Ravens-Chiefs AFC championship game pause was drone-related
A drone once again paused a highly anticipated Ravens game.
During the first quarter of Baltimore’s AFC championship game Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, there was a brief break as referees announced an “administrative” timeout. That pause was drone-related, Maryland Stadium Authority vice president for public safety Vernon Conaway told The Baltimore Sun.
The pause lasted only a couple of minutes and, soon after, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens tied the game at 7 late in the first quarter.
For safety reasons, the Federal Aviation Administration places a Temporary Flight Restriction during large outdoor sporting events.
There was a similar, but lengthier, delay earlier this season when a drone was spotted during the Ravens’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16. During that month, eight drones violated restrictions by flying near the stadium during games. Typically, those who violate the restrictions are seeking to get an aerial photograph of the stadium and do not realize the dangers of flying a drone, Conaway has said, which can cause harm if the operator loses control of it.
There were no such drone issues during the Ravens’ two December home games.
Sunday’s drone was launched from an area near the intersection of W. Lee Street and S. Sharp Street. Maryland State Police responded to the area, located the drone pilot, and are investigating, Conaway said.
This story might be updated.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is comforted by a member of the Kansas City chiefs after the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by a member of the Chiefs staff as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by a member of the Chiefs staff as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by Odell Beckham Jr. in the final minutes of the game as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Ravens Isaiah Likely looks dejectedly on the sideline as the Chiefs defeat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers sits dejectedly on the bench late in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens Michael Pierce is dejected on the bench as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
John Brown of Phoenix reacts after the Baltimore Ravens fail to score a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left is consoled by kicker Justin Tucker as the fourth quarter and season close against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers walks on the sidelines in shock, still stinging from his fumble to the Kansas City Chiefs in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens fans react to a penalty against Baltimore late during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Fans see the end of the season as the Kansas City Chiefs keep the ball late during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis grabs onto him during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. fails to catch a pass in the end zone as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie covers and cornerback Jaylen Watson, #35 watches during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts in frustration during the AFC championship game in Baltimore against Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, #10 watchees Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling make a crucial reception sealing victory during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs celebrate after defensive back Deon Bush, kneeling, intercepted the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush intercepts the ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone during the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Triple teamed by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner, #27 and linebacker Nick Bolton, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely watches a pass get intercepted by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush, #26 during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush intercepts the ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone during the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs recover a fumble at the one-yard line by Zay Flowers during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4 coughs up the ball in the end zone to Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie for a touchback during the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as he tries to score and the Kansas City Chiefs recover the ball during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, talks to Referee Shawn Smith, left, in the fourth quarter after a taunting penalty on wide receiver Zay Flowers. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, reacts as Referee Shawn Smith, center, calls a taunting penalty on wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, in the third quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is called for a taunting penalty on the Chiefs L'Jarius Sneed after a 54-yards catch in the third quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Ravens Kyle Hamilton, left, tackles Chiefs Clyde Edwards-Helairehe in the third quarter. Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catches his own deflected pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Trent McDuffie breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson catches a pass after his pass was deflected by a Chiefs defensive player in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs #22 Trent McDuffie almost intercepts a pass as Baltimore Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson throws the ball away while being brought down by Kansas City Chiefs #95 Chris Jones in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce catches a pass over Ravens Brandon Stephens for a first down in the first quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as he tries to score and the Kansas City Chiefs recover the ball during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Kyle Hamilton is unable to stop Kansas City Chiefs\xe2\x80\x99 Travis Kelce from catching a touchdown pass in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Jan. 28, 2024: Baltimore Ravens #6 Patrick Queen and teammate Baltimore Ravens #24 Jadeveon Clowney bring down Kansas City Chiefs #10 Isiah Pacheco in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens #14 Kyle Hamilton celebrates a first half tackle. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Jadeveon Clowney as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill is tacked after a gain in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is striped of the ball by Chiefs Charles Onenihu for a 2nd quarter turnover as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a completion to Mark Andrews in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Kansas City Chiefs' George Karlaftis recovers fumble by Ravens' Lamar Jackson in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton is unable to stop Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce from catching a touchdown pass in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Ravens and Chiefs fans fight for the spotlight before the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Samantha Cholewczynski of Baltimore wears her handmade shirt showing Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Ketia Stokes, right, and her mother, Linda Stokes of Baltimore get ready as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Patrick Reed a former Parkville resident wears his Johnny Unitas jersey that he wore to the Ravens Super Bowl against the 49ers. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Pat McFaul of Bel Air gets ready for the Baltimore Ravens game as they host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
Shawn Blowe of Baltimore carries a giant Lamar Jackson photo on his way to thew stadium. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)
A group of Ravens fans from the United Kingdom tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Ravens fans cheer as Zay Flowers arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
avens Jadeveon Clowney arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Ravens running back Delvin Cook arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Ravens fans tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. ..(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)
Chris and Karen Nicewarner of Martinsburg, W. Va attend every home game and are on the sideline as the Ravens prepare to host the Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
A fan holds a sign about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce before the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff)