Awful Announcing

NFL Hawk-Eye technology is off to a rough start

VAR is essentially coming to the NFL.
A first look at the NFL's trial of Hawk-Eye technology for first-down measurement. Credit: NFL on Fox
NFLBy Sam Neumann on

The NFL is ushering in a new era of officiating by introducing Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology during the preseason. And Thursday provided the first look at the NFL taking a step closer to replacing the hilariously outdated “chain gang.”

Hawk-Eye technology is revolutionizing officiating in professional sports. Sony’s Hawk-Eye system is already being introduced to the NBA to improve out-of-bounds and goaltending calls. The NFL is poised to follow suit, with Sony’s Hawk-Eye system expected to replace the traditional chain gang next season. While full implementation may be delayed, the league is actively working to integrate this advanced technology.

And that was on full display during Thursday’s Detroit Lions-New York Giants preseason game at MetLife Stadium.

With the Giants up 7-3 with seven minutes and change remaining in the second quarter, the Hawk-Eye technology was used to measure a potential first down. Lions backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld connected with wide receiver Tom Kennedy on 3rd and 5, but it was ruled that the 28-year-old Kennedy was short of the yard to gain.

It was roughly three and a half minutes from the end of the play to the beginning of the next play.

Then, Sudfeld was stuffed on fourth down.

You have to imagine there were some first-time issues with this, too, but that didn’t appear to convince Phil Simms, who bemoaned the review’s length.

“Are we going to use it if it takes this long?” asked Simms, who is doing some preseason games for the Giants on local affiliates.

Simms’ feedback echoed the sentiment of many viewers, as fans took to social media to express their frustration with the lengthy review process.

While the initial rollout wasn’t flawless, it’s a sign of the NFL’s commitment to improving officiating accuracy. Time will tell if Sony’s Hawk-Eye can become a seamless part of the game, balancing precision with maintaining the fast-paced nature of football.

[Awful Announcing]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann
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