First Down Marker Magic

Yep, there’s a lot of science behind getting a first down in football.

But to be clear we’re NOT talking about the aerodynamics of the forward pass to the measurement of forces when two bodies combine.

We’re talking about what you see when you watch a game on television.

What appears on TV screens today as if by magic, is a complex technology considered groundbreaking in 1998 when it was introduced on September 27, 1998, during ESPN's broadcast of the Ravens-Bengals football game.

The idea had been talked about since the 1970’s, but nobody had figured how to insert, on live television, a virtual line that appeared to be under the player’s feet as if it were painted on grass.

Now, Durham, NC based SMT technologies adds the yellow line thousands of times every weekend for college and professional football games. The company adds many other virtual enhancements to broadcasts of many other sports as well.

SMT engineers opened their playbook to Sci NC (sorry, couldn’t help but use a sports reference) to show us how they do it. Watch the story here:

SCI NC

The team behind the first down line graphic

Meet the team that developed the science and technology needed to create the iconic first down marker you see on TV!

PBS North Carolina and Sci NC appreciate the support of The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.