NFL's season-opening game between Cowboys and Eagles abruptly halted; athletes hastily evacuated from the field

In an unexpected turn of events, the NFL season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys was suspended in the third quarter on the opening night of the 2025 season. The decision to halt the game was due to a thunderstorm approaching Lincoln Financial Field.

Weather maps showed severe rain and thunderstorms heading for the stadium, leading to a weather warning issued by the National Weather Service. Initially, it was a severe thunderstorm warning, but later, the Eagles' warning of a 'severe thunderstorm' approaching was corrected by the weather service.

As the storm approached, display boards at the stadium wrongly warned fans of a 'severe thunderstorm warning'. Fans were urged to seek shelter due to the lightning strikes, and the current threat was lightning and brief downpours, but a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is not in effect.

Prior to the suspension, Jalen Hurts had led his team to a 24-20 lead in the third quarter. He threw for 111 yards and ran in two touchdowns. Saquon Barkley added a third touchdown for the Eagles in the game.

The suspension was not the only moment of wildness in the game. Jalen Carter, the Eagles' defensive superstar, was ejected from the game just six seconds into it for spitting at Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Ben VanSumeren, the Eagles' fullback, was injured on the game's opening kickoff and needed to be carted off the field with a knee injury.

The game can continue if no more lightning occurs within 30 minutes. Any new lightning strike resets the clock, potentially prolonging the suspension. Eagles officials posted a message to fans urging them to exit the open seating area and take shelter along the concourses.

Some fans expressed their fury on social media about the game suspension, with comments like "Soft league, just let them play" and "This would've never happened in the 90s or early 2000s." Despite the frustration, the safety of the players and fans is paramount, and the NFL has strict rules regarding weather conditions.

The game is set to resume once the weather clears, with the Eagles leading 24-20. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see how the game unfolds when it restarts.

NFL's season-opening game between Cowboys and Eagles abruptly halted; athletes hastily evacuated from the field