The Bears-Vikings game on Sunday took a bit longer than normal to finish, thanks in part to a medical emergency involving a chain gang member.
The NFC North foes required overtime in Chicago, with the Bears mounting an 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter to force extra time. However, Minnesota would not be denied the victory, stopping rookie QB Caleb Williams in overtime and kicking a field goal for the 30-27 win.
However, before the Vikings secured the win, there was a delay on the field due to a medical emergency. One of the chain gang members collapsed on the sideline, requiring attention from the medical staff at the stadium.
The win for the Vikings keeps them right behind the Lions for first place in the division. Minnesota improved to 9-2 with the win, while Detroit kept a two-game lead with a dominant win over Indianapolis.
The contest between the Bears and Vikings was delayed in overtime due to a medical emergency on the Minnesota sideline.
With 5:53 remaining in overtime, play was stopped as a member of the chain gang was attended to on the sideline. The staffer had to go into the medical tent to be attended to.
While the concern among those on the field was temporarily on the chain gang member, those in the stands were antsy to see the end of the divisional bout. The Soldier Field attendees began jeering in the direction of the injured worker
The chain gang in the NFL is exactly what it sounds like -- a gang in charge of running the chains.
The group is seen on the sidelines of NFL games, carrying markers for the line of scrimmage, the down number and the line to gain, or where the team needs to be to get a first down. Players, coaches, and officials use this contingent to correctly locate where the downs are and how many more are left.
Currently, the chain gang uses physical chains. They are sometimes called into action when a play is close to being a first down. The group rushes onto the field, with one person holding the marker for the line to gain. The official will measure the ball's location in relation to where the chain dictates the line to gain to be, and determine if a first down was gained or not.