Okay, so I was digging into this whole “chain crew” thing in football the other day, and let me tell you, it’s more interesting than you might think. I mean, you see these guys on the sidelines all the time, but do you really know what they’re up to?
So, I started by watching a bunch of games, just to see the chain crew in action. They’re the ones who are holding those big sticks connected by a chain, right on the sideline. Turns out, that chain is exactly 10 yards long. Who knew, right?
Then I did some more digging into why they even have these guys. Turns out, they’re super important for figuring out first downs. They set up at the start of each set of downs. They hold one stick at the starting point and the other 10 yards away, marking where the team needs to get to for a first down.
I watched a couple of videos online to see how it all works in practice. When the ref needs a measurement, they bring the chain onto the field. The referee then uses the chain to see if the team made it to the first down marker. If a team gets a first down, the chain crew moves with the team, setting up for the next set of downs.
But here’s the kicker – I found out that these guys aren’t even full-time NFL employees or anything. Most of them are just local folks, often high school football staff, who get paid like $75 to $150 per game, although I read somewhere that the New York Jets were paying up to $150. Can you believe that? They’re right there, part of the action, but they’re basically just doing it as a side gig.
I got curious about what it takes to be on a chain crew, so I read some articles and watched some interviews with these guys. Turns out, it’s not as easy as it looks. They need to be precise, quick, and able to handle the pressure of being on the field during crucial moments of the game. One of the articles mentioned that there are usually three main people in a chain crew: one to handle the down box and two to hold the sticks.
What I learned:
- They’re precise: The chain is exactly 10 yards, and they need to set it up perfectly each time.
- They’re important: They help the refs make accurate calls about first downs.
- They’re not full-timers: Most of them are just regular folks doing it part-time.
- It’s not easy: They need to be quick, accurate, and able to handle pressure.
After all this digging around, I’ve got a whole new appreciation for the chain crew. They’re like the unsung heroes of the game, making sure everything runs smoothly and fairly. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it, right? Next time you watch a game, keep an eye out for them – they’re the ones making sure the game is played by the rules.
