FILE - In this Dec. 13, 1982, file photo, Mark Henderson clears snow as referee Bob Frederic watches during the third quarter of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins at Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen, File)
Turn off lights, turn on water, NFL games go on
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 1982, file photo, Mark Henderson clears snow as referee Bob Frederic watches during the third quarter of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins at Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen, File)
By By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
AP Sports Writer /
November 30, 2012
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A heavy, dense fog rolled over Chicago’s Soldier Field during the second quarter of this NFC divisional playoff game, cutting visibility to about 15-20 yards for the rest of the game. The Bears led 17-9 as the fog became so thick that players complained they couldn’t see the sideline and yard markers, and fans, TV and radio announcers had trouble seeing what was happening. Referee Jim Tunney wound up announcing the down and distance on his wireless microphone.
Snow plow to the rescue (Patriots 3, Dolphins 0, Dec. 12, 1982)
One of the classic moments in NFL history occurred when a snow plow came onto the field at Schaefer Stadium, cleared out an area that allowed John Smith to kick a 33-yard field with 4:45 left to give the Patriots the win. Because of the heavy snowfall, officials were allowed to call timeouts to allow a crew to use the plow and clear the yard markers. Turns out that Patriots coach Ron Meyer had ordered the driver, Mark Henderson (a convict on work release), to veer off course to clear a spot for the kick. A few extra seconds were all that was needed to determine the outcome in this one. After the incident, the use of snow plows during games was banned.
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