On 8 December 1980 the Patriots were playing the Miami Dolphins in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game with a playoff spot on the line. The game was tied 13-13 in the final seconds of regulation with the camera panned in on Smith when Howard Cosell broke the news to the nation that John Lennon had been murdered. Smith had made two field goals during the game but the kick was blocked and the Dolphins won in overtime.
On December 8, 1980, during a nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins for a playoff berth, the Patriots were tied 13-13 with seconds left. The camera showed Smith when Howard Cosell revealed that John Lennon had been assassinated. Smith scored two field goals but his kick was blocked and the Dolphins won in overtime.