While many believe that the chain gang is archaic and that the NFL should use technology to determine where balls should go down, NFL commentator Gerry Sandusky took things too far.
It happened during the Baltimore Ravens’ and Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason game. As the chain gang came onto the field, play-by-play announcer Sandusky ripped into the NFL for not utilizing new technology.
“We have the technology to put a GPS tracker on Mars,” said Sandusky But we still use a bunch of older guys on the sideline with sticks to measure whether a ball carrier got a first down. Nothing against the older guys with sticks.”
Of course, though, that was a fair point that many people have agreed with for a while now, but when he started attacking the individual chain gang members, many people disagreed.
“It just seems absurd that in a game where they have GPS trackers on player’s shoulder pads, they have 19 different levels of algorithms to measure everything in the NFL, we still use guys with glasses who are no longer what you’d call physically fit trotting out a pair of sticks to measure first downs,” he continued.
LMAOOOO the announcer absolutely EVISCERATED this dude on the chain gang
just running the chains out and caught a barrage of strays 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/MJPw8216Qo
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 10, 2024
It was at that point many started calling out Sandusky.
“Its not funny,” said Rich Eisen
“it was funny at first then he started making fun of the guy just trying to do his job.. i’d love to be able to sit on the sideline and be apart of the chain gang in the nfl for free,” another said
“Eagles or Ravens broadcast? Totally classless and ridiculous on his part,” a third commented.
No matter what your opinions are on the NFL still using chain gangs, it’s obvious that Gerry Sandusky went way too far.
NFL Likely To Move On From Chain Gang in Near Future
During this year’s preseason games, the NFL will use Hawk-Eye technology to measure first downs, which could potentially be implemented next year
The NFL will test Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology for measuring first downs during some preseason games, per @RobMaaddi. The NFL is believed to be moving closer to replacing the traditional sticks and chain method for measuring the line to gain.
The electronic system could be fully… pic.twitter.com/oU12ryFabn
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 31, 2024
If that does happen, it would create a more accurate and enjoyable product for everyone who watches the NFL.
