SEATTLE – The anticipated NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers has resumed after a delay of one hour due to lightning in the area.
Referee John Perry announced the delay at 9:05 p.m. EDT on Sunday night with 3:13 left in the first quarter and the game scoreless. Players returned to the field at 9:55 p.m. EDT and the game started 10 minutes later.
Lightning flashes and thunder were noted around the stadium during the Seahawks' offensive possession just before the delay was announced. The lightning continued for much of the delay, but let up around 9:45 p.m. EDT.
It was the second NFL game to be delayed by weather on Sunday. Tampa Bay and New Orleans went through a 69-minute delay in the first quarter.
It was the second delay in CenturyLink Field history. On Dec. 14, 2006, a Thursday night game between the Seahawks and 49ers had its start delayed by just a few minutes after a heavy rainstorm caused parts of the field to bubble.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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