Weather delay? For a basketball game?
Yes. In the midst of the SEC Tournament quarterfinals -- Alabama and Mississippi State are in overtime -- a loud, piercing wind ripped through the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the lightweight roof structure visibly rippled, and the support scaffolding for the central scoreboard began to sway.
Whistles blew. Players look up.
Debris fell onto the floor. And people began to clear the stands.
We're being told now on Sun Sports in the southeast region that play is expected to resume shortly now that Georgia Dome officials have completed an inspection and deemed the building structurally sound.
This has to be a first, right? An indoor sporting event delayed due to severe weather? Crazy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-14-2008 @ 10:41PM
rough said...
shame it didnt fall on mark's head what a loser of a coach for bama
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3-15-2008 @ 12:00AM
Troy (Gainesville, FL) said...
Well, except for all the Saints games, and Hornets games... But ok, yeah, outside of super hurricanes, this is probably a first. Other than games cancelled when teams couldnt make it through snow to the stadium. But for a thunderstorm, yeah, probably a first. Anyway, yeah, this was nuts.
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3-15-2008 @ 12:11AM
jonathan said...
so what does this mean for kentucky and the players who play 40 minute basketball games? now they're playing two games in one day?
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3-15-2008 @ 12:35AM
tanning lotion said...
I just hope that everyone was ok.
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3-15-2008 @ 12:52AM
Ginger said...
Alabama's coach, Mark Gottfried stated the most important thing about this whole exciting game was the fact that no one was hurt inside the Georgia Dome from the tornado that was hitting Atlanta as Alabama and Mississippi State were playing in overtime. Would have loved to have seen Alabama win the game. It was a pleasure to listen to Mark speaking to the announcer and stressing the safety of the players,their family and his family and at the same time thanking Georgia Dome security for helping in the initial panic. I was very proud of all Alabama's players and their coach. If Mykal Riley had not made his wonderful 3 pointer that sent the game to overtime, many people might have been leaving the Dome and have been outside right as the tornado hit! The plays that Mark Gottfried made in overtime switching Bama's smaller faster players in and out was great and I think he did a great job coaching. Mykal Riley, Richard Hendrix and Gee played great games against Florida and Mississippi State. Congrats to Mississippi State!
Roll Tide Ginger Maxwell
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3-15-2008 @ 12:58AM
Ginger said...
Mark Gottfried did a great job coaching a good Alabama team during the Florida game and also tonight during the Mississippi State game. When he talked to the announcer after the tornado hit the Atlanta Dome, he said all the correct things first and then talked about finishing the game in OT and winning the game(safety of loved ones of course coming first). All the players can be proud and Congrats to Mississippi State.
Roll Tide and Thanks Mark Gottfried for two great SEC tournament games!
Ginger
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3-15-2008 @ 12:58AM
rusty said...
Thank goodness no one was hurt. I was there and it was a little scary, but the Georgia Dome people did a excellent job of controlling the situation. Being a Mississippi State fan I'm glad that we were able to finish the game with a win. Hopefully kentucky and Georgia play in the morning and we will play one of them tomorrow afternoon. God is good.
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3-15-2008 @ 1:07AM
Search Engine Placement said...
I bet most basketball players aren't used to playing in those elements. I hope everyone was ok.
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