NCAA approves Gallaudet’s use of 5G-connected helmet for deaf quarterbacks
The NCAA has given full approval for Gallaudet’s football team to use a helmet designed for players who are deaf or hard of hearing for the remainder of the season.
The helmet developed by Gallaudet University and AT&T debuted last year with the team getting the chance to play one game with it. The Bison won that day after opening 0-4, and it was the start of a three-game winning streak.
The technology involved allows a coach to call a play on a tablet from the sideline that then shows up visually on a small display screen inside the quarterback’s helmet.
“We’re trying to improve the game, and with us, we’re trying to figure out ways to level the playing field for our guys,” Gallaudet coach Chuck Goldstein told the Associated Press in a phone interview. “We’re still in the trial phase. One game was a small sample size, and it was all built up for that one shot. Now as we go forward, we’re learning a lot about different hiccups and things that are coming down that we weren’t aware of last year.”
One hiccup is Gallaudet will not be using the helmet in its home opener Saturday, Goldstein said, because the Nos 1 and 2 quarterbacks were injured last week and there was not enough time to get another fitted with practice time to feel comfortable implementing it. His hope is to have it ready for the next home game on campus in Washington DC on 28 September.
