One of the lasting memories of Super Bowl 57 was how slippery the field was for both teams. Many NFL fans were wondering why the field wasn’t in the best shape for the league’s biggest game.

George Toma, the longtime groundskeeper who has prepared and then consulted the NFL for every Super Bowl field explained why players were slipping and sliding all over the place. Toma said in an interview with ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss.

“So, what he does,” Toma said, referring to Ed Mangan, the NFL field director who was in charge of the Super Bowl field, “he waters the hell out of it and puts it right into the stadium and that’s it. Never sees sunlight again. He can’t do that.”

Toma said the field should have been watered the morning of the Super Bowl, and kept out in the sun before bringing it back inside.

State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. has a machine where they can roll playing fields inside and out.

Because the field did not receive the proper sunlight, Toma says another problem was created.

“It had a rotten smell,” he said.

No wonder, both the Eagles and Chiefs were upset about the playing conditions. Many Eagles players switched cleats during the first half in an attempt to get a better grip.

In 2001, the Pro Football Hall of Fame presented Toma, known as “The Sodfather” and “God of Sod,” with the Pioneer Award for innovative contributions to professional football.

George Toma. Photo courtsey of Sarah Kwak

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