Why was Bears-Texans game delayed? Sideline referee carted off after suffering scary fall

David Suggs

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Why was Bears-Texans game delayed? Sideline referee carted off after suffering scary fall image

The Bears and Texans' Sunday night clash experienced a brief delay partway through the third quarter.

The reason why? A member of the game's sideline official crew suffered a nasty fall after attempting to avoid making contact with players headed in his direction.

Here's what you need to know.

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Why was Bears-Texans game delayed?

Chicago and Houston's duel with one another was going about as smoothly as one could imagine until the sideline official went down with 13:13 left in the third quarter.

The incident took place at the 20-yard line marker on the sideline. The man, Dwight Steffler, appeared to trip over the barrier after evading Chicago and Houston players' oncoming rush. He proceeded to fall and hit his head, sending his glasses flying in the process.

Medical personnel rushed to tend to his wounds. After a brief conversation with Steffler, a cart was called. He was helped to his feet before being placed on the machine and wheeled off into the locker room.

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NBC's sideline reporter, Melissa Stark, offered a brief update on Steffler's status during the delay.

“I was standing right by him. His name is Dwight Steffler,”  Stark said. “He is part of the chain crew."

“He initially, when the play ran out towards him, you could see right there, fell back and hit his head. And the Bears medical staff immediately came over to try to help. They brought over the paramedics and their equipment. They sat him up and he began talking. And they asked for the cart to come out and now you can see him. I’m a little bit blocked from him, but they have him getting ready to take him off the field.”

Steffler has been a member of chain crews for multiple seasons, even offering his services during the Super Bowl. No immediate update wa

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.