NCAA approves helmet communications for FBS
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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
College football is adding helmet communication for FBS games, two-minute timeouts at the end of each half and other changes approved this week by the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel.
Games featuring FBS teams will give each the option of using coach-to-player communications through the helmet of one player on the field, designated with a green dot on the midline of his helmet. Several teams used helmet communications during the most recent bowl season, but it will now be an option for every game in the sport’s top division.
Coach-to-player communication will be shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or the snap of the ball — whichever comes first. The NFL and other levels of football, including some high school associations, have long used helmet communication to signal in plays. FBS coaches had discussed implementing the technology for several years but the NCAA Football Rules Committee didn’t propose it until March. Concerns about cost, logistics and the liability and warrantees of helmets that would be modified contributed to the delay in college football.
The topic gained added focus after the NCAA began investigating Michigan for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate signal-stealing system. Georgia coach Kirby Smart, the rules committee co-chair, and others have said they still expect many teams to use hand signals and signs to relay plays.
Teams in all football divisions also will have the option of using tablets to view in-game video. Up to 18 tablets will be distributed on the sideline, locker room and coaches’ booths to study the game broadcast feed as well as camera angles from a team’s sideline and end zone. The tablets can be viewed by all team personnel but cannot connect to other devices, project larger images or provide data and analytics.
The NCAA panel also approved automatic timeouts with two minutes left in the second and fourth quarters, akin to the NFL’s two-minute warning. The timeouts will not be additional television timeouts. All timing rules will be synchronized, including 10-second runoffs and stopping the clock when a first down is gained inbounds.
New rules will allow conferences to all use collaborative replay review. Also, horse-collar tackles within the tackle box will result in a 15-yard penalty. Previously, no fouls had been called for such tackles within the tackle box.
The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Michael King on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of left knee inflammation.
King (4-2, 2.81 ERA) had just come off the IL on Saturday, allowing two runs in as many innings of a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
It was his first start since May 18 as he dealt with shoulder inflammation.
Now, he’s back on the IL with a knee issue in a move retroactive to Monday.
It’s a setback for a red-hot Padres team, who will carry a five-game winning streak into a weekend showdown against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. First-place San Diego is one game ahead of L.A. in the NL West.
King had been scheduled to start the series opener Friday.
In the corresponding roster move, the Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.
While the Milwaukee Brewers keep on rolling, another Wisconsin business is stocking up on beef and buns.
For the third time in its history, George Webb Restaurants will make good on its promise of giving away free hamburgers as part of a longstanding promotion to celebrate the Brewers winning 12 consecutive games.
The free burger giveaway will be held Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at all 23 of the restaurant’s locations throughout Wisconsin. Vouchers for a burger at a later date will be available at all locations starting Friday.
“Hungry fans are welcome to stop by any location for a free, juicy burger and some camaraderie with fellow baseball fans,” the restaurant said on its website.
Starting way back in the 1940s, when Milwaukee was home to the minor league Brewers of the old American Association, George Webb promised free burgers if the local baseball team won 17 consecutive games.
The promotion dropped to 13 games by the time the Braves made Milwaukee a big league city in 1953, but that franchise couldn’t make it happen before departing for Atlanta in 1966.
George Webb changed the promotion to 12 games when the Brewers moved from Seattle in 1970. In 1987, the Brewers opened the season with 13 wins in a row, and more than 170,000 burgers were given away to mark the occasion.
The Brewers accomplished the feat a second time in 2018, closing the regular season with eight victories followed by four playoff wins. That streak led to 90,000 free burgers being given away in addition to 100,000 redeemable vouchers.
Prior to reaching the magic mark on Wednesday, the Brewers had come close on a few occasions, including an 11-game winning streak earlier this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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