The 1982 Patriots’ Snowplow Game: A 42-Year-Old NFL Controversy That Still Lives On

The Infamous 1982 Snowplow Game: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

Long before Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots to nearly infinite success, the team's most memorable game wasn't a Super Bowl. It wasn't even a playoff game. In fact, the Patriots were actually under .500 at the time of this infamous game. And I do not use the term "infamous" lightly.

This wild game had it all: snow, freezing temperatures, a hated rival as an opponent, a snowplow, and one heck of a controversial finish. Yes, I am talking about the "Snowplow Game."

This game had everything... except a touchdown. There wasn't one of those. In fact, this game between the Patriots and their hated rivals, the Miami Dolphins, would go down as one of the lowest-scoring games in the NFL since 1943.

The Snowplow Game: A Wild Battle in Freezing Conditions

The Patriots were just 2-3 when they hosted the 4-1 Dolphins on December 12, 1982. The season had been rocky, due to the cancellation of numerous weeks because of a players' strike earlier in the year.

The weather was absolutely miserable. According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms had rolled through Foxborough the night before the game. The rain froze overnight, making the already terrible turf field even worse. On top of that, heavy snow from a nor'easter fell on game day.

As bad as the field conditions were, the temperatures weren't much better. According to the National Weather Service, the game-time temperature was 26 degrees, with a wind chill of 14. It was a sloppy mess—a perfect recipe for bad football.

The Controversial Snowplow Moment

The Patriots and Dolphins battled to a stalemate that lasted late into the game. And that is when the game truly turned infamous.

New England drove the ball into Miami's territory late in the 4th quarter and was in a position to attempt a 33-yard field goal for the win. During a timeout, New England's head coach at the time, Ron Meyer, called for a snowplow to clear a spot for the ball to be placed for the kick. Before the Dolphins had a chance to react, the teams were lined up, the ball was snapped, and the kick was good.

That would be the lone score of the game, as the Patriots escaped with a 3-0 win. The Pats were joyous, Miami was furious, and snowplow driver Mark Henderson became a household name in New England. The ex-convict even received the game ball from Coach Meyer, making the story that much sweeter—and more controversial.

Snowplow Ban and Aftermath: The Legacy of the 1982 Snowplow Game

Miami tried to get the result overturned, but to no avail. According to Football Zebras, snowplows were banned the following year, and in 2018, non-players were completely prohibited from clearing an area.

Who would have thought a 3-0 game could be so exciting and infamous?