---
title: 'This NFL Tech is Hidden in Plain Sight'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=XUdic3Mwd2k'
video_id: 'XUdic3Mwd2k'
date: 2026-08-28
duration_sec: 114
channel: 'Marques Brownlee'
---

# This NFL Tech is Hidden in Plain Sight

> Source: [This NFL Tech is Hidden in Plain Sight](https://youtube.com/watch?v=XUdic3Mwd2k)

## Summary

This video explains the hidden technology in NFL helmets that allows coaches to communicate with players during games. It details the components of the in-helmet speaker system, the visual cues like the green sticker, and the safety cutoff mechanism.

### Key Points

- **Coach-to-Player Communication** [00:01] — Coaches wear headsets with microphones and can talk to one offensive or one defensive player during play calling.
- **Helmet Tech Components** [00:27] — Helmets contain speakers near the ears, an encrypted receiver, and a battery lasting about 6.5 hours, sufficient for an entire NFL game.
- **Identifying the Receiver** [00:53] — A small green sticker on the back of the helmet indicates which player is receiving the coach's transmission—typically the quarterback on offense and a lineman on defense.
- **Coach-to-Player Interface Box** [01:06] — A black tech cart near the 50-yard line houses the coach-to-player interface box, which transmits the encrypted signal and turns green when active.
- **Safety Cutoff Mechanism** [01:20] — If the play clock drops below 15 seconds, a person in the press box can cut the signal using a cutoff box, ensuring communication stops before the snap.

### Conclusion

The video reveals the intricate technology behind NFL helmet communication, emphasizing how it enhances gameplay while maintaining safety through automatic cutoff features.

## Transcript

going to see is a headset on a coach's head like that with a mic in their face talking with their hand on their waist. What's happening is a coach is allowed to talk to either one offensive or one defensive player as they call plays.
>> You got me on that, Matthew. All right, Matthew, let's do this. You got me on >> And their hand is on a little belt pack as they hold down a button and transmit to a speaker directly in that player's helmet. So, yeah, these helmets do have
tech built into them. It's kind of hard to see and this is an older helmet design, but there are speakers actually inside of this helmet. So, this is the entire tech package that's got to fit inside of one of these helmets. Pretty
them at each ear, so they can hear clearly. This is the receiver, and it's receiving an encrypted signal that only they can hear. And this is the battery, which should last about 6 and 1/2 hours, which is plenty for an entire NFL game.
they've ever made this whole tech package. Hopefully the player doesn't notice. Anytime you want to know which player is receiving the transmission from the coach, you'll have to look for this little green sticker on the back of
quarterback on offense relaying the call and a lineman on defense. Now, if you really have eagle eyes, then around the 50 yardd line, you'll see a black tech cart which has this box on it. This is the coachto player interface box, and
encrypted signal. So when the coach gives that play call, it turns green. less than 15 seconds left on the play clock. So there's someone in the press
box with this cut off box with a button on it. So if the coaches are still talking to the players at 15 seconds, they can cut that signal and it turns always a lot of tech going on out there, but now you know exactly what's
happening. So next time you watch an NFL broadcast, you'll spot that stuff.