Being a professional athlete is difficult enough, but sometimes mother nature throws some roadblocks of her own into the mix.  On occasion, the powers that be decide to cancel these games, citing that the bad weather will make it impossible to play.  Luckily, there are individuals insane enough to lean back in their leather chairs and say "Heh, let's see them play in THIS weather," and force the game to go on as scheduled.  When that happens, it leads to an event whose awesomeness is almost incomparable.

 

14.) The Rain Bowl: November 28, 1982  Toronto Argonauts vs. Edmonton Eskimoes

Tons of rain fell on Toronto during the Grey Cup, which is Canada's adorable attempt at their own Superbowl.  November in the North is generally not a warm month, so the cold and win contributed to the miserable quality of the weather.  It was so severe, Toronto built the Skydome a few years later.

 

13.)  Fog Game:  May 20, 1975  Flyers vs. Sabres

Summer in Buffalo lasts for like 3 weeks before its back to 25 and snowy, which is why the unusual heat wave in May of 1975 surprised so many people.  The warm weather outside of the rink caused a thick fog to gather at ice level, making it difficult for the teams and fans to see the puck, which is not a good thing when two teams are competing for the Stanley cup.  Buffalo won the Fog Game 5-4 in OT.

 

12.)  Sneakers Game: December 9, 1934 Giants vs. Bears

This game was played in New York City's Polo Grounds.  The night before the contest, freezing rain fell on the playing surface, coating the field with ice.  Someone on the Giants noticed that it would probably be easier to move in flexible sneakers, so the team sent equipment manager Abe Cohen into the city to find some.  Every sporting goods store was closed, so Abe broke into Manhattan College's lockerroom (where he was also equipment manager), and stole 9 pairs of sneakers.  The Giants won 30-13.

 

11.)  Fog Bowl: December 31, 1988  Eagles vs. Bears

Fog can be a bitch.  That's what the Eagles and Bears learned in this playoff game in 1988.  The fog was so bad that receivers couldn't see the ball, requiring each team to run the ball a lot.  TV and Radio announcers couldn't call the game, due in part to their inability to see it.  The Bears won 20-12.

 

10.)  The Winter Classic: January 1, 2008 Sabres vs. Penguins

In the first ever outdoor NHL game played in the United States, the Penguins came to Buffalo to take on the Sabres.  71,000+ fans packed into Ralph Wilson Stadium.  Snow fell for most of the game, getting especially intense during the 3rd and overtime periods.  Those periods were divided in half allowing for the zamboni to resurface the ice.  Pittsburgh won the game 2-1 in a shootout.

 

9.)  The Snowplow Game: December 12, 1982  Patriots vs. Dolphins

The snow fell so heavy on New England during this game that neither the Dolphins nor the Patriots were able to score.  The field was covered in heavy snow, making it difficult for the players to run for long, much less catch a football.  In the waning minutes of the game, New England's only shot at victory was a field goal.  Aware that the field's condition would make a hold and kick impossible, Patriots coach Ron Meyer ordered the snowplow driver to clear a place for the ball on the field.  Despite heavy protest from Don Schula, the Patriots kicked the field goal and won 3-0.

 

8.)  Red Right 88: January 4, 1981  Browns vs. Raiders

January Cleveland is a cold place.  This game reached -4ºF with a -37º windchill, making it the coldest game since the Packers-Cowboys matchup in 1967.  The field was frozen, the ball was heavy like a rock.  Browns kicker Don Cockroft had missed two field goals and an extra point blocked.  The Browns opted to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal at the end of the game, resulting in a Raiders interception and subsequent victory.

  

5-7: Various "Snow Bowls":

 

November 25, 1950  Michigan vs. Ohio St.

This game was so snowy and windy, that each team decided to best opportunity to win the game was to punt into the opposing teams territory, and hope to pick up a fumble deep in the red zone.  There was a total of 45 punts in the game which was won by Michigan 9-3. 

 

December 1, 1985  Packers vs. Buccaneers

On the night before this epic game, 12 inches of snow fell on Green Bay, and another half a foot fell during the game.  The players were able to see an estimated 15 yards down the field.  Of the 19,000 fans that actually showed up for the game, it must have been difficult to see any action at all.  Green Bay took advantage and won 21-0. 

 

January 19, 2002  Raiders vs. Patriots

Also known as "The Tuck Rule Game," the Raiders entered Foxborough to take on the Patriots in heavy snowfall conditions.  Despite impaired visibilty, the game was tied at 13 until an Adam Vinitieri field goal won the game for the Pats.

 

4.)  Monsoon Bowl: December 16, 1979 Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City

Miles of clouds hung over Tampa Bay, which opened up and poured an incredible amount of water on the city.  One player described it as "biblical."  The field was covered in water, each player was soaked to the bone with rain water.  The Bucs managed to defeat the Chiefs 3-0 on a 19 yard field goal.

 

3.)  The Heritage Classic: November 22, 2003  Oilers vs. Canadiens

Everyone knows that hockey is played on ice.  Ice freezes at OºC and 32ºF.  This game was played at around -24ºF.  That's insanely cold.  Imagine skating hard down the ice, with that kind of wind whipping you in the face.  That would really suck.  Montreal won 4-3.

 

2.)  The Freezer Bowl: January 10, 1982  Chargers vs. Bengals

It took 14 years for a game to equal the Ice Bowl in terms of coldness, but the Freezer Bowl followed Red Right 88 the very next year.  It's considered the coldest wind chill ever recorded during an NFL game at -37ºF.  Cincinnati managed to better survive the conditions and win, 27-7.

 

1.)  The Ice Bowl: December 31, 1967  Packers Vs. Cowboys

Green Bay is a pretty cold place.  That's why it wasn't a shock that it was cold in December.  What WAS shocking was just how cold it was.  At -13ºF and a windchill of -35º, it's considered the coldest NFL game of all time.  When the referee put the whistle to his lips for the first time, it froze immediately, causing him to bleed, and the blood subsequently froze.  Numerous players were treated for frostbite and hypothermia, as was the U of Minnesota marching band, whose instruments did not work.  The Packers won 21-17.

 

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