Zebra Technologies announces a new collaboration with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. This season, Zebra will implement its state-of-the-art RFID tracking technology to monitor player and ball data during Colts’ practice sessions. This enables insights that enhance game strategies, evaluate player performance, and ensure player health and safety.

“We are continually seeking innovative tools that equip our players to excel in practice and on game day,” said Mike Minnis, Colts director of sports performance. “Zebra’s tracking solution delivers the critical information we need to make informed decisions about on-field performance, manage player workloads, and guide return-to-play choices. We look forward to using this technology and seeing its positive impact on our team this season.”

The Zebra MotionWorks Sport System

The Zebra MotionWorks™ Sport system uses RFID tags embedded in footballs, attached to shoulder pads, and integrated into practice shirts and compression gear. These tags send real-time location system (RTLS) data to receivers located around stadiums and practice facilities. The Colts receive live data during practice sessions, enabling real-time tracking of player progress and workloads.

Zebra’s RFID tracking technology records metrics such as player speed, including acceleration and deceleration, distance covered per play and cumulatively, ball orientation, player proximity to the ball, and formations, among other data points. The Colts join Zebra’s growing list of NFL teams that leverage this information. Teams analyze data on every player for every practice repetition throughout the season.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Indianapolis Colts to our roster of esteemed NFL team clients,” said Joe White, chief product and solutions officer, Zebra Technologies. “Zebra’s tracking solution will empower the team to analyze practice data in unprecedented ways. We look forward to this technology translating into the team’s on-field success.”

Zebra is now in its 12th year as the NFL’s Official Real-Time Location Solutions Provider. It enhances the league’s Next Gen Stats platform, offering fans, media, and teams insights into every play. The company tracks every NFL game, both domestically and internationally, along with the NFL Combine and International Combine. Since 2014, Zebra has monitored over 15,000 players across more than 550,000 plays.