By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
Game Analysis
Mizzou coach begs fans, 'Please, do not rush the court!' after win over No. 4 Alabama
Mizzou coach begs fans, ‘Please, do not rush the court!’ after win over No. 4 Alabama
Game Analysis
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Game Analysis
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Game Analysis
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered
NFLSports News

Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered

BigP
Last updated: 2023/02/28 at 10:42 PM
BigP Published February 28, 2023
Share
Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered
SHARE
4:04 PM ET

George Toma, the longtime groundskeeper who prepared and then advised the preparation of every Super Bowl field, believes the issues that plagued the field at Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, could have been avoided.

The 94-year-old told ESPN that he believes the field was overwatered in the days leading up to the game. According to Toma, who has been nicknamed The Sodfather, the field was watered the Wednesday morning before the game and rolled into the stadium on the moveable tray that housed the grass field for the last time before kickoff four days later.

Toma contended that the field should’ve been watered in the morning and kept outside to dry before being rolled in.

Editor’s Picks

1 Related

“So, what he does,” Toma said, referring to Ed Mangan, the NFL field director who was in charge of the Super Bowl field and worked under Toma for years, “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.”

A tarp was laid over the field to protect it from the rehearsals for the pregame, halftime and postgame shows, Toma said, and that led to the field emitting an odor. Toma said he was told during the week that the field was starting to decay and rot.

“It had a rotten smell,” he said.

Toma also alleged that Mangan did not sand the field enough.

“He sanded it two weeks too late,” Toma said. “He had only one sanding. He should have had two or three sandings, but he didn’t do s—. And that was it. And not only that, he didn’t take care of it. He wouldn’t listen to anybody.”

Toma said he’s not blaming rye grass for the field’s slickness, adding that he used rye grass for 27 Super Bowls.

In a statement the day after the Super Bowl, the NFL said: “The State Farm Stadium field surface met the required standards for the maintenance of natural surfaces, as per NFL policy. The natural grass surface was tested throughout Super Bowl week and was in compliance with all mandatory NFL practices.”

Super Bowl LVII was Toma’s last. He retired after more than 80 years in the groundskeeping business. “I can’t take it anymore,” said Toma, who said he hasn’t been pleased with how the NFL responded to field issues at Super Bowl sites in the past.

“Me and the league are finished,” Toma said. “They can’t tell me what to do anymore. We’re done.”

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

2025 NFL free agency: 10 big-name players who could be cap casualties

Rather be the Bills or Ravens over the next 3 years? | First Things First

7 charged in burglary ring that struck Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, other star homes

Tee Higgins, 4 other NFL players who excelled during their franchise-tag season

BigP February 28, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Sources: Ohio State hires ex-NFL coach Philbin
    NCAASports News

    Sources: Ohio State hires ex-NFL coach Philbin

    BigP BigP May 24, 2023
    Kiffin ‘struggled’ with critics after Auburn rebuff
    Chiefs’ Thuney (pec) still hopeful for SB return
    FSU asks NCAA to reduce, rescind NIL penalties
    Hobbled Saints place Williams (hamstring) on IR
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?