Just while you thought you’d moved on from Super Bowl LVII’s frustrations, a 94-year-old decides to go scorched-Earth on the NFL’s groundskeeping efforts.
George Toma, the revered “Sodfather” who was in command of each single Super Bowl taking part in subject, advised ESPN this week why the sector for the Eagles-Chiefs showdown in February was such an abhorrent catastrophe.
In brief: the sector director tousled large time.
I used to be going to try to trim the quotes down, however Toma principally takes a flamethrower to subject director Ed Mangan and the league itself so here is the entire screed:
“The 94-year-old advised ESPN that he believes the sector was overwatered within the days main as much as the sport. According to Toma, the sector was watered the Wednesday morning earlier than the sport and promptly rolled into the stadium on the moveable tray that housed the grass subject for the final time earlier than kickoff 4 days later.
“Toma contended that the sector ought to’ve been watered within the morning and stored outdoors to dry earlier than being rolled in.
“‘…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 do this.’
“[…]
“A tarp was laid over the sector to guard it from the rehearsals for the pregame, halftime and postgame exhibits, Toma stated, and that led to the sector emitting an odor. Toma stated he was advised through the week that the sector was beginning to decay and decay.
“‘It had a rotten odor,’ he stated.
“Toma additionally alleged that Mangan didn’t sand the sector sufficient.
“‘He sanded it two weeks too late,; Toma stated. ‘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 care for it. He would not hearken to anyone.'”
Wow. Great stuff, NFL. The man in command of the sector was so clearly ruining issues {that a} dang 94-year-old may name him on each single missed element? Love it. Awesome.
Shoutout to Toma for confirming what all of us knew: one thing was deeply amiss right here.
Of course, the NFL’s assertion within the days following the sport was weak and defensive:
“The State Farm Stadium subject floor met the required requirements for the upkeep of pure surfaces, as per NFL coverage.”
Toma disagrees, as do principally all soccer followers in every single place.
Again: each groups performed on the identical subject, and we do not make excuses right here. The Chiefs gained. It simply stinks that all of us needed to undergo by way of such horrible taking part in situations for the most important recreation of the yr.
