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How Football Officials Know When To Call A “TV TIME OUT”
How NFL TV Timeouts Were Handled Early On…
Back in the 50s and 60s, televised pro football had what were called “hat men” on the sidelines. They were connected by headphone to the director and here, from the Washington Evening Star, is an October 8, 1963 article on what their job was. Thanks to Maureen Carney for the image. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
Was sideline SM for a college game years ago. My problem I was on a wired headset nailed down at the 15 yard line and almost all the action was at the far end of the field. I flapped the red had as much as I could to get the ref’s attention. Of course, the truck had put an extra time out into first quarter and that pissed the refs.
People in the stands are a tad confused at times but at home watching TV they are clueless.
Isn’t this how it is still handled? I knew 2 people who were assigned as a ‘Red Cap’ for Buffalo Bills games in the past. Besides the cap, one used day glow red gloves for signaling the Referee for time outs.
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