40 years ago (Dec 12, 1982) - The Snowplow Game

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There is a reason a John Deere tractor hangs from the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, and it’s because it reminds fans of one of the most unforgettable moments in team history.

Unlike some other Patriots memorable plays that were part of Super Bowl championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004, Mark Henderson’s clean sweep of a snowy field takes us back to an earlier time in Patriots history when the franchise was more of a plucky underdog.

Stan Grossfeld of the Boston Globe masterfully recreated the moment in a 2010 story, noting that a heavy storm had dumped so much snow on the region that the club offered a free ticket and $10 to anyone who would help shovel out seats before the game. When was the last time fans got paid to attend a game?

Before an announced crowd of 25,716 in frigid conditions, the teams were in a scoreless game with just less than five minutes remaining. The Patriots had the ball at the Dolphins’ 16-yard line and head coach Ron Meyer called for kicker John Smith to attempt a 33-yard field goal.

Enter Henderson, who was operating the John Deere tractor as part of a work-release program at a local prison, to sweep a clean spot for Smith to make the kick and send the Patriots to victory.

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