Helicopter football drop ahead of Utah state championship game goes viral

The Utah 1A Eight-Player State Championship game between Rich High School and Monticello High School made headlines for its unique way of determining which team would start with the ball. A helicopter was seen flying over the field, hovering over midfield, and dropping a football for the team captains to scrap for possession. This creative approach to the traditional coin toss caught the attention of many, including Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Porter Ellett, who shared a video of the helicopter dropping the football on his X account.

In his post, Ellett expressed excitement for his nephew playing in the state title game and suggested that the NFL should consider adopting a similar approach to determine possession. However, it was later clarified that the traditional coin toss did take place before the ball drop. Despite this, fans were intrigued by the idea of dropping a football onto the field and having players compete for possession, reminiscent of the original Xtreme Football League’s method of deciding possession.

The game ended with Rich defeating Monticello 50-14, but the highlight of the helicopter drop added an extra element of excitement to the matchup. The concept of a unique ball drop to determine possession is not entirely new, as the XFL once experimented with a similar idea. However, the XFL’s approach led to an injury during the scramble, drawing criticism from fans and experts alike.

Overall, the Utah 1A Eight-Player State Championship showcased a creative and entertaining way to spice up the traditional coin toss in football games. While it may not be a practical solution for larger leagues like the NFL, it certainly added an element of fun and excitement to the high school championship game. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see more innovative approaches to determining possession in football games at all levels.