, the league added extra stitching to the pitch.
NFL field director Nick Pappas stated that extra improvements were completed after the union shared its worries. Pappas told reporters that things check out and added that there is no need to worry.
Rio hosts international NFL action
This is the first NFL game held in Rio de Janeiro, following previous matches at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo. The Maracana features 100 percent natural grass, while the arena in Sao Paulo uses a mix of natural and synthetic turf. That Sao Paulo surface was also criticized during its first year, forcing players from the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers to switch cleats to stop slipping.
Both the Cowboys and the Ravens landed in Rio on Friday after flights that lasted about 10 hours. This contest is one of a record nine international games on the NFL schedule this year. Outside the venue, visiting supporters have been touring local attractions like Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue in 80 degree weather.
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