Football

OAITW r.2.0

(33,033 posts) Thu Dec 25, 2025, 07:44 PM Dec 2025

a question on the wrist cheat sheets that NFL QB's wear. How do they work?

Is it a list of plays drawn up to use against the opposition?
Are they subject to revision on the sidelines?

12 replies

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a question on the wrist cheat sheets that NFL QB's wear. How do they work? (Original Post) OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2025 OP

Yes, and yes. Usually a set of 10 plays to start a drive, but always subject to feedback from the coaches. TheRickles Dec 2025 #1

Cool...I assumed, but did not know. It looks like there are 2 sheets available, secured by velcro. OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2025 #2

There are two reason for the top part. OldBaldy1701E Dec 2025 #3

Interesting....thanks! OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2025 #4

I believe it's akin to this: True Dough Dec 2025 #5

Oh yes, the original smart phone. Angleae Dec 2025 #9

+1 Auggie Dec 2025 #10

It began in 1965. Colts quarterback John Unitas was injured and then his backup, Gary Cuozzo went down. rsdsharp Dec 2025 #6

Outstanding! OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2025 #7

Fascinating! Thanks for that! mountain grammy Dec 2025 #8

Very cool! MorbidButterflyTat Dec 2025 #11

Even cooler, Matte and his wristband was able to take the Colts to a playoff game with the Packers, rsdsharp Dec 2025 #12

TheRickles

(3,583 posts)

1. Yes, and yes. Usually a set of 10 plays to start a drive, but always subject to feedback from the coaches.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 07:48 PM

Dec 2025

OAITW r.2.0

(33,033 posts)

2. Cool...I assumed, but did not know. It looks like there are 2 sheets available, secured by velcro.

Reply to TheRickles (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:00 PM

Dec 2025

Lots of plays available to the QB. He gets the audible from the QB coach, looks it up and relays to the the team.

OldBaldy1701E

(11,886 posts)

3. There are two reason for the top part.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:15 PM

Dec 2025

One, to use as a cover for the plays listed beneath.

Two, a fake list that is covering the real list. (That part is now pretty obsolete, but they do still put plays on some of them.)

OAITW r.2.0

(33,033 posts)

4. Interesting....thanks!

Reply to OldBaldy1701E (Reply #3)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:19 PM

Dec 2025

True Dough

(27,755 posts)

5. I believe it's akin to this:

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:46 PM

Dec 2025

Angleae

(4,828 posts)

9. Oh yes, the original smart phone.

Reply to True Dough (Reply #5)

Fri Dec 26, 2025, 12:50 AM

Dec 2025

Auggie

(33,399 posts)

10. +1

Reply to Angleae (Reply #9)

Fri Dec 26, 2025, 07:32 AM

Dec 2025

rsdsharp

(12,120 posts)

6. It began in 1965. Colts quarterback John Unitas was injured and then his backup, Gary Cuozzo went down.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:49 PM

Dec 2025

The Colts put in their starting half back, Tom Matte, who had played QB at Ohio State. Matte, who would call his own plays, had his wife write plays on a wristband because she could write smaller and neater than he could.

That wristband is now in the Hall of Fame.

OAITW r.2.0

(33,033 posts)

7. Outstanding!

Reply to rsdsharp (Reply #6)

Thu Dec 25, 2025, 08:55 PM

Dec 2025

Another example of why I love DU. Thanks and MC.

mountain grammy

(29,439 posts)

8. Fascinating! Thanks for that!

Reply to rsdsharp (Reply #6)

Fri Dec 26, 2025, 12:17 AM

Dec 2025

MorbidButterflyTat

(5,017 posts)

11. Very cool!

Reply to rsdsharp (Reply #6)

Fri Dec 26, 2025, 06:22 PM

Dec 2025

rsdsharp

(12,120 posts)

12. Even cooler, Matte and his wristband was able to take the Colts to a playoff game with the Packers,

Reply to MorbidButterflyTat (Reply #11)

Fri Dec 26, 2025, 06:58 PM

Dec 2025

sixty years ago today — December 26,1965. They lost, 13-10 in sudden death overtime, but it was a remarkable achievement for an emergency quarterback.

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