One commentator criticized the NFL’s outdated technology during last week’s preseason game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes, the NFL is an early implementation of Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology, but that won’t go into effect yet.
Late in the preseason showdown between the Ravens and Eagles last Friday, backup quarterback Tanner McKee tried to sneak a first down. It was close and the referees had to break out the chains for a final measurement.
This drew the ire of Ravens commentator Gerry Sandusky.
“That’s one of the things — when you watch the replay, you think about it,” Sandusky said. “We have the technology to put a GPS tracker on Mars. But we still use a bunch of older guys with sticks on the sideline to measure whether or not a ball carrier made a first down. Nothing against the older guys with sticks.”
“It just seems absurd that in a game where players have GPS trackers on their shoulder pads and where there are 19 different algorithms to measure everything in the NFL, we’re still using guys with glasses who are no longer what you would call physically fit and walking around with two sticks to measure first downs.”
“Each of them trots into an eye where they think the ball is and then marks it with their feet,” Sandusky added. “We’re not talking about surgical precision here.”
“In a game where players have GPS trackers on their shoulder pads, we’re still using guys with glasses who are no longer what you’d call physically fit, stomping around with a pair of bats to measure first downs.”
Gerry Sandusky is not interested in the convict column. pic.twitter.com/VwEZlfk4Bu
— Awful Announcement (@awfulannouncing) 10 August 2024
And while Sandusky didn’t like the convict gang, others didn’t like his comments.
Being so ugly and so ill-informed is quite a combination https://t.co/mN0kAKbj6p
– Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) 10 August 2024
Attack on the person; keep it classy Gerry. What if leading the convict gang is what these guys look forward to in their week/life? What if it stops him jumping off a building? We don’t know what they’re going through. They’d rather be replaced by a machine. Weak. https://t.co/irtmiCOn6U
— David Tukesbrey🎙 (@DavidTukesbrey) 10 August 2024
I find it disgusting that the @Ravens announcer @GerrySandusky would go to any lengths to humiliate another Ravens employee who was doing his job. I’ve done this job before. This is not something to make fun of. This was lowbrow. https://t.co/EDwb5Txdri
— Peter Schwartz (@SchwartzSports) 10 August 2024
It’s not funny.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) 10 August 2024
I didn’t see the game, but this seems unnecessary.
Why does Sandusky make fun of the looks of a guy who is just doing his job?
At least he doesn’t have some stupid slogan ready after every victory. https://t.co/azqZbpd03J
— Andy Snakovsky (@AndySnaks) 10 August 2024
Sandusky’s comments were not well received and he apologized a day later on his personal X account.
“On last night’s Ravens broadcast, I commented on the use of a convict crew instead of technology to take measurements,” Sandusky wrote. “I did not mean to disparage anyone. I apologize to the members of the convict crew for what I said. I know they are professionals doing important work.”
On the Ravens last night, I commented on the use of a convict gang instead of technology to take measurements. I did not mean to disparage anyone. I apologize to the members of the convict gang for what I said. I know they are doing important work as professionals.
— Gerry Sandusky (@GerrySandusky) 10 August 2024
Sandusky’s comments may have caused some outrage, but they were also a reminder of the human element that still exists even in the age of high-tech sports. He’ll likely be a little more vigilant the next time the convict gang is deployed at a Ravens game this season.
