NFL
The NFL has officially replaced the chain gang with a virtual measurement system, and fans don’t appear to be happy about it.
Earlier this year, the NFL announced they were going to use Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology to track the ball’s position on the field and measure first downs.
“Sony’s Hawk-Eye virtual measurement technology will serve as an efficient alternative to the process of walking chains onto the field and manually measuring whether 10 yards have been met after the official has spotted the ball. The chain crew will remain on the field in a secondary capacity.”
“Hawk-Eye, which will be deployed across all 30 NFL stadiums and the international venues hosting NFL games, consists of six 8K cameras for optical tracking of the position of the ball. The system is operated from the NFL’s Art McNally GameDay Central Officiating Center (AMGC) in New York and is integrated with the league’s existing replay system.”
The NFL debuted the Sony Hawk-Eye tech during the NFL’s Hall Of Fame game.
Fans immediately called for the return of the chain gang on social media after seeing the virtual measurement tech in action.
A virtual measurement??
BRING BACK THE CHAIN GANG pic.twitter.com/PdmEYAmmrw
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 1, 2025
I really don’t know how to feel about this…
The chain gang is an important part of football. Sad that they will be a thing of the past. pic.twitter.com/BoagwYe7bW
— Felix (@FightOnFelix) August 1, 2025