NFL teams trying to reduce fumbles with beeping footballs

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Amid the hooting and hollering at Washington Redskins minicamp, there’s a different sound in the air during running back drills.

Coaches whack at the football with Matt Jones carrying it, and it beeps. Then it beeps longer.

That’s a good sign.

The Redskins are one of five NFL teams using so-called beeping or whistling footballs to emphasize ball security. When the ball is being held correctly with the fundamental five points of pressure, it emits an audible beeping sound at about 80 decibels to tell a player he’s doing it right.

“If I had that ball in high school, I don’t think I would’ve had a fumble,” Jones said. “It’s teaching me how to squeeze the ball at the point of contact. Everything has changed about me holding the ball.”

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