Week 14: "Snowplow Game"

A snow-covered New England field on a frigid day in late 1982 was the setting for one of the more unusual NFL games ever played. Due to the weather, the contest, between the Dolphins and Patriots, was offensively-challenged from the start. The teams would combine for just 11 completed passes for 89 yards, and after three quarters, neither team had scored. In the fourth quarter, the Patriots had a chance for a 33-yard field goal. Patriots coach Ron Meyer dashed down the sideline and ordered Mark Henderson, a convicted burglar who was out of prison on a furlough program and operating the Schaefer Stadium snow plow, to drive onto the field and clear away some snow for his kicker. Henderson did as he was told – and John Smith, New England’s left-footed kicker, succeeded on his attempt to give New England a 3-0 win. The Patriots celebrated as if they’d won the Super Bowl. With regret, Miami coach Don Shula later said that if he hadn’t been so bewildered, he would have tried to block that snow plow from assisting the Patriots. ― NFL 100

Box Score: Football Reference

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