NFL CHANGED FIRST-DOWN RULES AFTER SUPER BOWL CHAMPION'S DEVASTATING INJURY AND $2.5 MILLION LAWSUIT

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The NFL will use a HawkEye system to measure first downs in 2025. State-of-the-art technology replaced the famous 'chain gang' that had been wandering the sidelines for decades in the Hall of Fame Game - and fans weren't happy.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY REPLACES TRADITIONAL CHAINS

Modern supporters have grown accustomed to the padded bright orange poles separated by a thin chain. But back in the early 70s, the markers were solid steel poles with spikes on the end that were rammed into the ground to pin the chains down.

Disaster struck in 1972 when star Baltimore Colts defensive end Bubba Smith suffered a catastrophic leg injury in a preseason contest.

BUBBA SMITH'S FATEFUL INJURY

After the Colts picked off legendary Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, Smith went to set up a block near the sideline and got his leg caught up in the chain. He blew up his knee ligaments and missed the entire season after undergoing surgery.

Smith was a 6ft 7in, 265lb pass-rusher who boasted fearsome speed and was named a Unanimous All-American at Michigan State. He is the program's first and only No. 1 pick after the Colts swooped in the 1967 NFL Draft with a pick the expansion New Orleans Saints traded for quarterback Gary Cuozzo.

SUCCESSFUL CAREER INTERRUPTED

By the time of his injury, Smith had already reached the Super Bowl twice. The Colts were upset by the New York Jets at Super Bowl III, but beat the Dallas Cowboys two years later in 1971.

Smith refused to wear the ring after failing to beat the Jets and never got his hands on another one. In 1983, he claimed in his autobiography "Kill, Bubba, Kill" that the game may have been rigged in favor of New York to make sure that the AFL–NFL merger wasn't affected.

Named a First-Team All-Pro in 1971, he couldn't replicate his early-career form after his devastating injury.

LEGAL BATTLE AND CONSEQUENCES

Smith filed a lawsuit against the Tampa Sports Authority and the NFL for $2.5 million in the wake of the incident. His argument was that the way the referees handled the markers caused 'an undue hazard.' The battle ended in a mistrial six years later.

Smith was traded to the Oakland Raiders and finished his career on the Houston Oilers in 1976. Remarkably, no team he played for is still in its original city.

SECOND CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD

After leaving the field behind, the Michigan icon enjoyed some success as an actor. Smith is best known for playing Moses Hightower in the Police Academy series. He also had a part in the film Stroker Ace, which starred Burt Reynolds, as well as a number of TV gigs.

Smith passed away in tragic circumstances at the age of 66 due to acute drug intoxication and heart disease. In 2016, it was announced that Smith had the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

LASTING LEGACY

Smith is in the College Football Hall of Fame and enjoyed a glittering start to his pro career. Injury meant he could not build on the early success, but his work in Hollywood cemented a legacy to be proud of.

His case also contributed to changes in NFL safety standards that eventually led to the modernization of the first-down measurement system in 2025.

Thanks: TalkSport for data and photo

More information:24live.com