The Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans had to be abandoned in the third quarter due to extreme weather.
Thursday evening’s traditional pre-season opener in Canton, Ohio, was stopped with three minutes remaining of the third quarter, with the Bears awarded the victory as they led 21-17.
Thunder and lightning was lashing down at the Thomas Benson Stadium as the referee made the call to delay the game.
With no sign of improvement after players were sent away for 30 minutes, the match was officially called.
“The NFL made the right move with lightning in the area,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said of the decision to end the game. “That was good to see.
FINAL due to inclement weather. pic.twitter.com/YmrFI0u9mp
— NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2024
“They knew the weather was coming in and told us before the game.
“They had a plan in place to watch it because you never know how bad it’s going to be in terms of the lightning and the severity of it.
It was severe enough that they called it. They made a good call.”
Among the highlights in the shortened game was Bears receiver Collin Johnson catching two touchdowns from quarterback Brett Rypien.
Back-up Texans quarter-back Davis Mills also impressed early on, leading them on a perfect 13-play, 74-yard drive to open the game and score first.
