GLENDALE, Ariz. -- History was made Sunday afternoon.
But it wasn't on the field.
For the first time in the 18-year history of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the retractable roof closed midgame. It's also believed to be the first time in NFL history a roof was closed during a game, according to FootballZebras.com.
Right around 2:59 p.m. local time on Sunday, near the nine-minute mark of the second quarter, a steady rain started to fall -- through the open roof at the facility.
A day earlier, the Arizona Cardinals announced the roof would be open for the second time this season, the first coming during the Monday night game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 21.
Within a minute, the roof began to close. About 10 minutes later, it closed entirely. However, it stopped raining before the roof was fully shut.
How it started. How it's going. pic.twitter.com/UrP8yDQ2MK
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) November 3, 2024
According to NFL rules, the referee has the authority to order the closure of a roof after consulting the stadium manager and NFL football operations representative.
The game, as was the case in Arizona, is allowed to continue as the roof is closed, but the roof must remain shut the rest of the game.