Awesome Snow Moments in Sports

Recent events in Buffalo, New York, serve as the inspiration for this collection of great snow moments in sports. Here are 25 iconic images throughout history as well as some awesome modern moments captured on social media.

Come along for the ride as we remember the Tuck Rule game and marvel at the sight of an MLB pitcher on skis. Join in as we scour athlete Instagram accounts for crazy pictures from Western New York. This is by no means a complete list of snowy, blizzardy awesomeness, but just enough to make you want to grab a snuggie and hibernate for awhile. 

What you won’t see is anything involving the malicious hurling of snowballs (malice is the opposite of awesome). And while there have been many memorable moments involving frigid temps (hello Green Bay!), if snow’s not involved, it’s not on this list.  

Alright, I’m cold just writing this. Let’s get on with it.

Snow Plow Game

MIKE KULEN/Associated Press

The “Snow Plow Game” was a 1982 regular-season matchup between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. The Patriots kicked a field goal in the final minutes to win the game by an electrifying score of 3-0.

It was so snowy in New England prior to the game that the Patriots offered free admission and $10 to fans who helped shovel the stadium. So when the home team decided to go for a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, you can imagine that the field was a bit snowy.

Mark Henderson, a member of the stadium maintenance crew, came to the rescue. Henderson was called upon to drive a tractor over the field and plow a spot for the Pats’ kicker to do his thing. To this day, Henderson (and the tractor) are remembered fondly in New England.

U.S. Soccer Snow Game

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

The U.S. men’s national soccer team was in the spotlight in 2013 as it attempted to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. A key game took place in Colorado in March—the U.S. beat Costa Rica 1-0 despite lots of snow.

A brightly colored ball was used for better visibility, and the lines on the field had to be cleared of snow. The game was delayed briefly in the 55th minute, and it appeared for a time that play might not continue.

The weather actually caused the Costa Rican team to appeal the game result to FIFA, albeit unsuccessfully. According to Andrew Keh of The New York Times, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “That was not our fault. I didn’t call God to give us some snow.”

Empty Arena

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

When Buffalo got absolutely crushed under six feet of snow recently, a football game was postponed and moved. A hockey game, on the other hand, went on.

The Sabres played its schedule home game against the San Jose Sharks on November 18. The photos of the empty stadium are pretty telling, but then again, they speak volumes about the people who were there.

Even Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta couldn't make it to the game. Getting snowed in must be a real drag.

You go, Sabres fans. 

Yasiel Puig

There’s something about snow that inspires people to act like little kids.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is no exception. In June 2014, he posted several videos to his Instagram account of himself playing in the snow.

It would appear that Yasiel Puig doesn’t want to grow up—more power to him.

Lions vs. Eagles 2013

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It's no secret that running generally works better than passing in cold-weather football games. Perhaps this helps explain how Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy set a franchise record for rushing yards in a single game in December 2013. 

The Detroit Lions were in town to play the Eagles, and McCoy ran for 217 yards in the victory. The game itself wasn't easy—it snowed throughout the game and made visibility difficult. The snow was so bad that neither team attempted a field goal, and on seven of the eight touchdowns in the game, the scoring team attempted a two-point conversion instead of an extra point. 

Jamie Anderson

Who better to capture glorious snowy sports moments than winter Olympians? American snowboarder Jamie Anderson posted this gem, one of the best images to come out of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

Shoveling at Lambeau

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Green Bay, Wisconsin gets a lot of snow. In 2008, there was so much snow covering Lambeau Field that fans came in to help clear it out.

The team paid fans $8 per hour to shovel the stadium prior to the NFC Championship Game.

In 2012, the pay went up to $10 per hour when over 1,200 people showed up in response to another call for shovelers.

Orioles Opening Day 2003

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A lot of baseball games that saw snow over the years were postponed—well not in Baltimore, not on Opening Day 2003.

On March 31, the Orioles welcomed the Cleveland Indians on a snowy, yet sunny day at Camden Yards. Of the weather, Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons told Joe Christensen of the The Baltimore Sun, “It was the strangest game. I couldn't see because of the snow, and then the sun was in my eyes two minutes later. I've never been in anything like this.”

The temperature to start the game was 48 degrees, but 13 innings later, it was very cold and very snowy. At least the home team won, 6-5.

Snow Bowl 1985

Steve Pyle/Associated Press

Like I said, Lambeau Field is no stranger to vicious winter weather. In 1985, the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers were greeted with a foot of snow on the field at the start of the game. During the game, four more inches fell, winds got up to 25-35 mph and the wind chill dipped to zero.

The Packers won 21-0—talk about a home field advantage.

Fred Jackson, Dad of the Year?

Well, Fred Jackson might be the coolest dad ever. When your town gets hit with a crushing snowstorm, it’s obvious that the only thing to do is use that snow for the fun and merriment of your children.

Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills shoveled snow into his bathtub so his two young daughters could play with their Frozen dolls in a more realistic setting.

Boss.  

Mets vs. Rockies 2013

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

The Colorado Rockies were scheduled to host the New York Mets on April 15, 2013, but the game had to be postponed due to weather. That didn’t stop Mets pitcher Jeremy Hefner from getting a few throws in.

Over a foot of snow fell that night, and the next day’s doubleheader was in question for a time. Luckily, crews were able to get the field cleared off in time to fit in both games. Unluckily, temperatures were below freezing at times.

According to Andrew Keh of The New York Times, the Rockies grounds crew was aided in the shoveling by Dick Monfort, the team owner, as well as Dinger, the team’s mascot. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson even helped out.

Snow Fireworks

WINSLOW TOWNSON/Associated Press

If you’re going to suffer through a snowy, frigid football game, at least have some fun with it, right?

That’s just what New England Patriots fans did in 2003 after Tedy Bruschi returned an interception for a touchdown. Fans tossed snow into the air (a la the LeBron James chalk toss), creating “snow fireworks” and a new Patriots tradition.

Mel Parnell

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Mel Parnell was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1947-56, and he still holds the franchise record for most wins by a left-hander.

This famous shot of Parnell was taken on April 14, 1953. The game had to be postponed, but that didn’t mean Parnell couldn’t have a little fun in the snow at Fenway.

Mario Williams

With more from Buffalo, Bills defensive end Mario Williams posted a great video during the 2014 snowpocalypse.

While most people were holed up in their homes, buried under six feet of snow, Williams was out and about, delivering food to his neighbors.

The vintage Bills helmet is the best.

1950 Snow Bowl

Uncredited/Associated Press

When Michigan plays Ohio State in football, it’s generally a pretty big deal. But in 1950, the matchup between these two rivals became one of the very first “snow bowls.”

As you know, meaningful offense is difficult in the midst of hazardous weather conditions. Case in point: the combination of snow, ice and wind was so atrocious that day, that Michigan won the game 9-3 without ever achieving a first down or completing a pass. The Wolverines had 27 yards of total offense for the entire game, and the entirety of the points scored on both sides came as a result of blocked kicks.

Snow for the First Time

Nick Wass/Associated Press

You know what’s magical? When someone sees snow for the first time—especially if that someone is a grown, adult human.

Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, hails from the Sunshine State and had never seen snow until recently. He was apparently too busy building a snowman to realize that he was late for a team meeting.

According to Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun, Ravens coach John Harbaugh had this to say: “It's all good, he had a fun time. He had never seen snow before. … It was just fun watching him enjoy it. He was like a little kid.”

Adorbs. See the endearing moment here.

1996 Grey Cup

Most people know Doug Flutie from his epic Boston College Hail Mary or his time in the NFL. But Flutie was also part of a pretty epic CFL game in 1996.

The Grey Cup is the Super Bowl of the CFL. In '96, a whole mess of snow fell during the game, and Flutie’s Toronto Argonauts defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 43-37.

Aside from the snow, there was also an incredible play on par with the likes of David Tyree’s helmet catch. Early in the game, Edmonton’s Eddie Brown made an incredible circus catch, managing to hang on to the ball even after it bounced off his foot, and took it to the house for a 64-yard touchdown.

Indians Move to Milwaukee

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

In 2007, the weather was so bad in Cleveland that the Indians had to move, at least temporarily. An April snowstorm forced the postponement of an entire series against the Seattle Mariners.

With the Los Angeles Angels scheduled to come to town, Jacobs Field still wasn’t game-ready, so the series was moved to Miller Park in Milwaukee.

2000 Independence Bowl

The 2000 Independence Bowl, played on New Year’s Eve, was the scene of a rare Louisiana snowstorm.

The game took place at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana and pitted the Aggies of Texas A&M against the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.

The 2.2 inches of snow reported at the Shreveport airport was the most the town had seen in one day since 1985, according to the National Weather Service. Snow fell throughout the game, and plows were brought out during breaks in the action to clear snow off the field lines.

Mississippi State won the game in overtime, 43-41.

Metrodome Roof Collapse

Craig Lassig/Associated Press

This may not necessarily be a good sports moment, but it is certainly one of the most memorable. And it is great how the sports community rallied to make games happen, despite catostrophic weather. 

In December 2010, a snowstorm hit the Midwest bringing dangerously low temperatures and high winds with it. Some parts of Minnesota got up to 23 inches of snow. The Metrodome in Minneapolis took a big hit when the snow piling up on top caused its roof to collapse.

The scheduled Vikings home game had to be moved to another day and city—it was played at Ford Field in Detroit. The following week’s game was moved as well, to TCF Bank Stadium, where the University of Minnesota plays.

Marquise Goodwin

In November 2014, Buffalo, New York, was hit with a massive snowstorm that left the city buried under six feet of snow.

Many Buffalo athletes posted photos of their snow experiences—this one of Marquise Goodwin is one of the best. According to Goodwin, “This snow doesn't scare me...”

Opening Day in Cleveland, 1996

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

Baseball is supposed to be a summer sport. Then again, it’s also a sport that spans six months of the year, minimum.

The scene was as follows: Opening Day, 1996, Jacobs Field, Cleveland. The New York Yankees were in town to face the Indians, but unfortunately, so was old man winter.

A spring snowstorm forced the postponement of the game, but that didn’t stop players from having a little fun. Kenny Rogers of the Yankees was photographed rolling up a giant snowball, and somehow this snowman made his way onto the field.

2014 NHL Winter Classic

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

In no sport does snow feel more natural than hockey. And at the 2014 NHL Winter Classic, the weather was very hockey-like.

Over 106,000 people attended the game at the snowy Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The temperature was 13 degrees with a wind chill down to zero. According to the Daily News, the previous five Winter Classic games had an average temperature of 39 degrees.

The ice had to be continually cleared of snow during breaks in the game action.

Tuck Rule Game, Part 1

ELISE AMENDOLA/Associated Press

Speaking of 2002, in January of that year, the New England Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC divisional playoffs. Many will remember it as the “Snow Bowl” or the “Tuck Rule Game.”

Many memorable moments occurred in this very, very snowy game. Two of those moments came courtesy of Adam Vinatieri. The Patriots kicker made a 45-yard game-tying field goal in the middle of a blizzard to send the game into overtime, where he also booted a 23-yarder to win the game.

When Vinatieri sealed the victory for the Pats, long snapper Lonie Paxton celebrated with snow angels in the end zone (and received no penalty or fine).

Tuck Rule Game, Part 2

STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press

Why do people also call it the “Tuck Rule Game” you ask? Well, also in that game came one of the most controversial calls in the history of the NFL.

With less than two minutes to play, the Patriots trailed 13-10. Tom Brady dropped back to pass, pump faked and was hit by Charles Woodson as he was bringing the ball back toward his body. The ball came loose, and the call on the field was a fumble.

After review, it was determined that the play fell under the NFL’s “tuck rule,” which was known to hardly anyone at the time. The rule stated that if the quarterback is in the motion of bringing the ball back toward him when it comes loose, then it’s not a fumble.

In 2014, owners voted to eliminate this rule.