NFL 1st down measurement

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by yaztnj2000

Watched Steelers / Browns game. Measurement for 1st down was done and nose of the ball was short of the pole but past the last chain link. Officials signaled 1st down. Announcers made the typical big stink about it.

Is it the chain links or the pole that is the standard from measurements for 1st down?

If it's the chain, call Solomon Wilcots so he'll shut up about it.

Thanks

I saw that too, and figured out that it was a bad camera angle. The camera was not looking across the field at the ball, but looking down the field. The nose of the ball just passed the pole.