Every NFL player has that one stadium they dread playing in. Whether it’s bad memories, injuries, or just an overall uncomfortable experience, certain venues simply rub players the wrong way. For Mekhi Becton, former first-round pick of the New York Jets and now an offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, the stadium he hates most is one he’s all too familiar with: MetLife Stadium.
Becton, who spent several seasons with the Jets, didn’t hold back when talking about his dislike for the stadium, which serves as the home field for both the Jets and the New York Giants.
“I don’t wanna play in that [expletive] stadium,” Becton said in an interview with CBS Sports. “It’s bad. Everything is just bad about that stadium. I don’t really like it. I’m just glad I only gotta do it one time a year. Just gotta go in there, do my 1-11 and go home.”
His disdain isn’t entirely surprising, as MetLife Stadium has long been criticized by players across the NFL, particularly for its controversial turf. While Becton himself has managed to avoid injury on the stadium’s playing surface, he’s still wary of the conditions.
“You can just tell the difference, like if you was to get on that turf and then go on a different turf,” Becton explained. “You can tell. It’s a night and day difference. It just feels lifted. There’s a lot of things that don’t feel right about that turf.”
The turf at MetLife has been a hot topic among players for years, with many advocating for a switch to natural grass. Numerous injuries have been linked to the artificial surface, leading players to question why the stadium hasn’t made the change. Becton is no different, expressing his confusion over why MetLife, an outdoor stadium, doesn’t already have grass.
“I never been told why,” Becton said. “I just don’t understand why if you have an outdoor stadium, why not just have grass? Just for anybody. It just don’t make sense to me.”
Though Becton didn’t live up to the high expectations of his first-round draft status during his time with the Jets, he’s clearly looking forward to the upcoming matchup against the New York Giants. The Eagles face off against the Giants this weekend, and for Becton, it’s a chance to take the field in a stadium that brings back memories of playing in the shadow of New York’s more decorated football team.
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“It’s like a whole other side,” Becton said. “The way I put it when I was there, we was like the little brothers to them. On their side, they had all their trophies and Super Bowls, and on our side—we were the New York Jets.”
Becton’s comments about MetLife Stadium come at a time when players across the league are increasingly vocal about the safety and quality of playing surfaces. The debate between turf and grass continues to heat up, with many calling for improvements, particularly in stadiums that have a history of player injuries.
Despite his grievances, Becton will be back at MetLife this Sunday as the Eagles take on the Giants, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET. For Becton, it’s a return to a stadium he’s not particularly fond of, but it’s a task he’s willing to face once a year before he heads home, hopefully with a win.
As the NFL season progresses, Becton and other players will continue to raise concerns about stadium conditions, hoping that one day, MetLife and others will make the necessary changes to improve player safety and comfort.