Chain official from Ravens-Raiders hospitalized after collapsing on field, receiving chest compressions

A frightening scene played out in the first half of Sunday’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.

Just minutes before halftime at M&T Bank Stadium, players from both teams suddenly removed their helmets and took a knee on the field.

CBS cameras didn’t catch what happened, but the broadcast reported that someone on the Baltimore sideline needed medical attention and required chest compressions. It turns out that a member of the chain-gang had collapsed.

The broadcast went to commercial without further explanation, and play resumed after a break. CBS then reported that the official was carted off the field and moving his hands while on a stretcher.

Sideline reporter AJ Ross reported that the chain-gang member “passed out” during play, but regained consciousness. According to the Ravens, he was “alert and responsive” and transported from M&T Bank Stadium to a local hospital.

The identity of the official and further details of his condition weren’t immediately clear.

Official carted off field during Texans-Bears

A similar incident happened a few hours later on Sunday night at NRG Stadium.

Early in the second half of the Houston Texans‘ matchup with the Chicago Bears, a chain official tripped and hit his head after falling backward on the sideline. The man, who NBC identified as Dwight Steffler, stepped back as Texans running back Joe Mixon ran toward the sidelines in the game and he tripped over the 20 yard marker directly behind him.

Steffler hit his head hard as he made contact with the ground, and he remained down for quite some time while the Bears medical staff attended to him. He was eventually carted off the field, and play resumed a few minutes later.

While Steffler’s condition is not known, he was awake and alert as he was driven into the tunnel.