Technology & Sports

Instant replay is not that new, even though it was removed from the NFL after complaints it slowed the pace of the game. New technology, however, has enabled instant replay to occur in a timely and efficient manner which helped return its presence to NFL games. A referee who erred on the coin toss in a Pittsburgh Steelers overtime game in 1998, a decision that wound up costing Pittsburgh the game, and other bad calls by referees which had an impact on the final scores of football games in 1998 had fans, players and coaches screaming for the return of instant replay. This year instant replay is once again a part of the NFL experience, albeit in a modified form from days of yore. Now, coaches are able to challenge three calls per game (except during the final two minutes of either half when only referees can challenge their own calls), and if the referees decided the replay is more accurate than the field call their decision is reversed. If the coach's challenge is rejected, the challenging coach's team loses a time out. Without a doubt, this move has completely changed the nature of officiating in the NFL, with referees being impact as much as any team or group of fans. However, though this issue has long been debated among those it affects (owners, coaches, players and the NFL commissioner), the debate has not been solved because of increasing bad calls or persuasive arguments. Instead, it has been solved because new technology all

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most to use it. There is one objective�get the calls right. Contrary to popular opinion, the use of technology doesn't slow the game, but nor is it omnipotent" (Looney 1). Referees should not be opposed to the use of technology and instant replay. While it may reverse some of their calls, people understand they are human and human perception is a flawed means of officiating in any activity. However, referees forget in their fears of being replaced by technology that technology is not a replacement for them or a means of humiliation. Instead, it is a means of enhancing their position and bringing additional input into decisions when a call is seriously questioned for its accuracy. Instant replay in the long run will actually help referees gain more credibility because it will enable them to have a more accurate track record of calls, even if some of those calls were only accurate after instant replay review. Referees use of instant replay also demonstrates that they recognize their own human fallibility and their cooperation in officiating with the greatest degree of accuracy instead of stonewalling efforts to achieve such a level. More importantly, the use of instant replay technology will help reduce the number of inacc

Category: Science - T