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Tag: Sports History

  • This Day in Sports History: January 18

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour Events. Over the years, Jan. 18 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Here are some great moments in sports history from Jan. 18:

    • 1938: Pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 1947: The Detroit Tigers traded first baseman Hank Greenberg to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
    • 1951: The New York Giants selected Kyle Rote from the SMU Mustangs as the first pick in the NFL Draft.
    • 1955: In the fifth NBA All-Star Game, the East beat the West, 100-91, and the MVP of the game was Boston Celtics guard Bill Sharman.
    • 1963: Al Davis became the head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders.
    • 1967: In the 20th NHL All-Star Game, the Montreal Canadiens beat the All-Stars, 3-0. The MVP of the game was Montreal center Henri Richard.
    • 1972: Basketball player Jerry West scored a 20-foot jump for a game-winning shot that earned him MVP honors at the NBA All-Star Game.
    • 1973: The New York Islanders broke a 12-game losing streak, winning a game against defending Stanley Cup champions the Boston Bruins.
    • 1976: The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 and won Super Bowl X. The MVP of the game was Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann.
    • 1981: Tennis star Björn Borg claimed his second straight ATP Masters Grand Prix title.
    • 1991: At the Australian Open, Boris Becker beat Omar Camporese in five hours and 11 minutes. This was the longest match in the history of the Australian Open.
    • 1998: Larry Bird returned to Boston for the first time as head coach of the Indiana Pacers to play against the Boston Celtics.
    • 2001: New York Ranger Mike Richter got his 267th career NHL win and became the goaltender with the most wins in the team’s history.
    • 2005: The Denver Nuggets’ Earl Boykins set an NBA record for points in a single overtime period with 15.
    • 2015: The Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers, 28-22 in overtime, and won the NFC Championship.
    • 2017: Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, and Ivan Rodriguez were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 2018: Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira rode the largest-ever wave by a female surfer at 20.72 meters.
    • 2022: The Boston Bruins retired Willie O’Ree’s No. 22 jersey on the 64th anniversary of his becoming the NHL’s first black player.

    Two athletes who stood out on Jan. 18 were Al Davis and Willie O’Ree.

    In addition to his motto, “Just Win, Baby,” Davis was recognized for his pioneering hiring practices, his pivotal role in the AFL-NFL merger, and his transformative impact on professional football, which led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. O’Ree overcame significant challenges, including partial blindness in one eye from a puck injury, to play a long career in minor leagues and in the NHL.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 17

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 17 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Here are some outstanding moments in sports history from Jan. 17:

    • 1934: The New York Giants gave their National League MVP pitcher Carl Hubbell a contract of $18,000.
    • 1937: Golfer Patty Berg won the first-ever Ladies Professional Golf Association’s Titleholders Championship.
    • 1952: With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams picked University of Vanderbilt quarterback Bill Wade.
    • 1953: At the Australian Championships for men’s tennis, Ken Rosewall won his first Grand Slam title.
    • 1953: At the Australian Championships for women’s tennis, Maureen Connolly won her first leg of the Grand Slam, becoming the first woman to achieve the feat.
    • 1961: In the 11th NBA All-Star Game, the West beat the East 153-131. The MVP of the game was Oscar Robertson, and at 22 years of age, he was the youngest to receive All-Star MVP honors.
    • 1970: Sporting News named Willie Mays the Player of the Decade for the 1960s.
    • 1971: The Baltimore Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys, 16-13, and won Super Bowl V, which was the first Super Bowl game to be played on artificial turf. The MVP of the game was Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley.
    • 1982: Tennis star Ivan Lendl claimed his first of five ATP Masters Grand Prix titles.
    • 1986: Boxer Tim Witherspoon beat defending champion Tony Tubbs in 15 rounds, winning the WBA heavyweight boxing title.
    • 1988: The Fumble game happened when the Denver Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns 38-33 and won the AFC Championship. The “fumble” was a game play where defensive back Jeremiah Castille caused Earnest Byner to lose possession of the ball by knocking it out of his hands. This happened at the three-yard line and in the last 65 seconds of the game.
    • 1989: NHL coach Al Arbour won his 600th NHL game.
    • 1994: Basketball player Patrick Ewing became the first New York player to reach the 15,000-point mark in his NBA career.
    • 1996: Detroit Red Wings center Steve Yzerman scored his 500th career NHL goal.
    • 2015: Boxer Deontay Wilder beat Bermane Stiverne by a unanimous decision. It was the first heavyweight win in seven years for the U.S.
    • 2025: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to get both a goal and an assist in the same game.

    Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 17 were Ivan Lendl, Al Arbour, and Patrick Ewing.

    Lendl is known for his powerful baseline game, heavy topspin forehand, and pioneering fitness, and for winning eight Grand Slam singles titles. Arbour was a legendary Canadian NHL player and coach, who is most particularly recognized for leading the New York Islanders to win four consecutive Stanley Cup Championships (1980-1983), a feat unmatched in North American sports. Ewing is an 11-time NBA All-Star and was the 1986 Rookie of the Year. He also became the Knicks’ all-time leader in several categories and was known for his powerful defense, rebounding, and scoring.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 15

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour Events. Over the years, Jan. 15 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 15 included:

    • 1939: The New York Giants beat the All-America All-Stars 13-10 in the first NFL All-Star game.
    • 1950: Detroit Red Wings’ rookie goaltender Terry Sawchuk recorded the first of his 115 career NHL shutouts.
    • 1956: The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 31-30 in the sixth NFL Pro Bowl. The Most Valuable Player was Baltimore Colts’ running back Ollie Matson.
    • 1962: Rod Laver won the single’s title at the Australian Championships for men’s tennis, marking the initial step toward his first Grand Slam.
    • 1962: Margaret Smith won the Australian Championships for women’s tennis for a third consecutive year.
    • 1965: The San Francisco Warriors traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers.
    • 1967: The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 to win Super Bowl I. The MVP was Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr.
    • 1972: World heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier stopped Terry Daniels in four rounds to retain his WBC and WBA titles.
    • 1981: Pitcher Bob Gibson joined the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 1984: John McEnroe claimed his second season-ending ATP Masters Grand Prix tennis title.
    • 1984: Tennis player Martina Navratilova’s 54-match winning streak ended, as she lost to Hana Mandlíková.
    • 1986: Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender Patrick Roy recorded the first of his 66 career NHL shutouts.
    • 1987: The Sporting News named Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird Man of the Year, while the Associated Press selected him as Athlete of the Year. This was the first time an athlete received both distinctions.
    • 1990: George Foreman defeated Gerry Cooney in two rounds in a non-title fight.
    • 1994: Lawrence Taylor retired from the NFL.
    • 2000: Utah’s Jerry Sloan became the 12th coach in NBA history to achieve the 700-win mark.
    • 2014: The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher Clayton Kershaw in a seven-year, $215 million package deal.
    • 2023: Los Angeles Laker’s LeBron James passed the 38,000 NBA career points mark.
    • 2024: Basketball player Joel Embiid tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of getting 30 or more points and 10-plus rebounds in 16 consecutive games.

    Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 15 were Martina Navratilova, Patrick Roy, and Larry Bird.

    Navratilova won 59 Grand Slam titles, including 18 singles, 31 doubles, and 10 mixed, and a record nine Wimbledon singles wins. Roy is the only player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP three times for different teams and is now a successful coach with the New York Islanders. Bird transformed the game with his versatile, unselfish play, earning Rookie of the Year and multiple MVP awards.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 11

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 11 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 11 included:

    • 1893: Jaap Eden skated to a world record time of 2:35 in the 1,500 meter speed skating race.
    • 1959: In the ninth NFL Pro Bowl, the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 28-21, and New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford and Chicago Bears defensive end Doug Atkins were named Most Valuable Players.
    • 1960: LaMar Clark set a pro boxing record with 44 straight knockouts.
    • 1963: San Francisco Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored 67 points in a 129-134 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
    • 1970: The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 to win Super Bowl IV.
    • 1976: Dorothy Hamill won her third straight U.S. national figure skating championship.
    • 1983: Pat Hughes set an NHL record for the two fastest shorthanded goals by one player, with the goals only 25 seconds apart.
    • 1983: Los Angeles Kings center Marcel Dionne got his 24th NHL career hat trick.
    • 1989: Denver Nuggets rookie Jerome Lane missed seven free throws in a game, and one of them missed by two feet.
    • 1990: New York Islander Pat LaFontaine set a team record by scoring a goal in his 11th straight game.
    • 1992: Kristi Yamaguchi won the women’s U.S. figure skating championship.
    • 1998: Todd Eldredge won the men’s U.S. figure skating championship.
    • 2001: The New York Knicks broke an NBA record by holding an opponent under 100 points for a 29th consecutive game.
    • 2003: Hockey player Jaromir Jagr scored his 10th career hat trick.
    • 2004: Washington Capitals goaltender Olaf Kölzig picked up his 32nd NHL career shutout.
    • 2016: No. 2 Alabama beat No. 1 Clemson 45-40 to win the College Football National Championship.
    • 2016: Lionel Messi won his fifth FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
    • 2021: No. 1 Alabama beat No. 3 Ohio State 52-24 to win the College Football National Championship.
    • 2024: Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots parted ways after 24 seasons as head coach and six Super Bowl titles.

    Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 11 were LaMar Clark, Pat Hughes, and Kristi Yamaguchi.

    Clark, nicknamed the Cedar City Bomber, was a professional boxer whose final fight was a loss to Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) in 1961. Hughes is a Canadian former NHL player (1976-1987) who won three Stanley Cups (with Montreal and Edmonton) and is famous for scoring five goals in one game. Yamaguchi won a gold medal in figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics, becoming the first Asian American to do so.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 10

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 10 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Here are some of the greatest moments in sports history from Jan. 10:

    • 1914: Speed skater Oscar Mathisen set a world record 500-meter time of 43.7 seconds.
    • 1920: Montreal’s Newsy Lalonde scored six goals in a game.
    • 1951: Maurice Richard scored his 16th career hat trick, and the Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 3-0.
    • 1953: In the third NFL Pro Bowl, the National Conference beat the American Conference 27-7, and the MVP was Detroit Lions defensive back Don Doll.
    • 1967: In the 17th NBA All-Star Game, the West beat the East 135-120, and Rick Barry was the MVP.
    • 1982: The Cincinnati Bengals beat the San Diego Chargers 27-7 at the Freezer Bowl.
    • 1982: The San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-27 and won the NFC Championship. Dwight Clark made a fingertip catch with 58 seconds left in the game, known throughout the football world simply as The Catch.
    • 1984: Luis Aparicio, Harmon Killebrew, and Don Drysdale were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 1986: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored his 34,000th career point, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 124-102.
    • 1989: Los Angeles Kings center Wayne Gretzky became the NHL’s all-time leading scorer in combined regular season and playoff points.
    • 1998: Slovakia won its first Hopman Cup tennis title.
    • 1998: Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan won his 600th NBA game, as the Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 111-84.
    • 1998: Vancouver Canucks center Mark Messier became the sixth player in NHL history to record 1,000 assists.
    • 2004: The United States won the Hopman Cup tennis title for the third time.
    • 2007: Dikembe Mutombo moved into second place on the career blocks list.
    • 2011: Lionel Messi won his second straight Ballon d’Or award.
    • 2011: In the 13th BCS National Championship, No. 1 Auburn beat No. 2 Oregon 22-19.
    • 2018: Kevin Durant became the second-youngest player to reach 20,000 career NBA points.
    • 2022: No. 3 Georgia beat No. 1 Alabama 33-18 and won the College Football National Championship.
    • 2024: Kawhi Leonard signed a $153 million extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 10 were Maurice Richard, Jimmy Johnson, and Kevin Durant.

    Richard was known for his explosive speed, scoring prowess, and fierce style, and he became a French-Canadian icon and hero. Johnson was a legendary American football coach, known for winning both a college national championship and two consecutive Super Bowls, becoming the first coach to achieve both. Durant is a legendary American professional basketball player, a prolific scorer, and one of the most decorated athletes of his generation.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 7

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, the NFL playoffs, college bowl games, college basketball tournaments, tennis’s Australian Open, Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 7 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 7 included:

    • 1910: The Ottawa Senators beat Ontario’s Galt Professionals 3-1 for a 2-0 sweep of the Stanley Cup challenge series.
    • 1928: Hockey player Howie Morenz scored his 100th career goal.
    • 1955: In a non-title super middleweight fight, Floyd Patterson landed a fifth-round technical knockout against Willie Troy.
    • 1972: The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win. It remains the longest winning streak in the NBA.
    • 1979: The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Houston Oilers 34-5 to win the AFC Championship.
    • 1979: The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC Championship by beating the Los Angeles Rams 28-0.
    • 1980: The Philadelphia Flyers’ 35-game unbeaten streak came to an end as they lost to the Minnesota North Stars.
    • 1982: Hockey star Bryan Trottier of the New York Islanders scored his 10th career hat trick.
    • 1985: Lou Brock and Hoyt Wilhelm were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 1989: The Cleveland Cavaliers blocked 21 shots from the New York Knicks, tying an NBA regulation game record.
    • 1992: Tom Seaver and Rollie Fingers were voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 1994: The Czech Republic won tennis’s Hopman Cup, securing a title it previously won in 1989 as Czechoslovakia.
    • 1995: Germany won the Hopman Cup tennis title for the second time.
    • 1995: Coach Larry Brown picked up his 500th career NBA win.
    • 1998: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal blocked three shots, taking his career total to 1,002.
    • 2007: Phil Jackson landed his 900th win as an NBA coach.
    • 2013: In college football’s 15th BCS National Championship Game, second-ranked Alabama beat top-ranked Notre Dame 42-14.
    • 2013: Soccer player Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the fourth year in a row.
    • 2017: France won the Hopman Cup tennis title for the second time.
    • 2019: In the College Football Playoff National Championship, second-ranked Clemson beat top-ranked Alabama 44-16.

    Two athletes who stood out on Jan. 7 were Phil Jackson and Lionel Messi.

    Jackson is known for his unique leadership, knack for inspiring players, and influential books on success. Having won a record 11 championships, he is the most successful coach in NBA history. Messi is a global icon, celebrated for his talent, numerous titles (including in the Champions League and La Liga), and cultural impact, all of which make him one of the most recognizable athletes in history.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 6

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour Events. Over the years, Jan. 6 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 6 have included:

    • 1925: Paavo Nurmi set indoor records in both the mile and 5,000-meter races.
    • 1951: The Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals 75-73 with an NBA record of six overtimes. It was also the longest game in NBA history.
    • 1970: Johnny Famechon retained his WBC featherweight title by defeating Fighting Harada with a knockout in the 14th round.
    • 1980: The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Houston Oilers 27-13 to win the AFC Championship.
    • 1980: The Los Angeles Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0 and won the NFC Championship.
    • 1980: The Philadelphia Flyers set a North American professional sports record of 35 straight games without a defeat.
    • 1980: The Steelers beat the Oilers and made it to the Super Bowl. John Stallworth caught a touchdown pass in the game.
    • 1981: John Tonelli scored five goals in a game in a victory for the New York Islanders over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
    • 1994: Nancy Kerrigan was injured in an attack that involved her rival, Tonya Harding.
    • 1995: Atlanta Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens became the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with his 939th career win when the Hawks beat Washington 112-90.
    • 1996: Croatia won its first Hopman Cup tennis title.
    • 1998: Don Sutton was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 2001: Roger Federer beat Jan-Michael Gambill to help Switzerland win the Hopman Cup title.
    • 2006: Lisa Raymond and Taylor Dent beat Dutch pair Michaëlla Krajicek and Peter Wessels to win the Hopman Cup for the United States.
    • 2012: Thierry Henry rejoined Arsenal for two months.
    • 2014: At the 16th BCS National Championship Game, the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles beat the No. 2 Auburn Tigers 34-31.
    • 2015: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 2018: Switzerland won its third Hopman Cup tennis title.
    • 2018: Jon Gruden returned to the NFL to coach the Oakland Raiders.
    • 2018: Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scored a touchdown off of his own pass, and the Titans beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21. He became only the second quarterback to score on that type of play.

    Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 6 were John Tonelli, Nancy Kerrigan, and Jon Gruden.

    Tonelli was a gritty Canadian hockey forward, best known for winning four consecutive Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders from 1980 to 1983. Kerrigan is a decorated American figure skater who won national titles and Olympic medals (bronze in 1992 and silver in 1994). Gruden is a former Super Bowl-winning NFL head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who served as an analyst on ESPN’s popular “Monday Night Football,” where he was known for his “Chucky” persona and “Gruden Grinders” film breakdowns, and a charismatic, high-energy figure in football culture.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 4

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    Many sporting events take place this time of year, including the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 4 has witnessed many moments and stories involving legends that shaped sports history. Continue reading to learn about some of them.

    These great moments in sports history happened on Jan. 4:

    Many notable athletes had major events on Jan. 4, such as Rogers Hornsby, Eric Dickerson, and Robert Parish. Hornsby was one of baseball’s greatest right-handed hitters, a two-time Triple Crown winner, seven-time batting champion, and two-time MVP. Dickerson is a Hall of Fame NFL running back recognized for his iconic goggles and neck roll and for breaking the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1984. Parish is a legendary, durable, 7-foot-1-inch NBA center, nicknamed “The Chief,” known for his stoic defense, clutch rebounding, and signature high-arcing jump shot.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 3

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    Sports this time of year include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoff games, college bowl games, select college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E races, and PGA Tour events. Jan. 3 has hosted many notable moments and stories that have impacted sports history, so continue reading to learn about some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Many significant moments in sports history happened on Jan. 3, including:

    • 1931: Montreal Maroons center Nels Stewart scored two goals four seconds apart, achieving the fastest two goals in NHL history.
    • 1971: In the first AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Colts beat the Oakland Raiders, 27-17.
    • 1971: The Dallas Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 17-10, in the first NFC Championship game.
    • 1972: Ken Rosewall retained his Australian Open men’s tennis title and his fourth overall Australian crown.
    • 1976: Evonne Goolagong Cawley beat Renata Tomanova and got her third straight home singles title.
    • 1979: Guillermo Vilas won his third Grand Slam title.
    • 1981: Golfer Johnny Miller won the sport’s first $1 million tournament, beating Seve Ballesteros in a playoff at the first Million Dollar World Challenge.
    • 1981: Hana Mandlíková claimed her first of four career Grand Slam singles titles.
    • 1981: The Cleveland Cavaliers retired Austin Carr’s No. 34 jersey.
    • 1982: Johan Kriek won his first Grand Slam title.
    • 1983: Dallas running back Tony Dorsett set an NFL record with a 99-yard rush in the Cowboys’ 31-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
    • 1991: Wayne Gretzky became the fastest and youngest player in NHL history to score 700 goals.
    • 1993: “The Comeback” event happened when quarterback Frank Reich led the Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in overtime, 41-38.
    • 1994: Quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young, became the first quarterback to win three straight NFL passing titles.
    • 1997: Texas-El Paso head coach Don Haskins became the 10th coach in NCAA Division I history to get a record 700 career wins.
    • 1998: Los Angeles Clippers coach Bill Fitch coached his 2,000th NBA game.
    • 2001: No. 1 Oklahoma beat No. 2 Florida State, 13-2, and won the Orange Bowl.
    • 2002: No. 1 Miami defeated No. 2 Nebraska 37-14, winning the Rose Bowl.
    • 2004: Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay tied an NFL-playoff record with five field goals, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 29-10, in the Wild Card playoff rounds.
    • 2007: Head coach Nick Saban returned to college football to take the head coaching job at the University of Alabama.
    • 2016: Jimmy Butler broke Michael Jordan’s franchise record of 40 points in a half.

    Jan. 3 witnessed talented athletes achieving exceptional feats. Three athletes who stood out were Hana Mandlíková, Steve Young, and Jimmy Butler. Mandlíková is a legendary Czech-Australian tennis player who won four Grand Slam singles titles (Australian Open ’80 and ’87, French Open ’81, U.S. Open ’85) and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994. Young is an impressive left-handed NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, known for his dual-threat ability of passing and running. Butler is a tenacious, clutch NBA superstar recognized for leading the Miami Heat to multiple NBA Finals.

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  • Diane Crump, first woman to ride in Kentucky Derby, dies at 77

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    The first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby, Diane Crump, has died.She was 77.”Mom passed away peacefully tonight. She ended her life surrounded by friends and family. Thank you for being the best support system. We have been truly blessed by your generosity and kindness. I hope my mom’s legacy of following dreams and helping others continues through those that were touched by her amazing life,” said Crump’s daughter, Della Payne, in a GoFundMe post on New Year’s Day.In the player up top: Diane Crump’s Kentucky Derby boots on display at Kentucky Derby MuseumCrump had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.For the first 95 years of the Kentucky Derby’s existence, only male jockeys were allowed to compete. But that all changed in 1970 when Crump became the first woman to ride in the Derby.She received her jockey license just one year prior and would go on to finish 15th in the 96th Run for the Roses.Through 1,682 starts, Crump amassed 228 wins and collected more than $1.2 million in earnings during her jockeying career.“Diane Crump was an iconic trailblazer who admirably fulfilled her childhood dreams. As the first female to ride professionally at a major Thoroughbred racetrack in 1969 and to become the first female to ride in the Kentucky Derby one year later, she will forever be respected and fondly remembered in horse racing lore. The entire Churchill Downs family extends our condolences to her family and friends,” Churchill Downs said in a statement.Following her career as a jockey, Crump started Diane Crump Equine Sales as a way to connect buyers and owners in the sporthorse world. She also volunteered at hospitals and nursing homes with her dachshunds to provide animal-assisted therapy.

    The first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby, Diane Crump, has died.

    She was 77.

    “Mom passed away peacefully tonight. She ended her life surrounded by friends and family. Thank you for being the best support system. We have been truly blessed by your generosity and kindness. I hope my mom’s legacy of following dreams and helping others continues through those that were touched by her amazing life,” said Crump’s daughter, Della Payne, in a GoFundMe post on New Year’s Day.

    In the player up top: Diane Crump’s Kentucky Derby boots on display at Kentucky Derby Museum

    Crump had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

    For the first 95 years of the Kentucky Derby’s existence, only male jockeys were allowed to compete. But that all changed in 1970 when Crump became the first woman to ride in the Derby.

    She received her jockey license just one year prior and would go on to finish 15th in the 96th Run for the Roses.

    Through 1,682 starts, Crump amassed 228 wins and collected more than $1.2 million in earnings during her jockeying career.

    “Diane Crump was an iconic trailblazer who admirably fulfilled her childhood dreams. As the first female to ride professionally at a major Thoroughbred racetrack in 1969 and to become the first female to ride in the Kentucky Derby one year later, she will forever be respected and fondly remembered in horse racing lore. The entire Churchill Downs family extends our condolences to her family and friends,” Churchill Downs said in a statement.

    Following her career as a jockey, Crump started Diane Crump Equine Sales as a way to connect buyers and owners in the sporthorse world. She also volunteered at hospitals and nursing homes with her dachshunds to provide animal-assisted therapy.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 2

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Jan. 2 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving legends that have shaped history. Keep reading to learn about this day in sports history.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 2 included:

    • 1912: The Australasia team went to 3-0 on the Americans, eventually winning 4-0.
    • 1922: In the eighth Rose Bowl, California tied with Washington and Jefferson at 0.
    • 1939: No. 2 Tennessee beat No. 4 Oklahoma, 17-0, in the fifth Orange Bowl.
    • 1939: In the fifth Sugar Bowl, No. 1 TCU defeated No. 6 Carnegie Tech, 15-7.
    • 1943: The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team began a 129-game home game winning streak.
    • 1950: In the 36th Rose Bowl, No. 6 Ohio State beat No. 3 California, 17-14.
    • 1953: The Baltimore Bullets began a record 32-game road losing streak.
    • 1957: Gene Fullmer defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in a 15-round unanimous decision, winning the world middleweight boxing title.
    • 1961: In the 47th Rose Bowl, No. 6 Washington beat No. 1 Minnesota, 17-7.
    • 1966: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns, 23-12, marking the start of the Packers’ dominance era.
    • 1967: In the 33rd Sugar Bowl, No. 6 Alabama beat No. 3 Nebraska, 34-7.
    • 1972: Virginia Wade won her first Grand Slam title.
    • 1978: In the 44th Orange Bowl, No. 6 Arkansas beat No. 2 Oklahoma, 31-6.
    • 1980: Guillermo Vilas retained his Australian Open men’s tennis title.
    • 1982: Martina Navratilova won the first of three Australian singles crowns.
    • 1983: Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson achieved his second passing title with an NFL-record 70.55% completion rate.
    • 1984: In the 50th Orange Bowl, No. 5 Miami defeated No. 1 Nebraska, 31-30.
    • 1985: UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian got his 600th win in a triple-overtime game against Utah State.
    • 1986: The New York Islanders winger Mike Bossy scored his 500th career goal.
    • 1987: Coach Jack Ramsay achieved his 800th NBA victory.
    • 1996: In the 25th Fiesta Bowl, No. 1 Nebraska beat No. 2 Florida, 62-24.
    • 2001: No. 3 Miami defeated No. 7 Florida, 37-20, in the 67th Sugar Bowl.
    • 2003: In the 69th Orange Bowl, No. 5 Southern California beat No. 3 Iowa, 38-17.
    • 2012: No. 3 Oklahoma State won the 41st Fiesta Bowl, defeating No. 4 Stanford, 41-38, in overtime.
    • 2017: Michael van Gerwen won his second PDC World Darts Championship.

    Jan. 2 witnessed many talented athletes accomplishing great things, including Gene Fullmer, Ken Anderson, and Jack Ramsay. Fullmer was a tough, two-time World Middleweight boxing champion from Utah, known for his relentless, “hammer-fisted” style. Anderson is recognized as a legendary NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals and an MVP in 1981, who led them to their first Super Bowl. Ramsay was an exceptional Hall of Fame basketball coach best known for leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their only NBA Championship in 1977.

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  • This Day in Sports History: January 1

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    Sports in January include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL playoffs, college bowl games, some college basketball tournaments, the Australian Open for tennis, UFC Fight Nights, Formula E, and PGA Tour events. Over the years, Jan. 1 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Jan. 1 included:

    • 1902: The first-ever Rose Bowl happened. Michigan beat Stanford, 49-0, and the MVP was Michigan fullback Neil Snow.
    • 1907: Joe Gans beat Kid Herman in the eighth round and retained his world lightweight boxing title.
    • 1909: Runner Robert Fowler ran a then world record marathon time of 2:52:45.4
    • 1913: James Cecil Parke beat Alfred Beamish and won the Australasian Championships for men’s tennis.
    • 1918: Georges Vézina became the first NHL goalie to get an assist.
    • 1929: In the 15th Rose Bowl, Georgia Tech beat California, 8-7. Roy Riegels got a fumble recovery and ran 60 yards the wrong way.
    • 1935: In the first-ever Orange Bowl, Bucknell beat Miami (FL), 26-0.
    • 1935: In the first-ever Sugar Bowl, Tulane beat Temple, 20-14.
    • 1940: In the sixth Orange Bowl, No. 16 Georgia Tech beat No. 6 Missouri, 21-7.
    • 1942: In the 28th Rose Bowl, No. 12 Oregon State beat No. 2 Duke, 20-16.
    • 1951: In the 37th Rose Bowl, No. 9 Michigan beat No. 5 California, 14-6.
    • 1961: In the first AFL Championship, the Houston Oilers beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 24-16, and quarterback George Blanda had three touchdown passes.
    • 1965: In the 31st Orange Bowl, No. 5 Texas beat No. 1 Alabama, 21-17.
    • 1973: John Newcombe beat Onny Parun and won the Australian Open for men’s tennis.
    • 1975: John Newcombe won his seventh and last career Grand Slam singles title.
    • 1976: Paul Brown retired from the National Football League.
    • 1978: In the AFC Championship, the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders, 20-17.
    • 1988: Miami beat Oklahoma for the college football championship.
    • 1989: Czechoslovakia won the Hopman Cup Tennis title for the first time.
    • 1990: Arantxa Sanchez Vicario beat Pam Shriver and won the Hopman Cup Tennis title. It was Spain’s first title.
    • 1995: Lenny Wilkens became the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.
    • 2003: Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens ran for over 2,000 yards in a season.
    • 2003: Mike Vanderjagt of the Colts made his 41st consecutive field goal.
    • 2008: Sidney Crosby won the first-ever Winter Classic.

     Three athletes who stood out on Jan. 1 were John Newcombe, Lenny Wilkens, and Sidney Crosby.

    Newcombe is a legendary Australian tennis player, nicknamed “Newk,” who dominated the 1960s and 70s with a powerful serve-and-volley game and a record 17 men’s doubles titles. Wilkens is an NBA legend and enshrined three times in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, coach, and as part of the 1992 “Dream Team.” Crosby is a legendary Canadian ice hockey center, nicknamed “Sid the Kid,” and led the Pittsburgh Penguins to multiple Stanley Cups and Canada to Olympic gold.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 26

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    In December, sports enthusiasts can watch NBA and NHL games, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, Grand Prix races, UFC Fight Nights, and some college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 26 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Let’s take a look at some of these moments in the examples below.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 26 include:

    • 1908: Boxer Jack Johnson beat defending champion Tommy Burns in the 14th round and became the first Black man to win the world heavyweight title.
    • 1919: The Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
    • 1925: The New York Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates set an NHL record by getting a combined 141 shots on goal. The Americans ended up winning the game 3-1.
    • 1928: Swimmer Johnny Weissmuller announced his retirement from amateur swimming.
    • 1943: The Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 41-21 to win the NFL championship game. It was the Bears’ sixth title.
    • 1955: The Cleveland Browns beat the Los Angeles Rams 38-14 and won their third NFL championship title.
    • 1960: The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers 17-13, and it was the lone playoff loss for Packers coach Vince Lombardi before he established the Packers dynasty.
    • 1968: The Boston Bruins’ Ted Green set an NHL penalty record of three minors, two majors, and two game misconducts in a game against the New York Rangers.
    • 1971: Muhammad Ali knocked out Jürgen Blin in the seventh round in a non-title heavyweight boxing match.
    • 1972: Soccer player Franz Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1975: In the fifth Fiesta Bowl, No. 7 Arizona State beat No. 6 Nebraska 17-14.
    • 1986: Mark Messier was suspended 10 games for starting a fight with Jamie Macoun and breaking Macoun’s cheekbone.
    • 1989: Marco van Basten won the Ballon d’Or award for the second time.
    • 1991: Joe Mullen scored four goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 12-1.
    • 1991: Coach Chuck Noll retired after being the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969-1991.
    • 1991: New York Islanders player Derek King scored the tying goal against the New Jersey Devils with half a second left in the game.
    • 1992: The San Jose Sharks ended a 13-game losing streak, as they beat the Los Angeles Kings 7-2.
    • 2023: The Detroit Pistons set an NBA single-season record, as they got their 27th straight loss in a row.

    Three individuals who stood out on Dec. 26 were Jack Johnson, Joe Mullen, and Chuck Noll.

    Johnson was known as the “Galveston Giant,” and he was a master of defense and strategy, earning respect (and controversy) for his style and his defiance of the racist status quo. Mullen is a talented American ice hockey player, the first U.S.-born player to score 500 goals and 1,000 points in the NHL, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, and a Hockey Hall of Famer. Noll was a legendary, quiet coach who built the Steelers dynasty, becoming the only coach to win four Super Bowls.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 25

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, Grand Prix races, UFC Fight Nights, and some college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 25 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends, as seen in the examples below.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 25 include:

    • 1914: During World War I, the British and German soldiers declared a temporary ceasefire so that a game of soccer could be played in No Man’s Land.
    • 1930: The Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run in Lake Placid, New York, opened. It was the first American bobsled run that was open to the public.
    • 1956: Detroit Red Wings future Hockey Hall of Fame right winger Gordie Howe got a Christmas hat trick and three assists as the Red Wings beat the New York Rangers 8-1.
    • 1971: The longest game in NFL history happened. The Miami Dolphins beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in a double overtime playoff game. The game lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
    • 1971: The NHL played its last Christmas Day game. It was a tradition that began in 1919.
    • 1973: Ajax soccer player Johan Cruyff won his second Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1978: In the eighth Fiesta Bowl, Arkansas, ranked No. 8, tied No. 15 UCLA 10-10.
    • 1984: Juventus soccer player Michel Platini won the Ballon d’Or award for the second consecutive time.
    • 1984: Knicks forward Bernard King scored 60 points in a game against the New Jersey Nets, but New York still lost 120-114.
    • 1995: Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith scored his record-breaking 25th touchdown of the season as Dallas beat the Arizona Cardinals 37-13.
    • 2004: For the first time since being traded, Shaquille O’Neal faced Kobe Bryant as Shaq’s Heat beat Kobe’s Lakers 104-102.
    • 2008: Head coach Phil Jackson became the sixth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 92-83.
    • 2020: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record of six touchdowns in a game as the Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 52-33.
    • 2024: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson broke the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks, as his total reached 6,110 yards.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 25 were Michel Platini, Phil Jackson, and Alvin Kamara.

    Platini was famous for captaining France to Euro 1984 glory and later serving as president of the Union of European Football Associations before a ban for ethics violations tarnished his legacy. Jackson coached legendary teams such as Jordan’s Bulls and Kobe/Shaq’s Lakers and was known for his Zen-influenced, player-focused leadership style that brought out the best in superstars. Kamara is heralded for being a dynamic, versatile NFL running back and is known for his explosive runs, exceptional receiving skills, and ability to score.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 23

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, F1 auto racing, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 23 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 23 included:

    • 1923: The Yankees sold pitcher Carl Mays to the Reds for $85,000.
    • 1933: The Montreal Canadiens’ Howie Morenz scored his 249th career goal in the NHL.
    • 1951: The Los Angeles Rams beat the Cleveland Browns 24-17 to win the NFL Championship.
    • 1953: Dodgers second baseman Jim Gilliam won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
    • 1962: The Dallas Texans defeated the Houston Oilers 20-17 in double overtime to win the AFL Championship.
    • 1969: AC Milan’s Gianni Rivera won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1972: The Steelers turned a 7-6 defeat into a last-second touchdown against the Raiders to win 13-7.
    • 1972: Arizona State beat Missouri 49-35 in the second Fiesta Bowl.
    • 1972: The New York Islanders ended a 15-game winless streak.
    • 1975: MLB free agency was born. An arbitrator ruled that pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally were free agents, thus ending the reserve clause and creating a path for modern free agency.
    • 1978: Islanders center Bryan Trottier set an NHL record by scoring six points in the second period of a game against the New York Rangers.
    • 1982: NAIA school Chaminade beat top-ranked Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history.
    • 1987: Buffalo goaltender Tom Barrasso picked up his 100th NHL victory.
    • 1996: Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders became the first player in NFL history to record three straight seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards.
    • 1997: Brazil’s Ronaldo became the youngest soccer player to win the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1997: Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson became the quickest to reach 500 career wins.
    • 1997: The Colorado Avalanche’s Jari Kurri became the eighth NHL player to score 600 career goals.
    • 2000: Ledley King scored a goal 10 seconds into a Premier League match, the fastest goal in the league’s history at the time.
    • 2007: Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to hit 20,000 career points.
    • 2008: The Boston Celtics won their 19th consecutive game to set a franchise record.
    • 2022: Alexander Ovechkin moved into second place on the all-time NHL goal-scoring list.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 23 were Bryan Trottier, Barry Sanders, and Phil Jackson.

    Trottier won major awards, such as the Hart (most valuable player) and Art Ross (scoring leader) trophies, and was included as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. Sanders was one of the most electrifying NFL running backs during a stunning career with the Detroit Lions, while Jackson won a record 11 NBA championships as a coach and two as a player with the Knicks.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 22

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, F1 auto racing, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 22 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 22 included:

    • 1924: Babe Dye of the NHL’s Toronto St. Patricks scored five goals in a 10-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
    • 1941: With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Bill Dudley from the University of Virginia.
    • 1962: A player in one of three games scored the 1,000,000th point in NBA history.
    • 1964: Manchester United’s Denis Law won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1969: Pete Maravich set an NCAA record for hitting 30 of 31 foul shots.
    • 1974: Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins became the sixth NHL player to score 500 career goals.
    • 1983: The Indiana Pacers ended their 28-game road losing streak.
    • 1983: The New York Islanders scored three shorthanded goals against the Washington Capitals.
    • 1985: Sweden beat Germany 3-2 to win the Davis Cup.
    • 1987: Michael Jordan scored 52 points in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
    • 1990: Paul Coffey became the second NHL defenseman to record 1,000 points.
    • 1992: AC Milan’s Marco van Basten won his third Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1996: Right-winger Brett Hull scored his 26th career hat trick while scoring his 500th career goal.
    • 1996: Steelers’ quarterback Kordell Stewart ran a record 80 yards for a touchdown.
    • 1997: Scotty Bowman became the first NHL coach to record 200 wins with three different teams.
    • 2003: Pavel Nedvěd of Juventus won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 2003: A day after his father passed away, quarterback Brett Favre threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns.
    • 2012: Tomasz Adamek outpointed Steve Cunningham in a split decision for the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title.
    • 2013: Quarterback Peyton Manning threw his 51st touchdown pass of the season, breaking Tom Brady’s record for the most touchdown passes in a single NFL season.
    • 2019: Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas set an NFL record for most catches in a season with 144.
    • 2020: Lionel Messi broke the record for most goals with one club when he scored his 644th goal for FC Barcelona.
    • 2020: Caitlin Clark picked up her first triple-double at Iowa.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 22 were Paul Coffey, Marco van Basten, and Michael Thomas.

    Coffey revolutionized the position by playing like a fourth forward, and his legendary career earned him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. Van Basten was a legendary Dutch footballer, considered one of the game’s greatest strikers, while Thomas won Offensive Player of the Year and earned the nickname “Can’t Guard Mike.”

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 21

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, F1, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 21 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 21 included:

    • 1891: Students in Springfield, Massachusetts, played the first game of basketball. The U.N. later declared this date as World Basketball Day.
    • 1937: Chicago Blackhawks’ left winger Paul Thompson became the first player in NHL history to score against a brother, Boston Bruins’ goaltender Cecil Thompson.
    • 1941: The Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants 37-9 and became the first team in the NFL championship game era to win consecutive titles.
    • 1944: The Cards’ Marty Marion won the National League Most Valuable Player award.
    • 1959: Tom Landry accepted a coaching job for the Dallas Cowboys, where he remained until 1988.
    • 1969: Vince Lombardi coached his last football game, a 20-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and finished his career with a 105-35-6 record.
    • 1973: Arizona State beat Pittsburgh 28-7 in the third Fiesta Bowl.
    • 1975: The Buffalo Sabres set an NHL record of 40 points, defeating the Washington Capitals 14-2.
    • 1975: Sweden won the Davis Cup for men’s tennis.
    • 1979: Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games played ended at 914.
    • 1980: Harold Carmichael’s streak of 127 games in a row with at least one reception ended.
    • 1981: Cincinnati beat Bradley 75-73 in seven overtimes, which was an NCAA record.
    • 1984: Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams became the second player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.
    • 1984: Brigham Young University beat Michigan 24-17 to win the Holiday Bowl.
    • 1997: Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders was the third football player to run for 2,000 yards in a season.
    • 1999: FC Barcelona’s Rivaldo won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 2005: Joe Sakic became the captain of the 2006 Team Canada Olympic team.
    • 2008: The Detroit Lions were the first NFL team to start a season 0-15.
    • 2009: Goaltender Martin Brodeur set an NHL record with his 104th career shutout.
    • 2010: The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team set an NCAA record with 89 consecutive wins.
    • 2014: Houston Texans’ Andre Johnson became the 10th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions.
    • 2022: Caitlin Clark tied Elena Delle Donne for being the fastest NCAA Division 1 player to reach 2,000 career points.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 21 were Vince Lombardi, Martin Brodeur, and Caitlin Clark.

    Fans remember Lombardi for his discipline, motivational genius, and famous quotes, such as, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” with the Super Bowl trophy named in his honor. Brodeur produced record-breaking statistics with the New Jersey Devils (three Stanley Cups, most wins/shutouts) and took home Olympic gold medals with Team Canada, while Clark’s incredible long-range shooting and court vision have earned her multiple Player of the Year and one Rookie of the Year awards.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 20

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, F1, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 20 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 20 included:

    • 1905: Jack O’Brien defeated defending champion Bob Fitzsimmons to win the World Light Heavyweight boxing title.
    • 1921: Baseball’s commissioner returned to the best-of-seven format for the World Series.
    • 1926: The St. Louis Cardinals traded future Baseball Hall of Fame infielder Rogers Hornsby to the New York Giants for Frankie Frisch and Jimmy Ring.
    • 1938: Boston Bruins’ rookie goaltender Frankie Brimsek recorded his third straight shutout, making it his sixth shutout in his first eight NHL games.
    • 1966: The NBA awarded an expansion franchise to create the Seattle SuperSonics.
    • 1973: Montreal Canadien Henri Richard scored his 1,000th NHL point.
    • 1981: Winnipeg left winger Doug Smail set an NHL record by scoring just four seconds into the Jets’ 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues.
    • 1983: The Montreal Canadiens’ Guy Lafleur became the 10th player in the NHL to score 500 goals.
    • 1985: Denis Potvin passed Bobby Orr as the leader for NHL defensemen.
    • 1985: North Carolina set an NCAA record with 18 blocked shots in an 87-55 win over Stanford.
    • 1987: Sweden defeated India 5-0 to win the Davis Cup.
    • 1994: FC Barcelona’s Hristo Stoichkov won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1998: The Green Bay Packers’ Brett Favre became the first NFL player to throw for more than 30 touchdowns in five different seasons.
    • 2001: France defeated Australia 3-2 to win the Davis Cup.
    • 2005: Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 62 points.
    • 2007: Marian Gaborik scored five goals in an NHL game.
    • 2009: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the first Steelers quarterback to throw more than 500 passing yards in a game.
    • 2014: Kentucky scored the first 24 points in an 83-44 win over UCLA in men’s basketball.
    • 2018: Quarterback Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 20 were Doug Smail, Brett Favre, and Kobe Bryant.

    Smail had a 13-season career in the NHL and holds the Winnipeg Jets franchise record for career shorthanded goals at 25. Favre is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of football’s all-time greats, while Bryant won five NBA championships, Most Valuable Player awards, and Olympic gold medals.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 17

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, and some college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 17 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 17 include:

    • 1924: The Hamilton Tigers and Ottawa Senators played in the first scoreless game in NHL history.
    • 1932: The St. Louis Cardinals traded future Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Bottomley (first baseman) to the Cincinnati Reds.
    • 1933: In the first ever NFL Championship game, the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants 23-21.
    • 1944: The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants, 14-7, and won their sixth NFL Championship title.
    • 1957: Real Madrid soccer player Alfredo Di Stefano won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1963: Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper Lev Yashin won the Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1977: Rookie defenseman Barry Beck scored his first career hat trick and set an NHL record for rookie defensemen with a goal in his sixth straight game.
    • 1983: Wayne Gretzky scored a goal and five assists in an 8-1 game against the Quebec Nordiques.
    • 1984: Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino finished his record-setting season with 5,084 passing yards, 48 touchdown passes, and 362 completions.
    • 1986: Wayne Gretzky scored four goals, including a natural hat trick in the first period against the Quebec Nordiques.
    • 1988: Bryan Murray became the 17th NHL coach to win 300 games.
    • 1988: The New York Islanders ended their 12-game losing streak and beat the Devils 5-2.
    • 1991: The NBA’s most lopsided game happened, as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 148-80.
    • 1999: Ray Bourque became just the third player in NHL history to score 1,100 assists.
    • 2000: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens set an NFL record with 20 catches in a single game.
    • 2005: John Ruiz lost his WBA heavyweight title to Nikolay Valuev, who became the tallest and heaviest heavyweight champion of all time.
    • 2006: Gilbert Arenas set a franchise record with 60 points in a game for the Washington Wizards.
    • 2008: Chris Paul set an NBA record for the most consecutive games with a steal during the 106th match.
    • 2014: 103-year-old Gus Andreone recorded the eighth ace of his career and became the oldest golfer to record a hole-in-one.
    • 2017: Brazilian soccer player Kaká retired.
    • 2019: Fallon Sherrock became the first woman to win a darts match at the PDC World Championship.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 17 were Wayne Gretzky, Gilbert Arenas, and Kaka.

    Gretzky revolutionized the game with his intelligence and vision, transcended the sport to boost hockey’s popularity, especially in the U.S., and had his number 99 jersey retired across the league upon his retirement from pro sports in 1999. Arenas was famous for being a dynamic, high-scoring NBA guard known for his clutch play, his nicknames such as “Agent Zero” and “Hibachi,” and the 2003 Most Improved Player award. Kaka is best known for his incredible talent, dribbling, and creativity during his peak at AC Milan between 2003 and 2009.

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  • This Day in Sports History: December 15

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    Sports in December include the NBA and NHL seasons, NFL teams pushing for the playoffs, the end of the college football season, F1, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. Over the years, Dec. 15 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.

    Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

    Great moments in sports history from Dec. 15 included:

    • 1925: The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Americans 3-1 in the first hockey game at Madison Square Garden.
    • 1935: The Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants 26-7 to win their first NFL Championship.
    • 1946: The Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants 24-14 in the final NFL title game at the Polo Grounds.
    • 1959: Real Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stefano won his second Ballon d’Or award.
    • 1970: Stan Smith and Rod Laver finished with 4-1 records at the end of the first season of the ATP Grand Prix tennis standings.
    • 1973: In a low-scoring NCAA basketball game, Tennessee beat Temple 11-6.
    • 1974: Guillermo Vilas won his first and only season-ending ATP Masters Grand Prix tennis final.
    • 1980: Outfielder Dave Winfield got a 10-year, $16 million contract with the New York Yankees. At the time, he was the highest-paid player in the history of team sports.
    • 1982: Los Angeles Kings’ forward Marcel Dionne became the ninth player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.
    • 1984: Wayne Gretzky scored five goals in a game against the St. Louis Blues.
    • 1992: Arthur Ashe won the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award.
    • 1997: The San Francisco 49ers retired Joe Montana’s number 16 jersey.
    • 2002: USC quarterback Carson Palmer won the 68th Heisman Trophy Award.
    • 2008: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford won the 74th Heisman Trophy Award.
    • 2019: The U.S. defeated the International team to win golf’s Presidents Cup for the eighth consecutive time.
    • 2019: The Raiders played their final NFL game in Oakland.

    Three athletes who stood out on Dec. 15 were Marcel Dionne, Arthur Ashe, and Joe Montana.

    Dionne is a Hockey Hall of Famer (1992) with 731 career goals (5th all-time) and 1,771 points (6th all-time). Ashe was a groundbreaking Black tennis champion who won three Grand Slams, while Montana played for 16 seasons in the NFL and is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

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