KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The beginning of the NFL opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs was delayed by 20 minutes Thursday evening when a powerful however transient storm handed over Arrowhead Stadium, bringing with it torrential rain and lightning.
The sport had been scheduled to kick off at 7:20 p.m. CDT, or 40 minutes after the rain subsided. The groups agreed to an abbreviated 25-minute warmup starting at 7 p.m., leaving about quarter-hour for the Chiefs to boost their newest Tremendous Bowl banner, the efficiency of the nationwide anthem and “Elevate Each Voice and Sing,” and different pregame festivities.
Particular groups gamers had been on the sphere for pregame warmups when the skies darkened and rain started, sending followers within the stadium scurrying for canopy. The gamers had been taken from the sphere for security when lightning lit up the sky north of the stadium.
It solely rained closely for about 20 minutes, however the pace at which it fell nonetheless left standing water within the corners of the stadium. The storm additionally dropped the temperature by about 25 levels Fahrenheit from a excessive of 92 levels (33 Celsius).
Extra popup storms had been within the forecast till the early morning hours, although the best likelihood for extra thunderstorms was after midnight. That will give the NFL an opportunity to finish the sport with out one other delay.
