Crazy Things I Think the NFL Should Implement
The NFL is progressing in more than one way. It is breaking records for viewership of games, increasing revenue and using cutting-edge technology to enhance both players’ and fans’ experiences. With this being said, here are some crazy things that I think the NFL should start implementing to continue its growth.
Cameras in helmets to watch the game from a player’s point of view
As technology, particularly with helmets, continues to develop, the addition of a camera to the helmet seems like an accessory that both the fans and the players can benefit from. From the perspective of a fan, they will be able to pick and choose what player they want to watch the game from and “tap into” that player’s camera feed. The fans will get to bounce around the two teams and have the option to be on either side of the ball. This provides audiences with a first-person perspective of the game and also allows players to rewatch their videos to see what they missed (like when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would watch his videos from practice). Audio would be picked up from the cameras but would not be heard by the audience because of the vulgar words that would not be able to be bleeped out.
Annex the celebration rule and instead base an extra point on a spectacular celebration
The NFL for some reason has this thing against the players celebrating a touchdown, and many players have been fined for “celebrating too hard.” I think the NFL needs to relax with the rule because it’s not that deep. In fact, let’s just annex the rule entirely and while we are at it, let’s reward outstanding and unique celebrations. After a touchdown is scored, the team will have the option to either display an extraordinary celebration or kick the extra point—the team will have to tell the ref what they choose before going on offense each time. If the team opts for a jubilant celebration, then the refs will judge and score it based on a criterion the NFL sends out before the season. If the score is above six, then the team gets an extra point. The celebrations are reviewed, and teams can challenge a score without it affecting their timeouts as well. Each team must opt for a minimum of one celebration a game. At the end of the day, the NFL is supposed to be entertaining, so let’s get back to that with this better celebration rule.
Implement LEDs under the field to signal the line of scrimmage and first down line
I was quite baffled when I finally watched an NFL game live and there was no yellow line telling me where the first down marker is. I was in nosebleeds seats, so how was I supposed to see where the chains were, I mean I’m watching the players, not the sideline. To combat this issue that many people struggle with but won’t admit, I would have the teams implement LED lights under the turf and/or grass that light up where the line of scrimmage and the first down markers are. This will make it easier for fans to see where these markers are and can even help the players and refs determine where the ball should be placed. If teams want to get fancy with it, they can also implement the grass lights into their light shows for introductions, halftimes, etc.
Of course, these are just crazy, wild things that I think would enhance the NFL and take it to the next level. Whether these ideas will happen, only time will tell, but if I were the NFL I would be taking notes.