You certainly read that right! We are moving in a new era globally and the NFL isn’t going to be left behind in this new tech world. As we approach the start of training team in the next week for most NFL teams, the NFL has revealed their plans to look to improve their game by using data chips in footballs.
According to ESPN,
The data would be used for research that could spark significant changes in officiating, kicking and other areas as soon as the 2017 season.
The Toronto Sun reported earlier Sunday that the league would use chips in K-balls to help determine the potential impact of narrowing the goalposts sometime in the future.
The data will tell the league how close each kick comes to the uprights and thus help project how many additional kicks would be missed if the uprights were closer together.
After years of internal discussion, the NFL is moving forward with a plan to insert a three-gram chip inside every game football used in the 2016 preseason and likely during the Thursday night regular-season schedule, as well. The data is part of the league’s NextGen program that culls tracking and exertion information from every player and official on the field during games.
The football chip will provide information ranging from its precise location during kicks to the velocity of throws by quarterbacks, but there is no indication that the NFL has plans to use it for psi measurements. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said he is satisfied with what he explained were strengthened pregame and in-game policies for ball inflation and chain of custody during the 2015 season.
Now this could be a great idea if used right. Imagine a situation where its fourth and goal and the naked eye can’t tell if the football crossed the goal line, maybe the data chips will be able to pick up on that. It could improve first down marking and more if you ask me. Either way, its a huge step for the sporting and technology worlds. Stay tuned to HHS1987. Follow @eldorado2452 on Twitter and Instagram for all your sports news.
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