Technology continues to shape the way American society functions in a lot of ways, and sports are no different. Football has evolved a ton technology-wise over the years to what it looks like today, and it is fascinating to take a step back and see just how far it has come.
Instant Replay
One of the most obvious things to look at when thinking about technology in football is instant replay. For fans to rewatch a play immediately after it happens is an underrated feature as a consumer, but it is also crucial for those who are actually a part of the game. Coaches can challenge controversial calls, and the cameras have become so advanced that referees are likely to get these calls right after seeing all the angles available. Most of the time.
The NFL introduced replay reviews for potentially incorrect calls in 1986, and the system was in effect till 1991 when owners voted against keeping it in the game due to the delaying of games and the inaccuracy of calls even after replay reviews. An improved system of replay reviews returned in 1999, and it has been in effect ever since.
On-field communication
If you look at the sidelines of a college or pro football game, you will see a number of people wearing headsets, highlighting the constant communication going on. In the NFL, the quarterback and a selected defensive player can hear the play being called in through an audio device in their helmet until the 15-second mark on the play clock when the communication shuts off. College teams do not have the in-helmet audio, which is why you see more hand signals or those giant boards that might feature characters like Tony the Tiger on them.
Former Browns head coach Paul Brown secretly tried this out in 1956, but it was outlawed shortly thereafter. In 1994, a rule was passed that coaches could be in communication with quarterbacks, and in 2008, the defenses were allowed to have an audio device inside one defensive player’s helmet.
Betting
New technology is also going to make for a better product for us as consumers of the game. If your state has legalized sports betting, you likely now have the ability to pull out your phone, log in to a sportsbook app and place a bet on a game before or even while a game is taking place. No longer do sports bettors have to be at a physical sportsbook location in a place like Las Vegas to place bets. Technology and new betting legislation has made for a much more convenient process.
Many of these technological changes may have sounded crazy years prior, but they have or will become commonplace in the sport. As technology grows, it will be interesting to see what comes next.
Picture Credit: Pixabay
