Chris Boswell opens up on infamous Acrisure Stadium turf mishap
· Yahoo Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell is known for his unmatched reliability, but even the Pro Bowl specialist isn't immune to treacherous playing surfaces.
Speaking on a recent episode of teammate Cameron Heyward’s podcast, “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” Boswell opened up about a terrifying moment on the field when poor turf conditions sent him face-first into the dirt.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.org for more information.
Reflecting on the state of the home field before recent upgrades, Boswell didn't hold back regarding the old grass surface at Acrisure Stadium.
"Well, shout out to, you know, us resurfacing a field. We have different grass on our field now. Shout out Mr. Rooney getting it done," Boswell shared.
By late in the season, the wear and tear had taken a severe toll. Boswell detailed how playing deep into the schedule transformed the turf into something closer to a sandbox than a professional football field.
"And yeah, I mean, honestly, the only thing I knew is I went to kick the ball. We're at halftime, and at that point, it was like 11 games or something up to that point of being on the same field and so it was nothing but green sand. It looks probably good on TV but it's absolutely horrendous and all I remember is lining up for the kick and going to plant and then I'm face-first on the ground," recalled Boswell.
Teammate and long snapper Christian Kuntz, who was also on the episode, vividly remembered the chaotic scene from the sidelines, recalling the sheer size of the divot left behind.
"I didn't know what happened. I turned around, and I saw the crater in the ground. He's like on the ground," Kuntz added with a laugh.
Hopefully, those hazardous field conditions are a thing of the past. With team leadership stepping up to install a brand-new sod surface, Boswell and the special teams unit can finally plant with confidence as the Steelers prepare for the grind of another grueling season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Chris Boswell opens up on infamous Acrisure Stadium turf mishap