How much is the NFL chain gang's salary in 2023?
In order to present a successful NFL game, there cannot be any kink in the chain, quite literally as well as figuratively. During the NFL Divisional Round between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants today, the game was stopped when the chain broke. It was called an administrative timeout before it was eventually sorted out and the game resumed with the Giants having the ball.
While they do not get the recognition they deserve, it brought into focus the importance of chain gangs in the NFL. Unlike other administrative staff like the referees, the chain gang is not appointed by the league. They belong to each individual team.
They get paid anywhere between $75 to $100 per game. Some teams may go below that as well. For example, the Baltimore Ravens were reported to pay $72 per game. Other teams, like the Buffalo Bills, who have to have their team work outdoors in cold winters often get paid by the hour. They can get close to $40 per hour and therefore earn more.
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Who make up the NFL chain gangs?
As mentioned before, chain gangs are not part of the league. Rather, they are part of the home team. They generally hire local colleges and high school officials in the area. Once hired, they may generally keep their place on the sidelines for many years and it might become something of a family occupation in some cases. Despite this being such a critical job, the NFL does not impose very strict conditions, even though there is always a chance of them being biased in favor of the home team.
Chain gangs generally have three members. One positions one end of the link at the original line of scrimmage. The other is put at the current line of scrimmage. The other person holds a pole, generally marked with a down number, in the yardage needed for the first down. The chain length is 10 yards, indicating the yardage needed to get the first down. This is why it is brought onto the field to see the ball's position when the ball is positioned close to getting a first down.
They will generally never be spoken about in a game. However, the chain malfunction in the divisional round today showed us why it is important to salute the work they do. With modern technology proliferating the NFL from microphones, tablets, modern helmets, and many other things, the chain remains a relic from a bygone era that even now remains crucial.