The 1982 Snowplow Game: Patriots, Dolphins, and a Prisoner

Published on July 18th, 2025 5:59 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


December 12, 1982. Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots were tied 0-0 with the Dolphins in brutal snow and ice. Field conditions were nearly unplayable. Visibility was low. Offense was nonexistent.

Then came the snowplow.

With just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Patriots head coach Ron Meyer made a call that would become one of the most controversial in NFL history. He waved over the stadium's snowplow operator, who was circling the field during timeouts to keep yard lines visible.

Meyer didn't want the whole field cleared. He wanted one spot - the exact place where Patriots kicker John Smith was about to attempt a 33-yard field goal.

The plow zipped across the field and stopped at the Dolphins' 23-yard line. It paused. Then it carved out a perfect patch for Smith to plant his foot.

Smith nailed the kick. Patriots 3, Dolphins 0.

The snowplow operator? Mark Henderson. He was a convict from Norfolk State Prison, working a prison-release job at the stadium. That's right - an actual inmate altered an NFL result.

Dolphins coach Don Shula exploded. He protested immediately, calling it "cheating." But the NFL did nothing. Commissioner Pete Rozelle called it "unsportsmanlike but not illegal." No fines. No reversed result. Just a legendary footnote.

Years later, players on both sides still debate the play. The Patriots say it was smart coaching. The Dolphins still call it dirty.

And the NFL? It quietly changed the rulebook. Snowplows are no longer allowed during game play.

Mark Henderson later said, "What are they going to do, throw me in jail?" He was already there.

One inmate, one machine, one field goal. It's still the coldest assist in NFL history.