WASHINGTON - The football game, as we know it, changed Saturday afternoon thanks to a tablet and a eye lens as the AT&T 5G Helmet debuted at Gallaudet University. The Bison made history as they used the first heads up device in a football game before a crowd of 643 at Hotchkiss Field where GU rolled to a 34-20 victory over Hilbert College.
The helmet allowed Gallaudet Head Coach Chuck Goldstein to select plays from a tablet and send them to his quarterback's eye lens, located inside the helmet. The display of coach's play through augmented reality (AR), eliminated the chance for miscommunication, unwarranted penalties or not being able to get the attention of a deaf or hard of hearing player.
"What this helmet does for us is to help bridge the gap for a level playing field. We will never have a true level playing field. It just isn't possible because we are going to have challenges with communication with officials and the other team no matter what," said Goldstein. "This is the first step in the right direction. The future is bright with this technology. This is going to change the game for every deaf and hard of hearing player."
Gallaudet received a special waiver from the NCAA to use the heads up device in today's game against Hilbert, who also signed off on being a part of this historic moment.
"I really enjoyed using the AT&T 5G Helmet today," said Gallaudet starting quarterback Brandon Washington (Citronelle, Ala.) "It helped us to communicate fast. I didn't need to look to the sideline at Coach Chuck. I am glad AT&T provided us with this new helmet."
This is the only game the Bison will use the AT&T 5G Helmets for this season. Gallaudet coaches and players will provide feedback to the NCAA and AT&T about this game and their experiences using the new technology.
"I am really looking forward to using this again at some point. It helped us out a lot with getting our attention and clearly communicating the play," said Washington.
On the field, it didn't take long for the Bison to put the AT&T 5G Helmet to use. Gallaudet's first drive only lasted three plays and ended with a 63-yard touchdown run by Washington to tie the game at seven.
GU took the lead for good late in the first when junior Dre'Vaughn Mackall (Prince Frederick, Md.) got into the end zone from three yards out as the Bison led 14-7.
Washington continued to get the job done on the ground as he scored the second of three touchdowns with an 18-yard run midway through the second quarter. Hilbert kicker Lincoln Eagan sandwiched that Washington touchdown with field goals of 34- and 18-yards as GU led 21-13 at the half.
It was an uneventful third quarter before the two teams combined for 20 points in the fourth.
Washington capped his three-touchdown game with a 1-yard plunge at the 9:23 mark as Gallaudet led 28-13.
On the ensuing drive by the Hawks, the Bison defense came up big with a 68-yard pick-six interception made by sophomore Joshua Saaty (Ada, Okla.) to ice the game.
Gallaudet finished the game with 328 rushing yards as Mackall tallied 157 yards and Washington recorded 124 yards on the ground.
Hilbert quarterback Brody Hopkins completed 25 of 44 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
The day belonged to the history books and another chapter in Gallaudet's storied history.
From inventing the modern-day huddle in 1894 to serving as the global leader in education for deaf and hard of hearing students today, Gallaudet University has long been a pioneer for innovation. Deaf and hard of hearing athletes have a long history of breaking barriers and proving their innovation and talent on the field.
"Gallaudet for quite some time has always been leading the way with innovation and solving the world's problems. That's the whole concept of how people in the world benefit from those who are deaf and this collaboration allows us to continue to do that work," said Gallaudet Athletic Director Warren Keller.
This game was over 21 months in the making between AT&T and Gallaudet University. The national attention the AT&T 5G Helmet received with the official release on Thursday until now has been massive. The positive attention has been great for all involved and it is just the start.
"For AT&T to connect with us and have us lead the way with them, there is no better feeling than that. Everyone knows AT&T and now everyone is going to know Gallaudet University," said Goldstein.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet will begin Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) play next Saturday, Oct. 14, on the road at Vermont State Castleton (2-3).
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Gallaudet stampedes its way towards history with AT&T 5G Helmet debut
Posted: Oct 07, 2023