Comments on: How do they make the first down line appear on the football field during a game?

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:49:10 +0000

I’ve been curious of this for a while also. Thanks for your post and excellent explanation. It’s definitely more complicated than I thought though!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:41:39 +0000

Thanks! I’ve wondered about this for a long time. The guys I’ve asked just take it for granted, but I wanted to know how they did that. Now I know my answer.

By: nfl rumors

nfl rumors — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:24:08 +0000

Yo what was he thinking, that’s nuts

By: lena

lena — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:14:52 +0000

it’s eye black, it reduces the glare/reflection from the sunlight or bright stadium lights so the player can focus on the ball or players.

foot ball isn’t the only sport that uses it, several othe sports use it, but it’s also widely used in Major League Baseball

some players have now gone as far as putting short phrases on them as well which is really somethin that I don’t see the need for, because it seems like it’s defeating the purpose.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:06:31 +0000

George –
no, but there are the big orange bulls-eye things being held by people on the sides that show the players where the first down is. Technically, they are called “markers”. Look at the yellow line and follow it to the sides, you can usually catch a peek of the marker and holder-guy!
The point is to reach for the 1st down line, so I would assume that is why they seem to be reaching for it. Because they are.
:)
Happy Playoffs!
Go Arizona, Go New York!

By: george

george — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:45:58 +0000

does the player know where the yellow line is?

It looks like they are reaching for it.

By: erin

erin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:34:14 +0000

i work with layers in film and i could not figure out how they chroma keyed the whole field, that 3d information just blew my mind!

awesome!!!

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:47:38 +0000

THANK YOU!!! How this was done has been bugging me for two years, since I started dating again. Even the guys who are “real” football fans couldn’t tell me how the graphics were projected on the screen. Of course, they really only care about which team has the ball. But, they have simple minds that are easily entertained…witness the popularity of wrestling! (Can you explain that??)

Thanks again.

By: kenneth gallant

kenneth gallant — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:44:51 +0000

Wonderfully explained and timely–I’ve been hunting feverishly to get this answer for my nephews. Now I want to know how and if Eye Black under athletes eyes works–I’ll keep at it.

thanks

By: molly

molly — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:37:36 +0000

…totally interesting, completely random — way to throw something new into the science story coffer.