NFL season opener between Ravens and Chiefs delayed 20 minutes after storm hits Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The start of the NFL opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs was delayed 20 minutes Thursday night when a strong but brief thunderstorm passed over Arrowhead Stadium, bringing torrential rain and lightning.

The game was scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. CDT, or 40 minutes after the rain subsided. The teams agreed to an abbreviated 25-minute warmup that would begin at 7 p.m., leaving about 15 minutes for the Chiefs to raise their final Super Bowl banner, perform the national anthem and sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and other pregame festivities.

Special teams players were on the field for pregame warmups when the sky darkened and rain began to fall, sending fans in the stadium running for cover. Players were rushed off the field to safety when lightning lit up the sky north of the stadium.

It rained heavily for about 20 minutes, but the speed at which it fell left standing water in the corners of the stadium. The storm also dropped temperatures by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit from a high of 92 degrees (33 Celsius).

More flash storms were forecast through the early morning hours, though the greatest chance for more thunderstorms was after midnight. That would give the NFL a chance to complete the game without further delays.

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