When did the NFL start using the yellow first down line?
September 27, 1998
On September 27, 1998, Sportvision debuted its yellow first down marker on ESPN’s broadcast of the Ravens-Bengals game. Before that debut, however, the system was being tested on pre-season NFL games.
Can NFL Players see the yellow first down line?
No. Football players can not see that line. It is digitally inserted into the television carrier’s broadcast signal.
Who invented the yellow first down line in football?
Stan Honey
Stan Honey, Inventor of the 1st & 10 Yellow Line First Down Marker.
What does the yellow line in football mean?
The yellow line in football is the digital representation of the spot of the first down marker used on television to make watching a game easier. The line is a near exact measurement of the 10 yards needed to gain.
When did first down Become line to gain?
When an offence has a first down within 10 yards of the goal line, the goal line becomes the line to gain as they cannot make another first down (barring a defensive penalty) without actually scoring.
Who came up with the first down line?
Engineer Stan Honey helped the company Sportvision develop the yellow first down line that is now a staple of football telecasts. Meanwhile, the whole project was kept confidential. Neither we nor ESPN wanted to say anything in order to preserve the element of surprise.
How much does the first down line cost?
It could cost broadcasters anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 per game to put the yellow line on the field. Sportvision had to deploy a truck and a four-man crew with five racks of equipment. The cost has come down since then, and the process is now less labor-intensive.
How do football players know where the first down line is?
If you’re sitting in the end zone at a stadium, you have no way of knowing whether a team got a first down. If a football player knows exactly where the first down line is, he can tuck the ball when he gets close as opposed to stretching for a first down, or turning his head to look for a flag.
Who created first down line?
Creator of NFL’s yellow 1st-down line inducted to Inventors HOF. Stan Honey, the guy who invented the yellow first-down marker you see every time you turn on an NFL game, has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame with the Class of 2018.
What is a 1st down?
Definition of first down 1 : the first of a series of usually four downs (see down entry 5 sense 3a) in which a football team must net a 10-yard gain to retain possession of the ball. 2 : a gain of a total of 10 or more yards within usually four downs giving the team the right to start a new series of downs.
What is the first down line called?
The 1st down line in football is the yard line initially placed 10 yards away from the line of scrimmage for the team on offense.
What is the first down in football?
noun Football. the first of four consecutive plays during which an offensive team must advance the ball at least ten yards to retain possession of it. a gain of ten or more yards by an offensive team that entitles it to continued possession for a new series of downs.