Okay, so, today I want to talk about my experience with being part of a chain crew for football games. It’s not as easy as it looks, let me tell you!
First off, I got myself introduced to the other guys on the crew. I learned their names – there’s Big Mike, Speedy, and The Captain, as we call him. He’s the one in charge, the down-box operator guy. It’s important to know who you’re working with because you gotta work like a well-oiled machine out there.
Before the game even started, we went over the basics. We had to be ready to hustle, you know? No time for daydreaming when you’re on the chain crew. And following instructions from the Head Linesman? That’s like the golden rule. This guy’s the boss of the sidelines, and you better listen to what he says.
We also made sure we were on the same page about communication. We’re not there to chat with the visiting team or anyone else for that matter. We’re basically like silent, moving parts of the game, making sure the chains and the down marker are always where they should be.
- So, there’s at least three of us on a typical crew:
- The down-box operator, that’s The Captain.
- Two guys to hold the rods – that’s Big Mike and Speedy.
During the game, it’s all about staying focused. We had to move quickly and accurately every time the ball changed hands. We couldn’t just stand around – we were always on the move, following the play up and down the field.
And let me tell you, it’s a workout! I was sweating buckets out there, running back and forth. But it’s also a lot of fun, being right there in the middle of the action. You feel like you’re part of the game, even though you’re not actually playing.
We got a lot of praise from the Head Linesman throughout the game, which felt good. It’s nice to know you’re doing a good job, especially when it’s something as important as keeping track of the downs and the yardage. I heard somewhere that the average annual pay for a chain crew in the United States is around $187,673 a year. That’s good money, right?
By the end of the game, I was exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired. I felt like I had really accomplished something. Being on the chain crew is definitely a unique experience, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it. It’s something I’ll definitely remember. And who knows, maybe I’ll do it again sometime!
