BREAKING: Game between Baltimore and Las Vegas called off on Sunday due to a collapsed chain crew member

The game between Baltimore and Las Vegas was called off on Sunday due to a collapsed chain crew member who

needed CPR.

A chain crew operator went down on the sidelines during the second quarter of Sunday’s NFL game between

Baltimore and Las Vegas, resulting in a medical emergency.

An update was made on Baltimore‘s X account stating that the unidentified operator was transferred to a local

hospital after the Ravens medical staff promptly performed CPR on him.

“One of the chain gang crew members passed out. Medical professionals rushed to him right away. After he left the

field, he was awake and responsive. “He’s being transported to a nearby hospital,” the Ravens’ statement stated.

After receiving medical attention on the field for a few minutes, the official was transferred on a stretcher and gave a

strong wave to the supporters, eliciting applause from the surrounding area of M&T Bank Stadium. Before playing

again, a number of players from both teams—including standout Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson—made a kneel

in front of the fallen official and took off their helmets.

During his post-game media appearance on Sunday, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh praised the emergency

medical crew for responding to the collapsing official, calling them “heroes.”. The seasoned head coach went on to

say that he was “grateful” for the chain operator’s good health report and described him as “a great person.”

Often referred to as members of the “chain gang,” chain crew officials work the two 10-yard markers that designate

the line to gain a first down on the sidelines of NFL games. The NFL pays these workers the minimum wage and

views them as part-time employees; this arrangement has been in place since the league’s founding in 1920.

The NFL is currently thinking about replacing the “chain crew” in 2024 preseason games with Sony’s Hawk-Eye

technology, a significant upgrade from this outdated distance measuring technique. The complex camera system

disrupts the frequently imprecise process of sideline officials trying to determine where a ball has crossed the first

down marker by precisely spotting the ball within half an inch.

“We’re currently installing all of our stadiums, making sure they’re calibrated and current,” stated Brantley, who

holds the position of senior vice president and chief information officer for the NFL. “We’re just now reaching a

point where this system is calibrating across all of our stadiums and is as accurate as possible. Inside those stadiums

are several stadiums of varying ages and dimensions. Therefore, what we’re actually doing is installing the

infrastructure and ensuring sure the cameras are placed.”

Hawk-Eye technology could be used as early as the 2025 season following this season’s preseason test run.

Nonetheless, the “chain gang” might carry on with their current responsibilities, providing supporters with a visual

cue regarding the first-down line.