How Technology Could End Controversial Calls In The NFL

Think back to the last time you were watching an NFL game and saw a contentious play. Did the ball really cross the goal line? Is fourth and inches or a first down? How long did it take the referees to make a call and did they even get it right?  With technologies like state of the art TVs connected to the Internet, tablets for live tweets and second-screen video, plus broadcast overlays like the virtual first down line, many of us at home are better equipped than referees to see what really happens on the field and diagnose it in real-time. While broadcast cameras are always focused on the ball and can view the action from multiple angles, referees might be on the wrong side of the field with only a line-of-sight view. We thought this was a little unfair, especially considering the referees are the ones responsible for calling the game. What new technologies could help refs better officiate a clean, debate-free NFL game and save them at least a little grief from fans in the process? <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4cWSz9Di40eCh5_TCH6C-htbR7Zc-RlK0y3AvYcZaymZbTvd0P4HCADIz9aGFNtFzzPQfKhMxrIFeoNivk2RbVIJqoXKAw-b_P7NL5ggia25ww5p8E95" alt="" width="520px;" height="375px;" /> One challenge referees face is determining whether or not a football broke the plane of the endzone. Touchdown calls can swing the entire outcome of a game, but by using a chip similar to what’s inside the soccer ball above, referees could track a football’s exact location anywhere on the field. The NFL has recently been<a href="http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE6722GD20100803"> in discussions</a> with Cairos Technologies, a leading German manufacturer of ball-tracking systems, about implementing a <a href="http://www.cairos.com/unternehmen/gltsystem.php?sl=1">series of cables</a> under the field of play that a chip-embedded football could detect. The ball’s location would then be transmitted to a central computer that would notify referees via a watch-like gadget if it crossed a particular line. <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/29/sports/la-sp-nfl-football-20110130">Another option</a> developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University imbeds a GPS and accelerometer unit into the ball so that it could report where it is without the cables. In addition to helping refs make calls, these systems could integrate with current sport visualization technologies to highlight where the ball is for viewers at home. <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hopSGOxCBbo7x4Ltg2nJcWxQmWcTK_DAGWm5U5H06oLMsFbgBDz-T-m2G5EdOIDuYIMHFOn3qc3SCNCdR5l8ZsE4NumPuw_ux7RGF3hqgsEEq9OPlu2G" alt="" width="520px;" height="375px;" /> While we at home watch with multiple devices and constantly chat about the game to friends, it seems a bit archaic that refs have to run across the field to discuss a call with each other. Back in December 2011, NFL officials began discussions to <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2011/12/15/nfl-greater-bandwidth-faster-football/">wirelessly connect referees</a>, and even players, for instant communication that would reduce gametime lulls like huddling and conferencing. In fact, SEC officials began using wireless microphones in<a href="http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2012/sec-officials-wireless-mics/"> August</a>, but has yet to make it to the NFL. The ability to maintain constant communication would help to keep the game flowing and entertaining, which could also help improve audience retention (something advertisers would love). <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/udbKRHVdb8UHFoprJMWt4EpCwUlNaw9zMn6TZ-S0A5CuL97yInA6qk-sWktYKOrwe5Th8U2YDLn8vKZUgeTj6TBDzNgwAMwD5B7ahaBQD39Y11kc09af" alt="" width="520px;" height="325px;" /> And while the NFL has employed augmented reality for viewers at home in games since 1998 (the yellow line), the referees don’t have access to the technology. How will the NFL referee of the future see the game? He’ll be prowling the sidelines, wearing a virtual reality visor similar to <a href="http://www.psfk.com/2012/04/google-augmented-reality-glasses.html">Google Glass</a> that displays the ball’s exact position, where each player is on the field, and the position of the first-down line. Flipping his microphone down, he’ll talk to his colleagues across the field and together they’ll examine the game as they manipulate a 3D grid on their wirelessly linked tablets, checking their watches for a notification the ball has crossed into the endzone. If they need a closer look at a play, they’ll cue up instant replay from high-speed cameras around the field to see the action from any angle, just like in the Madden series of video games. Sound like science fiction? Nope, these technologies <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/football/2012/11/04/new-technologies-are-ready-assist-nfl-referees/kpm1GiP8PcbMhtxl7KbfKM/story.html">already exist</a> and most already help fans at homes have superior game oversight over the officials on the ground. It’s time to balance this out and make the game more fair – NFL, bring some tech to the field!  <script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[ var _kaq = _kaq || []; _kaq.push([2, "50c0ea9aa94b6a02000005da", "50c0f6219ac96b02000007bf"]); (function(){ var ka = document.createElement('script'); ka.async=true; ka.id="ka_tracker"; ka.src="http://savoy-prod.heroku.com/ka.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ka, s); })(); // ]]></script>

How Technology Could End Controversial Calls In The NFL

PSFK