After a brief lightning delay, fans cheered their Denver Broncos as they finally took the field shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday night for their NFL season opener in Denver. Lightning delayed the start of the game, then the Baltimore Ravens were slow to take the field.
After a brief lightning delay, fans cheered their Denver Broncos as they finally took the field shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday night for their NFL season opener in Denver. Lightning delayed the start of the game, then the Baltimore Ravens were slow to take the field.Brennan Linsley/Associated Press

DENVER – The start of the NFL season opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos was delayed Thursday night because of lightning.

The pregame festivities began on time, but the kickoff was pushed back 15 minutes to 6:55 p.m. An announcement was made in the stadium that any fans who wanted to seek shelter could go to the concourses. Very few of them left their seats.

There was no rain at the stadium, although the sky was overcast.

The national anthem and player introductions were delayed.

After the Broncos’ players took the field shortly after 7 p.m., the Ravens’ players remained in the locker room. Both teams now are on the field, but the game time has been postponed again until 7:12 p.m.