National Football League Game Officials Self-Rating of Knowledge in Neuro-Ophthalmic Principles and Practice: A Pilot Program to Improve Precision and Accuracy of Game Official Calls

Abstract

Background: To determine whether a neuro-ophthalmic curriculum would improve National Football League (NFL) game officials' self-rated knowledge and interest in neuro-ophthalmic principles to improve precision and accuracy of NFL play-calling. Methods: The formalized and structured neuro-ophthalmic principles (NOP) curriculum was introduced to 121 NFL game officials, 17 replay officials, and 4 officiating staff who attended the NFL Official Training Camp in Irving, Texas, on September 8 and 9, 2023. Before and after the lecture and videos were introduced, participants completed an optional hard-copy feedback form pertaining to self-reported NOP knowledge, likelihood of using said terms, and interest in future content of NOP applicable NFL officiating. Paired 2-tailed t tests were used for statistical analysis to directly compare the self-reported knowledge before and after the neuro-ophthalmic curriculum introduction. Results: One hundred forty-two participants completed the prelecture and postlecture feedback forms self-reported knowledge after the NOP curriculum was given to the NFL officiating staff. All (142/142) participants completed a survey. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean ratings of the prelecture vs. postlecture understanding of the specific neuro-ophthalmic terms pertinent to NFL game officials (2.6 [95% CI, 2.3–3.0] vs. 7.9 [95% CI, 7.6–8.2], P < 0.001) and 2.7 [95% CI, 2.3–3.0] vs. 7.7 [95% CI, 7.4–8.0]), respectively. There was a statistically significant greater likelihood of using said terms prelecture vs. postlecture (2.9 [95% CI, 2.4–3.4] vs. 7.5 [95% CI, 7.2–7.9], P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study found a statistically significant improvement in neuro-ophthalmic knowledge and a greater likelihood of using NOP terms following the NOP curriculum. NFL game officials, replay officials, and staff are interested in expanding their knowledge in the vision science of neuro-ophthalmic concepts and applications involved in play-calling. We hope that our pilot data will lead to a model of education that will improve the precision and accuracy of NFL play-calls by officials on game days.