Notre Dame Football: Former Players Criticize Yankee Stadium Playing Surface

Several former players criticized the Yankee Stadium playing surface on Twitter.

The Notre Dame football team played inside Yankee Stadium twice since 2010. In 2010, the Fighting Irish played the “Shamrock Series” against Army. Following an 8-4 season in 2013, the Irish faced Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl. During that time, several Irish players decided that playing in the home of the Bronx Bombers was not the best.

It began former Notre Dame Offensive Guard Mike Golic Jr. noting that the playing condition in this year’s Pinstripe Bowl were not great.

Current Baltimore Ravens and former Notre Dame Offensive Tackle Ronnie Stanley chimed in.

These two Offensive Linemen were not the only two players to talk about the Yankee Stadium turf. Former Notre Dame captain Linebacker Joe Schmidt also commented on the situation. Schmidt did talk about how cool the environment is in New York City.

The Yankee Stadium field is utilized for baseball for 81 games and the Pinstripe Bowl annually. Next year, the Irish face the Syracuse Orange in the 2018 version of the Shamrock Series.

So, why should Notre Dame football fans care if the players hate grass in the Bronx? First, poor turf completely negates the speed advantage that Notre Dame possesses against Orange. Second, it could cause injuries that might deplete the Irish down on the stretch.

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Regardless, the game is happening. Notre Dame and Syracuse clash in the “House of the Great Bambino” on Nov. 17. NBC plans to broadcast the game at 2:30 pm. The Fighting Irish have not lost a Shamrock Series game in the history of the event.