Vikings Revise Sunday Plans After NFL Bans Pyrotechnics On-Field
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The NFL has banned any on-field pyrotechnics and "flame effects" at any league or team events, including games, in the wake of an incident at last Sunday's game at Nissan Stadium, and the Minnesota Vikings are retrofitting their plans to adhere to the policy change.
"Following a pyrotechnics device malfunction during an NFL pregame ceremony last week, the NFL has placed a temporary moratorium on all flame effects and pyrotechnics that typically take place on the field during games. The moratorium, which will remain in effect as the league reviews the matter, will impact the Vikings pregame entertainment elements this Sunday," a spokesperson for the team said. "The team is exploring other special effects options, but fans heading to the game against the Raiders will notice changes."
The team clarified that the current ban will not impact the stadium's pyrotechnics that occur off the field, such as along the roof of the building.
Earlier this week, equipment used for pyrotechnics during pre-game festivities burst into flames in the north end zone about five minutes before kickoff between the Titans and Colts. Workers quickly started putting out the fire near the 5-yard line on the sideline near the Titans' locker room.
The show went on as workers extinguished the flames as Taj George, wife of Eddie George, and a member of the group Sisters With Voices (SWV) sang the national anthem.
The Titans, who lost to the Colts in that game, put out a statement last Sunday:
"Following the pregame introductions today, there was a mechanical failure by one of the pyrotechnic devices which resulted in a fire. The vendor will be required by the state of Tennessee to undergo an inspection for the defective device and the others that were used to determine the final cause. The field staff acted quickly to extinguish the fire, which resulted in no injuries and minor field damage."
An NFL spokesman said the matter was being reviewed and the prohibition would last at least through the review.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)