BURIEN, Wash. -- Just days from opening its first football field since its existence, Kennedy Catholic High School has delayed construction. This after an NBC report that looks at potential health risks of crumb rubber used to fill artificial fields.
That investigation outlined potential health risks of crumb rubber, a concern raised by University of Washington soccer coach Amy Griffin, who has compiled a list of former soccer players who have developed cancer.
There is no study that has shown a link between the surface and health risks, but Kennedy Catholic High administrators decided to go ahead and use a different product just days before crews were scheduled to put down the crumb rubber for the $2.4 million football field. The move has pushed back the field's completion date.
"When this issue was brought to light, the administrators here made the correct decision on saying we're not going to take that chance," said Kennedy Catholic High Athletic Director Bob Bourgette.
School administrators decided to go with a product called Nike Grind instead, which is ground up tennis shoe soles. Using the Nike Grind will add an estimated $20,000 or more to the cost of completing the field; however, school administrators said that was worth the peace of mind.
Football team captain Ben Josie said he's anxious for the opening of the new field, but grateful administrators are taking precautions.
"I never even thought that something like this could happen," said Josie. "The turf has never really bugged me, but long term we know that might be an issue. It was kind of scary."
Despite the delay in construction, the school is hopeful the field will be ready by the inaugural home game that is set for October 23.
