Late in the fourth quarter, Miami Dolphins kick returner Jakeem Grant broke a return out to the 41-yard line after the Buffalo Bills kicked off following a field goal. The game was getting tight as the Bills slowly chipped away at Miami lead, with the Dan Carpenter field goal closing Buffalo to within four points at 28 to 24. Then Carpenter, a former Dolphins player, apparently decided to have an attitude on the sideline after hitting Grant to knock him out of bounds.
Grant went sprawling into the Miami sideline and Carpenter immediately sprinted to him to stand over him.