It was one of the coldest games in NFL history.
January 7, 1996.
I know this because I was there.
The Coldest Game in Arrowhead History – and one of the Top Five Coldest Games in NFL History
There is no question the Chiefs/Colts Divisional Round playoff game on January 7, 1996 was extremely chilly.
When you do a search on the “coldest games in NFL history,” you will find that some of the details about this game are inconsistent, however.
For example, when I first searched this around five years ago, the Chiefs/Colts game was listed as tied for the third coldest game in history on this post at NFL dot com.
For some reason, after that crazy cold wild card game between Seattle and Minnesota in 2015, the Chiefs/Colts game was mysteriously removed from their post.
However, there are other websites that confirm just how historically cold it was at Arrowhead in January of 1996.
For example, this article on FANSIDED lists this Chiefs game as the fourth coldest game in NFL history.
This news website up in Minnesota (they know a thing or two about cold) calls this game “THE K.C. FREEZE” in their list 6 “coldest NFL games.”
This article on Bleacher Report has the Chiefs/Colts playoff game at number 5 on their top ten list of coldest NFL games.
Interestingly, an Arrowhead Pride writer doesn’t even think this game is the coldest game in Arrowhead history–he says the Chiefs/Titans game in December of 2016 tied the December 18, 1983 game against the Broncos for the claim of coldest game at Arrowhead.
Both of those games are listed at 1 degree Fahrenheit at kickoff.
However, other sources on the internet say the Chiefs/Colts game in 1996 was colder than that.
So How Cold Was It?
Many of the sources I found (like the ones I linked to above) say that the temperate for the game was as low as 6 below zero.
What I clearly remember from that game was the talk about wind chills being at minus 20 below zero. Some articles say 15 degrees below zero wind-chill.
But when you research this game online, you don’t find one consistent temperature set in stone. The numbers vary.
When I think back to that game, I recall putting on more layers of clothing than I would typically wear during a winter Chiefs game. I remember keeping my face covered, protecting everything but my eyeballs from those bitter winds swirling around the stadium.
This AFC Divisional Round Game Shocked Us All
Aside from the weather, I remember feeling overconfident going to this game as a Chiefs fan.
Probably because this was the first time the Chiefs were the number one seed in the playoffs. They were 13-3 that season, and were rested after a bye-week.
Usually, the top seeded team wins its first playoff game.
Usually.
The Colts, on the other hand, were 9-7 that year, had played a game the week before, and here’s the biggest factor that got me feeling cocky that day: their two biggest stars (RB Marshall Faulk and DT Tony Siragusa) were OUT with injuries.
I didn’t think there was any way the Chiefs were going to lose that game.
But the weather was a huge factor–both teams struggled badly on offense, mainly because of the weather.
The final score was Colts 10 Chiefs 7.
If you recall, the Chiefs mysteriously abandoned Martyball (running the football a lot) and went to a passing game that was ineffective for the last three quarters. QB Steve Bono threw three interceptions.
But the weather hurt the Chiefs field goal kicker the most.
Lynn Elliot missed 3 field goals that day, including one in the final seconds.
I remember watching Elliot on the sidelines preparing to go in for his final kick. Sitting close to the field, I noticed his facial expression looked like a deer in the headlights.
As Elliot trotted out to the field for the final kick, I said to my dad and cousin next to me, “He’s not going to make it.”
I could see it in his eyes.
Walking Out Numb
All the fans walked out of the stadium feeling numb…maybe shock or denial is a better description.
I remember having a hard time believing what I just saw.
The entire experience was a surreal moment for Chiefs fans.
And the weather was arguably the biggest factor why the red and gold lost.
Anyhow, this game is definitely one of the coldest games in NFL history.
Where it ranks exactly on that list is just a little snowy.
Did you attend the game? If you want to chat about this, leave a comment below!
Or Continue Reading: Why Former Chiefs Cornerback Dale Carter Might Cheer for the Ravens Now
