Technology in Football is Changing, and We are Here for It

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In Alabama, one doesn’t have to argue too much about football being the best sport ever. “Alabama or Auburn?” is a question that requires zero explanation, and “Roll Tide!” or “War Eagle!” are perfectly acceptable greetings. Weddings are planned around football schedules, and everyone understands that scheduling anything important during game time is asking for it. Alabama knows football. It could be argued that this great state owns football these days, but that’s a pot we won’t stir here.

Tradition. Whatever team holds your loyalty, part of what gets your blood pumping is the sheer aspect of tradition. Alabama fans belt out “Rammer Jammer” after each win, and Auburn fans gather at Toomer’s Corner to roll the trees. The Million Dollar Band takes over Bryant-Denney Stadium, and the eagle soars over Jordan-Hare. This is the stuff that runs deep, the things parents delight in showing and teaching their own kids as they raise them to love the team that has their heart. It’s magical, and it’s part of what makes football almost sacred in the Heart of Dixie.

While there is much of football we wouldn’t dare change (Anyone remember when a certain stadium tried to carry Pepsi products instead of Coke?), there are other aspects where changes are taking place, and we can’t get enough. Right now football is being made even better due to innovations in technology that we are here to welcome with open arms. 

Helmets

Did you know tech companies are getting in on helmet development to make football better? The reliability and performance of helmets has become an important topic, and it’s a win-win when brilliant minds make it an area of focus. Players get better equipment, and those of us who love the sport get to see more young men play as they trust the products developed to keep them healthy.

74% of NFL players now use advanced helmets, as opposed to 41% in 2017. Advanced helmets are now available in youth sports as well, which is great news for those of us whose kids want to play. It’s mind-blowing how studying all of this happens. Did you know Virginia Tech has a helmet lab where they run dozens of tests on each piece of equipment that comes their way? (If you’re curious, their youth helmet recommendation is the Vicis ZERO1, and they ran forty-eight tests to reach that conclusion. Here’s the article.) Advances in helmet technology are top-of-mind for organizations at every level of football, and amazing things are happening.

Mouthguards

Smart mouthguards can provide data on the force of impact from a hit. Football is being made better by all of this data gathering that lets everyone behind the scenes know how to best care for players. Things are becoming measurable now, and when things are measurable, advances can be made.

Cleats

You may not think much about cleats, but the NFL does. Their shoe-testing machine The Beast measures how much force it takes to release different cleat patterns from a turf surface. Why does that matter? Well, cleats have a huge impact on lower limb injuries in football, so understanding cleats means understanding how to keep players healthy. In fact, the NFL partnered with a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia to study it all, and the implications will be huge. It’s a great time to be in football!

There are few things that do to a Southerner what football does. The camaraderie, the fashion, the tailgating, the gathering of families, and so much more are all part of the game we love. It’s encouraging that the sport that has provided us so much is better than it’s ever been. We can all give a big, “Roll Tide!” or “War Eagle!” to news like that.

For more information on the good of the game of football, getting your child involved, and more, check out Football Matters.

Football Matters sponsored this post; opinions are those of Birmingham Moms Blog.