Communications system for the game of football including player-carried transmitter and side lines speakers for overcoming spectator noise

Abstract

A novel communications system for the game of football allows the quarterback to be heard by his teammates over crowd noise. The communications system comprises a plurality of loudspeakers positioned on opposite sidelines of the playing field in the approach to the goal lines at each end of the field, preferably between the 10 and 20 yard lines. The speakers are aimed or focused at ground level toward the players for selective use whenever the crowd noise is excessive as the team is approaching the goal line. A receiver and amplifier and appropriate circuits are associated with the speakers. A small microphone, transmitter and switch are carried by the quarterback, preferably on his helmet and the safety padding, i.e., shoulder pads. The quarterback may selectively operate the switch whenever the crowd noise becomes excessive to activate the transmitting and receiving equipment to his call of the plays to be transmitted from the microphone to the speakers which direct the calls along the surface to be heard by his teammates. The system is activated only for a short time, on demand by the quarterback, to allow his call of the plays to be heard by the team. The quarterback's calls emitted by the speakers are heard mainly at the level of the playing field and do not interfere with the fans enjoyment of the game.