A helpful perk of technology is erasing error. The NFL is constantly on the cutting edge on technological advances meant to enhance the experience of the game for players and fans. A growing concern is how these advances will one day replace the need for human officiating. Conservative fans are opposed to eliminating refs or umpires completely. Some fans and even officials, however, believe introducing new tech is important for the future of their respective sport. Important issues such as player safety also calls for more enhanced tech.
The NFL Uses RFID Tags
The NFL has used athlete monitoring devices for the last decade. These tiny tracers worn in jerseys supply input such as a player’s acceleration/deceleration, how many yards they cover, and how fast they can run a play. In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL used SafeZone tags from Kinexon. The wearable contact tracers were modified to enable players and coaches to monitor their distances from one another. These devices are now being applied to game balls, shoulder pads and pylons. Next Gen Stats are made possible because of these radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The speculation that exists concerns the broad scope of this technology, how young it is, and whether is it accurate enough to substitute for an actual person.
Technology Aids All Sports
This is a football website, obviously, but think about this: the NBA and WNBA summer leagues are on to something. These leagues are used as control groups for experimenting with new technology. The new tech project they have tried recently is called ‘Precision Ball Tracking.’ This project adds more neutrality in official calls. “For officiating accuracy, the league is looking to use highly precise 3D images of the ball to assist in close calls, such as goaltending, shot-clock resets, and stopping the clock after a made basket.” The result is not meant to replace referees, but “the NBA is looking to create a precise, clean virtual replay for both refs and fans.” The ‘Hawk-Eye’ enhances the naked eye. It is an additional tool used to decrease human error while refs patrol the game and keep the flow going.
Advancing technology and human officiating are co-existing. Precisely making the right call is important in all sports. Using these technological innovations helps scientists to determine better safety protocols, exercise regimens, and nutritional values. They can keep players healthy and on the field. A referee’s or umpire’s position remains safe for now. The need for the human touch and interpretation is still the preferred method in most athletics.