A surprising scene unfolded at Wrigley Field when a goose appeared during a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies. The bird wandered onto the field in the third inning while play continued. Cubs first baseman Michael Busch even managed to get a hit as the ball flew over the goose, prompting it to take off.
Moments like this remind fans how unpredictable sports can be—especially when animals get involved. Over the years, there have been many memorable instances of wildlife interrupting games across different sports.
Notable Animal Interruptions in Sports
During the 2026 Winter Olympics in Tesero, Italy, a Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul ran onto a cross-country ski course during a race. The unexpected appearance caused brief confusion among athletes but didn’t significantly disrupt the event. One skier admitted she was unsure how to react, unsure if the dog might be dangerous. Officials quickly removed the dog, and it became an instant fan favorite.
In 2025, a squirrel caused chaos during a Yankees vs. Red Sox game in New York. It ran across the field, paused near a player, and even attempted to dig near the pitcher’s mound before eventually exiting. That same year, another squirrel interrupted a game in Detroit, running across the outfield and into the bullpen.
Golf fans also witnessed an unusual interruption in 2025 when a snake slithered across the course during the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina. It moved near a ball before continuing on its way.
College baseball in Oklahoma saw a bunny briefly halt play when it dashed across the field, running behind home plate before disappearing toward the bullpen.
In 2024, a squirrel made headlines during a college football game between Ole Miss and Oklahoma. The animal ran onto the field, sprinted into the end zone, and disappeared into a tunnel, amusing fans.
That same year, a tennis match at the US Open between Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov was interrupted by an insect. Ball boys needed about 30 seconds to capture it before play resumed.
Soccer fans in Pennsylvania were entertained when a raccoon wandered onto the field during a match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC. It evaded capture for nearly three minutes before being safely removed.
Baseball games also saw their share of unusual guests. A turtle delayed a minor league game in Florida before being safely carried off the field. Meanwhile, a swarm of bees caused a long delay at a game in Arizona, requiring a professional beekeeper to remove them. The beekeeper later threw the ceremonial first pitch.
On the same day as the bee incident, a cat ran onto the field during a game in California, eventually jumping into the Phillies’ dugout.
In 2023, a squirrel amazed fans at Yankee Stadium by running along the outfield wall without causing harm.
Basketball games have also had their share of wildlife encounters. In San Antonio, bats repeatedly interrupted games at the AT&T Center. In one famous moment in 2009, Manu Ginobili swatted a bat out of the air. The incidents continued over the years, with multiple bats appearing during games and even being caught by the team mascot.
One of the most famous animal appearances in baseball came in 2011, when a squirrel ran across the field during a playoff game between the Cardinals and Phillies. Though it didn’t stop play, the “Rally Squirrel” became a symbol of good luck as the Cardinals went on to win the World Series.
Cats have also made memorable appearances in football stadiums. In 2017, a kitten wandered onto the field during a game in Baltimore and was later adopted by a stadium employee. In 2019, a black cat ran across the field during a Monday night game in New Jersey.
Dogs have caused their share of interruptions as well. At a golf tournament in Scotland in 2012, one dog stole Paul Casey’s ball mid-play. Fortunately, he was allowed to continue and still scored well on the hole.
Another bee-related delay occurred in 2019 when a swarm settled near the backstop during a baseball game in Cincinnati, causing an 18-minute delay before the insects were removed.
NFL Draft Buzz
As excitement builds for the 2026 NFL Draft, analysts and team reporters have shared their predictions for the first round.
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, aiming to secure a long-term solution at the position. The New York Jets may follow by strengthening their defense with pass rusher David Bailey.
The Arizona Cardinals could choose edge rusher Arvell Reese, while the Tennessee Titans might add linebacker Sonny Styles to bolster their defense.
At No. 5, the New York Giants are projected to pick running back Jeremiyah Love, considered one of the most dynamic offensive talents in the draft.
Other projected selections include offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa to the Cleveland Browns and cornerback Mansoor Delane to the Washington Commanders.
The New Orleans Saints are expected to target a wide receiver, potentially selecting Carnell Tate to give their offense a boost.
As the draft approaches, speculation continues about how teams will use their picks, especially with several franchises holding multiple first-round selections. Fans are particularly eager to see how many quarterbacks will be chosen and which defensive stars will come off the board early.
