The NFL is moving forward with their optical tracking system for yardage rulings this preseason with the potential for full-time implementation as early as the 2024 season. The league's competition committee approved the change in March, but the system would still need to be installed in every NFL stadium for functional regular season use. More AI taking jobs of good, hardworking, often inept Americans, and I won't stand for it!

Does having the exact ball position on the field make sense? Would this speed up NFL games slightly? Are poles connected to 10 yards of chains a lacking exact science?! Yes. Probably. Certainly. But! We cannot stand for this sensible change to the way we have always consumed football. The chain gang is classic and a perfect encapsulation of what we love about football. It's imperfect, it makes no sense, it's exciting. Removing the chain crew from NFL stadiums would rob us of moments like the index card,

Contradicting first down calls,

and whatever this was besides just funny.

Technology is great for a lot of things, and some of the improvements it has brought to football have been remarkable. But we need to hold on to some of the stupidity of our sports because those imperfections are what bring us together as fans. Please NFL, let's keep some of the dumb stuff.