Classic Moment of Greatness - The Snow Bowl

It’s easy for us Boston fans to get caught up in all of the excitement of the Bruins and Red Sox.  But we must not forget our other beloved teams.  It would remiss of us to push the Patriots and Celtics towards the depths of our minds during all of this Bostonian success. 

Therefore, we wanted to bring you the first “Classic Moment of Greatness,” where we remind you of important and defining moments in the history of Boston sports. 

This week’s moment was the turning point for Bean Town sports this past decade.  It’s the moment that marks the beginning of the New England Patriots’ dynasty.

Adam Vinatieri’s overtime, game-winning field goal in the 2002 AFC divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders.  This game is better known as the “Snow Bowl” or the “Tuck Rule Game.”

I’m sure most of you remember where you watched this game.  It was just one of those games that you don’t forget.  It evoked such emotion: doubt, anxiety, excitement, worry, jubilation. The fans were not sold on Brady yet.  It was too early in his career, and he hadn’t won anything yet.  But seeing Brady march the Patriots down that snowy, slippery field multiple times during that game changed everyone’s mind.  This guy was good.  This guy will change the Patriots forever. 

And he did. 

The football gods must have been on our side that night; that is clear.  The infamous “tuck rule” still doesn’t make sense.  It looked like a fumble.  How was it not a fumble?  Brady thought so, the crowd thought so, I think even the omniscient Belichick thought so.  But the powers that be had different ideas for the flying Elvises that night.  They were merciful. 

There were no snowplows that night to help Adam kick those two clutch field goals.  Instead, the players using their feet to clear a path for their kicker is an image I won’t soon forget.  It showed the unity of this team.  It defined them that year, right up to their unprecedented introduction as a team at the Superbowl. 

As we watched Vinatieri’s line drive kick fly directly through the uprights, we changed as fans.  We realized we were witnessing something special.  It’s a feeling very similar to watching Brad Marchand dodge defenders to score that amazing goal in Game 3.  The Bruins have that same unity.

Let’s hope my gut feeling about the Black and Yellow is right.  Go Patriots, Go Bruins, Go Boston.