The back and forth NFL playoff game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday turned into another down and then up, up and away game for Microsoft’s sideline technology.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who two years ago said he had had enough of the Surface Tablet during games, was indeed using one during Sunday’s AFC Championship game. Until he wasn’t.
After a Chiefs score late in the fourth quarter, Belichick vented his frustration at a referee at what he thought was a pick play, and when that didn’t go anywhere the Surface did. First Belichick slammed the tablet into the ground at Arrowhead Stadium, and then he heaved it into the stands.
Bill showing off the new gizmo pic.twitter.com/qcYCNp2FXa
— Vikings Blogger (@firstandskol) January 21, 2019
The action was not missed by Panos Panay, chief product officer at Microsoft, who shared the same clip on his Twitter and Instagram feeds with his own commentary.
“He threw it on the ground … and then he threw it up in the stands!” Panay can be heard saying while laughing at the replay.
The Surface has taken this kind of beating before on NFL sidelines. And Panay said in his tweet “don’t worry … we quality test for this exact scenario.”
Incredible game happening right now…but don't worry about the #SurfacePro, we quality test for this exact scenario…it's fine #NFLPlayoffs #Surface #producttesting #builttolast #Chiefs #Patriots #NFLHighlights @NFL @surface pic.twitter.com/VYxZnftDsK
— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) January 21, 2019