The Cowboys have “inked a two-year deal with StriVR Labs, a virtual reality sports startup, to train all of its quarterbacks using a VR headset,” according to sources cited by Eric Johnson of RE/CODE. The technology “is not interactive, but instead aims to teach quarterbacks decision-making skills in the context of a real play.” It also “aims to make it easier to give both starters and backup quarterbacks more opportunities to learn without needing the whole team on the field.” Former Stanford K Derek Belch “developed StriVR as a master’s thesis in the school’s VR lab.” In addition to Stanford, StriVR “previously signed deals with five collegiate football programs: Arkansas, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Dartmouth” (RECODE.net, 6/7). ESPN DALLAS’ Todd Archer noted the Cowboys “added a new room" for the system, which can also be used by linebackers and safeties, at their Valley Ranch training facility. The Cowboys are “the only NFL team using StriVR,” but other teams such as the Falcons are “considering adding the system” (ESPNDALLAS.com, 6/7). In Dallas, Jon Machota noted the team’s use of VR “comes at a time when the Cowboys have started flying a drone during organized team activities to get different angles of practice film” (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/7).
