Antrel Rolle Blames Injuries on Field Conditions After Release from Chicago Bears

By Clyde A. Speller | May 2, 2016

Nov 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Bears strong safety Antrel Rolle (26) looks on before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

A day after the 2016 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears thought it was in their best interest to release veteran safety Antrel Rolle after just playing one season in the Windy City. Not long after having his ties severed with the franchise, Rolle didn’t hesitate in expressing his feelings about the Bears’ infamous field conditions at Soldier Field, as well as the fields at their practice facility in Halas Hall.

Rolle spoke with the New York Times and said that “the surfaces in Chicago are the worst I’ve ever seen.” The injuries that the 33-year-old sustained during the 2015 season can certainly back up his statement about the Bears’ playing surfaces.

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Having already suffered a sprained ankle early in the 2015 season, Rolle injured his knee in Week 4 during a home game versus the Oakland Raiders after slipping on the Soldier Field turf. After being sidelined for the next two games, Rolle returned to the lineup, only to injure himself on the final play of practice leading up to the Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Rolle slipped on the practice field, tearing his MCL and was eventually put on injured reserve.

This isn’t the first time that ridicule has been directed to the field conditions of Soldier Field. Many players across the league have said that the turf of the Bears’ home stadium is the worst in the entire NFL. But to hear the same about their practice facility is unexpected news.

One may think that the simple solution is to just get rid of the Soldier Field sod and replace it with field turf. I couldn’t agree more. However, a decision such as this is out of the hands of the Bears. In fact, such a move will have to be made by the city of Chicago, since Soldier Field is owed by the Chicago Park District. With so many stadiums in the NFL having field turf, it’s probably time for the city of Chicago to help the Bears join the majority of the league in doing the same.

As for the conditions at Halas Hall, improving that situation is strictly on the shoulders of the Bears’ organization. Rolle is probably the first player to mention just how bad the outdoor and indoor surfaces are at Halas Hall. Let’s just hope that the attention Rolle has brought to this will lead to more fertile ground.

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