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Travis Kelce mocks NFL’s Hawk-Eye system with Jason backing him in a brutally honest discussion

Travis Kelce mocks NFL’s Hawk-Eye system with Jason backing him in a brutally honest discussion

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 11, 2025, 08:14 IST

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NFL's decision to introduce Sony's Hawk-Eye technology for first-down measurements has stirred debate, particularly highlighted by Jason and Travis Kelce on their podcast. They questioned whether the move, set for the 2025 season, is genuinely about improving accuracy or simply a corporate endorsement, especially after a controversial call in the AFC Championship game.

Travis Kelce mocks NFL’s Hawk-Eye system with Jason backing him in a brutally honest discussion

Credit: Getty Images

The NFL’s decision to ditch the traditional chain crew and usher in Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology for measuring first downs has sparked mixed reactions—but none quite as raw or revealing as those shared by Jason and Travis Kelce. On their latest New Heights podcast episode, the Kelce brothers dug into the controversial change, and things got hilariously heated—especially when the conversation veered into what this move might really be about.

Kelce brothers slam NFL’s Hawk-Eye deal: First-down tech or corporate PR play?

The new tech, which is set to debut in the 2025 season, promises enhanced precision using a camera-based virtual measurement system, something sports like tennis and cricket have relied on for years. But according to the Kelces, the timing and branding of the change raise more questions than answers—especially in the wake of one specific moment from last season.
That infamous play happened during the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. With a crucial fourth-and-1 at Kansas City’s 41-yard line, Josh Allen went for a quarterback sneak. While replays appeared to show Allen’s body across the line, the placement of the ball—buried deep in a pile of players—led to differing opinions from officials. The call on the field stood: no first down. Buffalo turned it over, and the Chiefs capitalized with a touchdown on the next drive.

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That moment still haunts Bills fans—and Jason Kelce believes it’s the very reason the NFL introduced this new tech. “Everyone is jumping to the conclusion, the Bills game against you guys. Where it looked like Josh Allen was ahead of the first down marker,�?Jason said. His younger brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, pushed back hard: “I don’t think it looked like it. You could only assume that where the ball was in his arm, that it may have, but you couldn’t tell exactly.�?br/>Jason, undeterred, insisted, “All I’m saying is that this rule is here, by and large, because of that play.�?Travis, in classic fashion, wasn’t buying the official explanation and dropped a theory that had Jason spiraling into laughter and disbelief: “I think this is just a big Sony endorsement. I think everybody’s going to be talking about Sony hawk-eye virtual measurement system, and this is just a big plug for Sony.�?br/>Jason’s agreement was unexpectedly blunt. “You’re 1000 percent right,�?he said. “There’s no f--ing way it would be called the Sony Hawk-Eye system unless Sony paid out the ass.�?His frustration wasn’t about the tech, but how the NFL was selling it. “Just say it’s a virtual measuring system. Don’t f--ing sell me Sony.�?br/>

While the league claims the upgrade is all about improving “accuracy, consistency and efficiency,�?the Kelce brothers made one thing clear—this move feels more like a brand deal than a response to officiating controversy. And with the NFL already facing fan suspicions of being overly scripted, attaching a corporate label to an in-game decision system only fans the flames.
“Sorry, NFL, didn’t mean to blow your cover,�?Travis quipped with a smirk, perfectly summing up the skepticism many fans now share.
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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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