The XFL is back and fans are noticing something interesting about the game between the New York Guardians and Tampa Bay Vipers – specifically that a replay official uses an Xbox One controller to review game footage. This is WWE CEO Vince McMahon's second attempt to get the league off the ground after a disastrous first showing in the early part of the century. Now, his league is generating a lot of buzz for a very strange reason.
The XFL is very different from the NFL. Teams, for instance, don't use a kicker for extra points at all. They simply run a play from different distances to earn 1, 2, or 3 points. The league takes steps to make kickoffs safer, punting rules are different to encourage teams to go for fourth down instead of kicking the ball away, and overtime more closely resembles an NHL shootout than anything traditionally associated with football. Another major difference between the leagues is that the XFL promises complete transparency during the review process and one of the officials stood out because of just that.
In a video quickly making its way around social media, a conversation between the XFL review official and the referee can be seen. The play in question was ultimately ruled a completed catch and a fumble that resulted in New York taking possession of the ball. This might be huge news for either team's fans but the world is fascinated by the official's use of an Xbox controller to review the footage.
All in all, there is nothing strange about this. Modern professional video equipment often is compatible with Xbox controllers, which are used for volume leveling, camera zooming, and other functions that are quite simple with a controller. The Xbox One even has a built-in video editor. And, of course, most Xbox One controllers are compatible with the PC. So while it might seem odd to some that he used an Xbox controller, what he did was pretty standard.
Despite the completely normal use of the Xbox controller, people are having a lot of fun with this. Twitter is filled with jokes about playing Madden on the job. But ultimately, this level of transparency in replay review is a good thing – especially since coaches can't challenge referee decisions. No matter what he is using to review plays, this adds a level of integrity to the sport that the NFL sorely lacks.
Source: Twitter