NFL Changes Videoboard Rules on Kicks After Patriots' Optical-Illusion Tactic Goes Viral
Home teams must now show the same All-22 angle or a static image for both kickers on field goals and extra points. The league said New England had been operating within the rules.
The NFL has told teams that stadium videoboards must show the same picture for both teams during field goal and extra point attempts, either the same All-22 camera angle or a static image. Until now, a home team could show one view for its own kicker and another for the visitor's.
What prompted the change?
On Sept. 1, Ryan Paganetti, a former analytics coach with the Eagles, Jaguars and Raiders, posted on X that the Patriots had shown a reverse All-22 view on the board behind the uprights during opposing kicks, which put a second set of goalposts in the kicker's sightline. The post drew nearly 17 million views. The league sent a memo to all 32 clubs on Sept. 7.
Were the Patriots punished?
No. The NFL confirmed New England acted within the rules as they were written. Under the new language, teams that show different displays for the two kicking units will face discipline, though the memo's specific penalties were not reported.
Sources
- ESPN: NFL changes rules governing videoboard displays during kicks
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