NFL Gamedays: 10 things you may not know go on during every game

The National Football League is a billion-dollar industry. On game day, there are tons of people who are involved or work the game beyond the concession workers, parking attendants, or beer hawkers.

Things have to be in order for every game to go on without turmoil and run smoothly so that patrons of the game will return and have a good time.

Here are 10 things that happen each and every game that you may or may not know occurs, but if you look, they are there in plain sight.

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1. Stadium clock secret

All stadiums have a scoreboard. At any time, fans, coaches, and players can look up and see how much time is left on the scoreboard’s clock.

Actually, this is not the case. The reality is that the clock is for display purposes only.

Photo by Al Paloczy/The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images/Getty Images

At all times, the clock is unofficial time. The actual time is kept on the field on the wrist of the referee who is the head official. When did this begin? It always has actually. This is something that was handed down from American Football’s history and originated from soccer and was also used by rugby. Soccer and rugby stadiums also have game clocks displayed, but again, it is unofficial. The first clocks installed were manufactured by the French company Longines.

The time is kept on the center referee’s wrist. American Football simply adopted the practice.

During a game, you may notice the referee telling the scoreboard operator to add or erase some time because that measure is for information purposes only.

2. NFL shields

During an actual game, there are 68 NFL shields displayed on the field itself.

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

On every play, there are 22 guys on the field. Each player has a shield on their helmet plus one on the front of their jersey. That’s 44. There are seven officials which all have a shield on the front right of their pants, one on their front left chest, plus center of their caps. Another 21. There is a shield painted on both 25-yard lines. Finally, there is a secluded NFL shield sticker attached to the communication pack attached to the referee’s belt.

There are more NFL shields displayed on the sidelines, just not on the field itself.

3. Flags and pylons

In the origins of American Football, there weren’t any end zones until they were added in 1912. In 1940, red flags were installed to mark the goal line and the back corners of the end zone. This idea came from soccer so that the referee could determine if the ball went inside or outside of the flag so the correct call could be made of a goal/corner kick or a throw-in.

These 18” x 18” flags installed in NFL stadiums were about three feet tall on a short pole that stood on flexible rods or springs that would bend upon impact. But there were lots of issues.

For one, occasionally a player would become injured when landing on the stake at a bad angle. Secondly, the flag itself was considered out-of-bounds so if a runner touched the flag itself that was blowing inside the playing field, the runner was called down. If the ball carrier was in his own end zone and trying to get out safely but touched the flag blowing towards the field, a safety was awarded.

That changed in 1966 when pylons were installed to replace the flags.

Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images

Bud Shopbell was an automotive engineer during the week and a football official on weekends. He worked on a solution to the flag issue and invented the pylon. In his U.S. patent #3371647, he called them “Athletic Field Markers” which had a solid anchor inserted into the ground with a flexible padded square made of polyfoam attached to each goal line and the corner of each end zone. The final product came orange in color to stand out.

This year in the NFL, you may have noticed a larger orange pylon on both sides of the goal line that sits center of the six-foot-wide white field border. This is a C360 pylon cam that provides video feeds on the field.

C360’s cameras capture 210-degree views of the field, a departure from more limited viewpoints of the past. Once that footage is ingested, an operator uses C360’s software to toggle to their desired viewpoint and timestamp to deliver airable replay footage to their broadcast partners.

LINK: COSM MEDIA/C360

The first C360 pylon cams first appeared on ESPN five years ago.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

It should be noted that the NFL’s use of flags is a hand-me-down from soccer. Traditionally, linesmen have used red and yellow flags for various functions. That is why American Football uses yellow flags for officials and red flags for coach’s challenges along with the flags that adorned the end zone at one time.

4. Television aids

There are several indicators that are part of the game installed just for the television viewer. Every 10-yard increment is painted on the field. On the inside of each set of yard numbers is an arrowhead. This displays to the TV audience which direction the nearest goal line is which assists the viewer in which direction the team with the ball is moving.

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

Player jerseys also have something attached for the TV viewer. Each player has a jersey number on the front and back, which has been a standard since the 1920s. But on each sleeve or shoulder is a small jersey number. These are referred to as “TV numbers.” These have two functions.

One, while the game is going on, a spotter in the upstairs booth has to identify players on each play and keep stats correctly such as the correct tackler. Also, this helps the spotter of the television and radio broadcast crews to properly assist the announcers. Plus, the TV audience can see which players are involved in a pileup.

Currently, 23 NFL clubs wear the TV numbers on the shoulders, three teams display them on the sleeves, four do not wear the numbers at all while two, the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, wear the numbers on one set of jerseys and omit the digits on another ensemble.

5. The K-Ball

Kickers and punters despise brand-new footballs mainly because of the slickness of the outer surface. These balls are stiff with absolutely no pliable components at all. It used to be that kickers/punters would locate the game balls before the game and attempt to doctor them to make them more broken in before game time. They rubbed the ball with the palm of their hand, scrapped it on the ground, or even scratched it with some sort of foreign substance such as sandpaper, then maybe the ball will be more likely to fly straighter.

Because after all, kickers and punters are all gauged on statistics. These numbers are what keeps them employed – or not.

For every game, each team must provide the game officials brand new game balls two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff. How many balls? For an indoor venue, it is 30. A game played in outdoor environs that escalates to 54 footballs. Each football must be properly pumped up prior to handing them over to the officials with an air pressure of between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds. It is the official’s job to inspect each ball for any defects, check for correct air pressure in each ball, and then imprint a mark specifically for that particular game which signifies that each football has passed inspection and is game-ready.

This not only lets the head referee know that this entire process was done properly, but it eliminates the possibility of any practice balls or altered footballs somehow get inserted into the bunch. After years of discussing what to do, in 1999, the NFL came up with a new kicking invention: they christened the K-Ball.

The league instigated the use of the K-Ball citing the unaltered surface area of each ball would be fair for both teams on game day. The reason this was put in place was to prevent teams from doctoring balls for kicking.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The K-Ball has a special “K” mark on each ball – thus its name. Six new K-Balls are shipped directly to the referee of each game and then the seal is broken in the officials’ locker room exactly two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. After the seal is broken at the stadium, the air is checked and distributed to each team’s equipment manager just before kickoff.

The home club is responsible for supplying five ball attendants for each game. One of these individuals is responsible for the K-Balls during the game. The league hires a K-Ball monitor to keep an eye on these balls during the flow of the game so that they aren’t mixed in with the actual game balls. All six K-Balls are numbered.

6. Media stuff

For the media on game day, all credentials must be approved and issued by the team they are covering. Seats upstairs in the press box are supplied with in-game meals. Photographers are issued laminated badges attached to lanyards and are allowed only on the field and later in the locker room. These badges contain a number that is displayed prominently on the front which corresponds with the NFL game week. Photographers are assigned a quadrant of the sidelines and are not allowed anywhere but inside their own zone which is identified with yellow painted dashes. This eliminates overcrowding. There is an unwritten rule that while on the sideline if the play on the field begins to head towards you, immediately start to backpedal.

Set Number: X24725 TK5 R2 F24

Pressbox media are only allowed in their assigned seat in the press box. With five minutes remaining on the game clock, press box media can go down onto the sidelines and enter the field and inside both locker rooms after the game is concluded. Shortly after the final seconds have ticked off, outside of both locker rooms a makeshift “studio” is set up with a backdrop in which both coaches hold a press conference to discuss the game. The media and photographers can ask questions and record the event.

This takes about 20 minutes. While the coaches are engaged with the presser, the media is not allowed inside the locker room. The reason is that all of the equipment and uniforms are being boxed up in crates. As soon as this is accomplished, the locker rooms are open to the media. This prevents sticky fingers. Later, another press conference is available in two designated rooms in which selected players from both teams make an appearance in a more formal setting. Some players have already showered and dressed whereas others arrive still in some portion of their uniform.

7. Uniform cops

The NFL is very aware of their brand. Little to no drama is their quest.

On both sidelines during a game, there are designated uniform cops. These are former players hired by the league to maintain a consistent appearance with how players are presented. This means jerseys must be tucked in at all times, socks have certain criteria, no personal messages can be displayed during the game, sponsor logos must be visible, and items such as wrist and head sweatbands can only have certain logos displayed.

When a member of the uniform patrol is aware of an infraction, he approaches the player and informs him of how to correct it. Usually that occurs without an issue. If the player refuses or takes his time in doing so, the uniform cop makes a note on his tablet and then the player receives a letter during the week along with a fine. If it happens again, the player’s fine is much greater plus a note stating he will not be allowed to participate in any NFL game until the correction is made.

Non-approved cleats and personal messages on clothing can be worn during pregame warmups, but once the initial kickoff has commenced, the uniform cops take over. For Browns home games this responsibility goes to Felix Wright and Reggie Langhorne.

LINK: REGGIE LANGHORNE INTERVIEW

8. Weather-controlled benches

When a player exits the field, he usually heads to the bench for some needed rest. Most stadiums are equipped to assist the athlete with some comfort.

The temperature-controlled benches, used by the NFL, are designed to maximize player safety and comfort. The hybrid fiberglass benches feature both heat and cooling, as well as a warm place for players to stand, hang their helmets, and some muscle conditioning.

Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

These heated and cooled stadium seats were invented by Frank Floyd, Jr. of Dragon Seats located in Beachwood, Ohio.

Floyd began his business by selling building space heaters for construction sites with portable kerosene heaters that would blow extremely hot air outwards. He had sold some to the Cleveland Browns who told him he following season they wanted their players to be able to rest and sit down on something instead of being huddled around a portable machine. Floyd went to work on a design that is now a stadium mainstay across North America.

He designed a fiberglass seat 12 feet long and strong enough to hold 300-pound men. The church pew design can hold up to 6-8 athletes and features both heat and air conditioning. The Browns bought enough for both sidelines. Once visiting teams arrived and experienced the luxury of the seats, they ordered a set of their own. Now, 19 NFL clubs and 75 college teams have them.

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady asked the company to include an attachment that would warm the helmet when not in use. This is also a standard now. There is a tube that comes up with a bulb attached that allows the helmet to rest properly. On cold days, a slight warming sensation travels into the helmet to not only thaw it slightly but eliminate any water that has accumulated.

At the base of the bench is a standing pad with lots of aeration holes. The purpose of this mat is to emit warm air for players who are wearing capes on cold days. By standing on the pad, it shoots warm air straight up under the cape.

The benches are heated by a 120-volt portable heater and clean-burning natural gas or propane, which gradually warms the bench to a comfortable temperature. The benches also come with built-in rolling casters which make them easy to move or stored away. Team logos and colors are also available.

9. Football field logos

Have you ever looked at a multi-colored logo on a football field and asked how this was accomplished?

For starters, it is not an easy procedure and a process for the layout.

Two types of painters can be used to paint a field – one dispenses aerosol paint and the other applies latex paint. Aerosol painters are common in recreational fields. According to Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker, a company that specializes in field marking supplies, 70 to 100 gallons of paint are needed to paint a full-size football field including all lines, end zone lettering, and the midfield logo. A minimum of three people is usually needed.

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Compressor-driven or “airless” painters use latex paint typically sold in 5-gallon buckets. The paint is diluted and mixed with water prior to use at rates such as one, two, or three parts water to one part paint. The water-based paints are used in order to not destroy the grass.

With the logo, a stencil is utilized. String lines are used to center the stencil along a parallel line with the sidelines. Tent stakes are then used to secure the stencil through grommets.

With multiple colors, the entire logo is painted white first. This allows full coverage of the colors used, provides a solid base coat, and helps each color stand out. Different colors can be free-handed or applied by covering up sections of the template after the paint has fully cured, and then spraying the new sections until all colors have been put on. Overpainting is an issue because it can damage the grass. Overspray’s are eliminated with a towel and water and wiped clean.

Darker colors tend to remain on the grass longer because the sun does not break down the paint as easily. In addition to common paints that can be bought at any hardware or paint store, there are paints manufactured specifically for playing fields such as Game Day, Brite Stripe, and Quik Stripe for natural grass and GameLine, ExtremeLine, and Titan Extreme for synthetic surfaces.

10. Netting

Do you know where the back nets are on an NFL field? These are installed right behind each slingshot goalpost when field goals and point-after-tries (PAT) are attempted.

Photo by David Madison/Getty Images

In college football, balls that go into the crowd are thrown back onto the field. In the NFL, however, the balls become souvenirs for fans. The league wanted to stop losing so many game balls so they had kicking nets installed in every stadium.

First, two vertical poles are installed with pulleys and ropes attached to the top of each pole. The netting is then easily hoisted up when needed and prevents balls from being lost. Each Wilson “The Duke” leather game ball retails for $170 and more for playoff balls that are custom imprinted with game logos. A player is fined $7,649 for tossing a ball into the stands and $13,113 for repeat offenders.

All fines collected by the NFL are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which supports legends in need, or the NFL Foundation, which supports the health, safety, and wellness of athletes across all levels.

The NFL has on hand 30 footballs for indoor venues and 54 footballs for outdoor stadiums plus six K-balls. It may be assumed that there couldn’t be any way the game could lose that many balls, but it does so the league decided they needed to stop the tradition of letting PAT and field goal attempts to simply go home with lucky patrons.

The most famous contest was the 1940 NFL Championship Game where the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins by a lopsided score of 73-0. Into the fourth quarter, so many footballs were lost into the crowd that Bears head coach George Halas instructed his center and long snapper Frank Bausch to start making bad snaps for the ensuing PAT to which the center refused stating he had never made a bad pass in his career and wasn’t going to start with this game. Halas then instructed the holder to begin muffing the snaps.