The NFL has grown in popularity over the years, opening up to a huge international audience accented by the international series. Taking place in Mexico, London and Germany, a cluster of games are hosted abroad each season to sell-out crowds. It has also grown in popularity in terms of gambling with a record 31.4 million Americans betting on the Super Bowl back in February.
To keep this wide audience, the NFL has welcomed many changes to ensure they are constantly evolving. One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of more technology in the game. These are not just limited to officiating decisions as well and players now have access to technology which can improve their individual game, making it even more exciting to watch. But what are they and how have the benefited the sport of Football?
Helmet Tech
Many of us wince at the thought of playing football in anything other than the helmets we now know, but until 1949 they used leather. This eventually gave way to plastic and then polycarbonate in the 70s and 80s to make it a lot safer for players. NFL helmet-makers Riddell and Schutt have introduced headgear features including sensors that automatically register data about head impacts and plates that can move independently of each other. Every QB of course uses radios in their helmet to communicate with their coaches, allowing fans everywhere to witness incredible plays amongst the raucous crowd noise of the gigantic stadiums.
Online Sportsbooks
The move from land-based sportsbooks to online/app based has made betting on the NFL quicker, easier and a lot more fun for football fans. You have it all at your fingertips with the use of apps such as Draftkings and also have a much more expansive betting market. You can even bet in-play whilst you are watching the game. A record 31 million Americans placed bets on the Super Bowl this year with gambling laws being relaxed across the country. The latest NFL odds list the Buffalo Bills as favorites to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy at the culmination of this season.
Instant Replay
Although first being introduced in 1986, the instant replay feature used by referees was actually scrapped just six years after the fact. By 1999 however, the tech behind it had greatly improved and it was reintroduced, only getting better since. Higher resolution cameras and higher frame rates mean referees can see everything crystal clear when having to make big calls, allowing for a fairer and more competitive game. Speaking of crystal clear images…
High-definition Television
The inception of HDTV has not just changed the way the game is officiated but also how it is watched. It was CBS who first broadcast an NFL game in HD back in 1998 and by 2004 more than 70 percent of games were in HD. Fast forward to 2022 and the at-home viewing experience is incredible for football fans. With every game available to watch in 4K Ultra HD, you will almost feel like you are in the stadium watching with just how crystal clear the imagery is.
iPad Playbooks
Although many coaches still carry their laminated playbooks, we are now seeing more and more use iPads on the sidelines. This is because the NFL has implemented a system where every single person involved in the League, players included, have their own specially-wired iPad. These can be updated in real time by coaches to provide instruction to their players. This is yet another innovation that has allowed on-field performance to improve meaning we get to see some of the best athletes the world has to offer playing at their very best.
Smart Fabrics
It is not just helmets that have been innovated over the years for the players benefits but their uniforms too. The NFL has implemented Under Armour fabric for every uniform, implementing in-built heating and cooling technology to regulate players’ temperature. They are made from a stretchy, thin, mesh material which allows more freedom of movement compared to previous uniforms. This helps us see these players at their athletic best. It also makes pulling a lot harder for defenders, again allowing for a fairer more competitive game.
These are just some off the tech innovations that the NFL has introduced over the years but there is a list of more too long to write in this article. What is even better is that with just how fast we see new technology incepted and improved we are going to see even more improvements. Players, coaches, referees and most importantly fans have had their experience improved greatly over the years.
The NFL is more fun to watch now than ever, and the use of technology has played a gigantic part in that.
