After a wild rain delay to start the 2013-14 NFL season, the defending champion Baltimore Ravens and AFC favorite Denver Broncos are now returning to the field. However, it looked like the Baltimore Ravens were being patted down when they returned to the field.
According to Former Vice President of Officiating in the National Football League Mike Pereira, referees often pat down players to check for illegal substances when players return to the field after the half or before games.
From Mike Pereira on Twitter:
Officials are checking random uniforms for any illegal substances
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 6, 2013
They check random players on both teams before the game and at halftime.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 6, 2013
Foreign substances can be grease or silicon.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 6, 2013
This has been standard practice for years in the NFL
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) September 6, 2013
Ah, the wonderful world of the NFL.
Luckily, football is about to be back.
So lightning strikes and players being patted down aside, we are finally ready for the start of the season.