General
chain gang
What does chain gang mean?
The officials' assistants on the sideline who operate the 10-yard chains and down marker to measure for first downs.
"They brought out the chain gang to measure for a first down."
Origin
American football; the crew handling the yardage chains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the chain gang in football?
It's the sideline crew that operates the 10-yard chains and the down marker, brought out to measure whether the offense has reached a first down.
How many people are in a football chain gang?
Typically three: two hold the ends of the 10-yard chain and one handles the down marker, often with extra assistants.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
