iPad usage could cost NFL players $10,000 fine
Apple’s iPad is a great tool to bring the National Football League’s playbook into the digital age. But use it for anything other than a playbook, and expect a hefty fine.
The Miami Dolphins is the latest team to turn their playbook digital and use the iPad. “It’s convenient,” Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess told the Sun Sentinel. “Everyday we were getting stacks and stacks of paper with the installs. Now they can just download them on the iPad and it’s there — Bam!”
If players use the iPad for anything else other than using the playbook, they could face a $10,000, according to USA Today.
That could be a problem for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (Johnson) who has quite the Twitter following – 3,539,839 followers to be exact. The former Chad Johnson, who changed his last name to Ochocinco (the Spanish-slang for the number 85 that he wears), became quite popular for his controversial tweets and lively personality.
When the New England Patriots signed him last year, he clearly calmed down and cooled it a bit on Twitter. It was a sign of maturity for the 34-year-old Pro-Bowl receiver who had the worst year of his 11-year NFL career during the 2011-12 season with the Patriots.
Still, team leaders were quick to remind Ochocinco that the iPad is only for the playbook.
When Dolphins Center Richie Incognito was asked about his favorite iPad app, he quickly responded, “Playbook. The playbook is the new app of choice.”
It’s safe to say that Ochocinco would give a similar answer.
In April, the Denver Post wrote a feature on the Denver Broncos transition to using the iPad as the playbook.
“The advantage is that when they leave the building, they can take everything home with them very easily and watch tape at night and review the game plan installation,” General Manager Brian Xanders told the Post. “This is their full-time job — to prepare and do what ever they can to help us win each week.”
The Dolphins are the fifth NFL team to adapt the iPad as the tool for its playbook. More NFL teams are expected to come onboard.
