The NFL season opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs was delayed by 20 minutes on Thursday night after a brief but heavy storm moved over Arrowhead Stadium, bringing intense rain and lightning.
The game was supposed to start at 7:20 p.m. CDT, but the kickoff was pushed back 40 minutes to allow time for the storm to pass.
The teams agreed to a shorter 25-minute warmup starting at 7 p.m., leaving about 15 minutes for the Chiefs to unveil their latest Super Bowl banner, perform the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and complete other pregame activities.
Special teams players were warming up when the storm hit, causing fans to rush for cover.
The players were pulled off the field for safety when lightning flashed in the sky.
The heavy rain lasted about 20 minutes, but it left standing water in parts of the stadium. The storm also dropped the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit from a high of 92 degrees (33 Celsius).
More storms were expected until early morning, with the highest chance of additional thunderstorms occurring after midnight. This would give the NFL a chance to finish the game without further delays.
