The Dallas Cowboys have introduced a drone to film part of their practices this offseason and now according to Fox Sports, they will also be the first NFL franchise use virtual reality to help their players improve in 2015.
The Cowboys have struck a deal with StriVR Labs, a virtual-reality company with software that allows players a 3-D look at live action from practice.
“It’s an awesome feeling to have one of the biggest brands in the sports world to become one of the first teams that jumps in,” said Derek Belch, a former Stanford kicker-turned-assistant coach who is the CEO of STRIVR. “I give (head coach) Jason Garrett a lot of credit for being a visionary. He told me when we first met that he’s been dreaming of something like this for 20 years. And then once he saw it, he said it exceeded his expectations.”
Belch is optimistic his company will partner up with as many as a half-dozen NFL teams with his virtual reality system by the time training camp comes.
On the college side, in addition to Stanford, Belch has Auburn, Arkansas, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Dartmouth on board with three other Power 5 programs in discussion to sign on.
Quarterbacks, as well as linebackers or safeties, will wear a virtual-reality headset that will adjust the video in the room to what the player is looking at — while also allowing coaches to see if they are making the proper reads or checks during each play.