One of the most entertaining scenes of the year took place in Buffalo when the Bills played the Indianapolis Colts in a driving blizzard. By the end of the game the snow on the field was ankle deep and players would disappear if they went to ground. Some say the Colts might have had a competitive advantage wearing their all white uniforms. We just say it was awesome and there are plenty more moments where the weather and playing conditions stole the show.
2002 – Tuck Rule Game
Sixteen years before he made the game tying extra point in Buffalo, Adam Vinatieri was the kicker for the New England Patriots in another crazy weather game. While the commentators might have said that his kick in western New York was the toughest kick he had to make, the actual toughest kick might have come in January 2002 with a little bit more on the line. With the Patriots down by 3 in another blizzard and time running out, he made a 45 yard field goal to send the Patriots-Raiders Divisional Playoff game to overtime. After making that, his 23 yard attempt in overtime would have almost seemed routine.
On top of the memorable weather conditions and Vinatieri’s clutch kicks, this game is also remembered for a referee’s call which is still hotly debated. Driving for the game tying score, Tom Brady was hit and the ball popped loose. Initially called a fumble, it was overturned on review saying his arm was moving forward which allowed the Patriots to keep the ball, eventually win the game and go on to their first title in team history.
1988 – NFL Fog Bowl
One of the best parts of the NFL Playoffs is the added elements of winter weather and what it can do for the game. The first half of the Bears-Eagles NFC Divisional Playoff game seemed like just another contest before a haze rolled in. Coming out of halftime, it was like a scene of a horror movie with teams unable to see across the field. In hindsight, it would not have been the craziest idea for a coach to throw out an extra player or two because it’s not like the referees would have been able to see everyone on the field. In the end the Bears won 20-12.
1967 – NFL Ice Bowl
The coldest game in NFL history took place at the famous Lambeau Field in 1967 with a spot in the inaugural AFL-NFL World Championship Game (later renamed the Super Bowl) on the line. Legendary franchises Dallas and Green Bay took the field in -25 degrees Celsius weather with a wind chill of -44. It was so cold that the officials could not use their whistles which some in the stands might have called a blessing. As for the game itself, well it came right down to the wire with Packers quarterback Bart Starr scoring on a one yard sneak
2008 – NHL Winter Classic
There is something about Buffalo and bad weather games. Over 71000 fans piled into the then Ralph Wilson Stadium to watch an outdoor ice hockey match between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. It was the first outdoor NHL game in the USA and such a success multiple games have been held at outdoor arenas since then. All of that success came in spite of snowy conditions adding an extra element of difficulty for the players. To remove the advantage of shooting towards a particular goal, the teams swapped directions halfway through the third period and in overtime as well. As for the result the Penguins won in a shootout thanks to Sidney Crosby.
2000 – NRL Snow Game
We know it can get cold in Canberra throughout winter but this game from the Wests Tigers debut season will be one that really stands out. It’s safe to say that NRL uniforms are designed for a lot of things but snow is definitely not one of them. As more snow accumulated on the ground it became tougher and tougher to distinguish field conditions but that didn’t stop this being one of the more fun games to look back on.
2006 – Super Rugby Final
We would bring you video highlights of this game, but all they really would be was an image of a grey cloud. Viewers of this game were restricted by a thick fog however we are reliably informed that the full 80 minutes were completed, and the Crusaders won one their million and a half Super Rugby titles over the Hurricanes 19-12.
2014 – NBA Air Conditioner Game
It takes a lot for a game to make this list when it takes place indoors but Game One of the 2014 NBA Finals certainly qualifies. The air conditioning unit in the AT&T Center malfunctioned causing the arena to gradually heat up throughout the second half. Playing in unusual heat limited LeBron James to just five fourth quarter minutes due to cramping and dehydration. San Antonio took advantage of his absence and ran out 15 point winners.
2007 – MLB Bug Game
Thanks to some unseasonably warm weather in Ohio, a swarm of midges invaded Jacobs Field late in the playoff game between the Yankees and Indians. With Cleveland leading the series 1-0, this interruption in play allowed for a massive momentum swing. One wild pitch later and the Indians sent the game to extra innings and they took a 2-0 lead thanks to an 11th inning walk off score.
2017 – New Delhi Test Match
The third test between India and Sri Lanka had an added twist with poor air quality in New Delhi. When players are forced to wear masks you know things might be less than ideal. At one point the visitors had to field with 10 players as their team was suffering through the poor weather. Needless to saw their coach was not happy.