This Day in Sports History

In 1984, BYU beat a 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl to finish the year as the only undefeated team in Division I-A. But they didn't really beat anybody and an error filled win over an average Wolverine team had many questioning if the Cougars deserved to be crowned National Champions.

In 2003, the New Orleans Saints scored on a final second, lateral filled play but John Carney missed the game tying PAT and the Saints lost and missed out on the playoffs.

In 1891, James Naismith divided a group of 18 boys into two teams of 9 players...

In 1971, Tennessee benefitted from two controversial calls made by an SEC ref to beat Arkansas (then in the SWC) in the Liberty Bowl. A rule change followed this game to prevent officials from calling a post-season bowl game with an affiliated league team.

In 1980, NBC experimented with showing an NFL game with no announcers.

In 2003, Joe Namath expressed his desire to kiss ESPN's Suzy Kolber during an interview of a Jets/Patriots game.

In 1996, 3-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser and a friend got lost in a blizzard and stranded for two days in...

In 1980, BYU overcame a 20-point deficit in the final four minutes to beat SMU 46-45.

In 2010, Philadelphia overcame a 21-point deficit with eight minutes to play to beat the New York Giants.

In 1948, Philadelphia beat the Chicago Cardinals to win their first NFL Championship.

In 1992, Marshall won the I-AA National Championship using a guy who'd never kicked in college field goal.

In 2002, Marshall rallied from a second half deficit to beat ECU in the GMAC Bowl.

In 1976, a small plane crashed into Baltimore's Memorial Stadium shortly after a playoff...

In 1999, Oliver Stone's movie about professional football, 'Any Given Sunday,' was released in theaters. The NFL tried to stop the movie from being made, released, and promoted.

In 2001, fans protested refs bad calls and decisions by throwing beer bottles on the field.

In 1945, a pass off the goalpost resulted in 2 points and a rule change.

In 1973, Buffalo Bills running back OJ Simpson became the first to rush for 2000 yards in a season.

In 2019, Drew Brees set an NFL record by completing 97% of his passes, including 22 in a row.

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In 1973, #1 and seven-time National Champion UCLA played #2 NC State in a made for TV event in St. Louis.

On that same day, Temple traveled to Knoxville to play Tennessee in what turned out to be one of the worst games played in the 20th century.

In 1968, Philadelphia Eagles fans booed Santa Claus and pelted him with snow balls.

In 2019, the Raiders played their final home game in Oakland.

In 1980, the Minnesota Vikings pulled off a 'Hail Mary' to beat the Cleveland Browns.

In 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders went from famine to feast in a week against the Los Angeles Chargers.

In 1997, Marshall's Keith Veney hit 15 three-pointers in a game against Morehead State to set the NCAA record for treys in a game.

In 2021, Golden State's Steph Curry passed Ray Allen to become the NBA's three-point king.

In 2019, LSU's Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy with the highest percentage of First place votes.

In 2016, a former Wake Forest player and assistant coach was revealed to be a mole, giving proprietary game info to opposing teams in 2014 and 2016.

In 1983, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in 3OTs. It's the highest scoring game in NBA history.

In 1971, future NFL Head Coach Andy Reid participated in a televised halftime Punt, Pass, and Kick competition during Monday Night Football.

In 1977, the plane carrying the Evansville men's basketball team crashed, killing all 29 on board.

In 1997, Michigan's Charles Woodson became the first and still only defensive player to...

In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons played and beat a group of Notre Dame All-Stars, featuring the famed 'Four Horsemen.' The Maroons were stripped of their recently won NFL Title, fined, and banished from the league.

Music used under a Creative Commons license. Available at Free Music Archive:

Lobo Loco - Streetlife

In 1982, Mark Henderson drove his John Deere out onto the turf to clear a spot for New England kicker John Smith to kick the game winning field goal.

In 2002, high school phenom LeBron James made his TV debut as ESPN2 broadcast his high school game.

In 1978, Boston Celtics player/coach Dave Cowens first fouled out as a player and then was ejected as the coach.

In 1965, Chicago Bears rookie Gale Sayers scored 6 touchdowns in a variety of ways in a 61-20 win of San Francisco.

In 1968, tennis pioneer Arthur Ashe became...

In 1938, the New York Giants became the first franchise to win multiple championships.

In 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneerrs won their first ever game.

In 1985, the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks combined to score 21 goals.

In 1981, Muhammad Ali fought his fight, losing in a decision to Trevor Berbick.

In 1951, Joe DiMaggio retired.

In 2002, Michael Jordan playing for the Washington Wizards played against Scottie Pippen and the Portland Trailblazers.

In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 55 and pulled 17 boards in a win against Boston. It was highest point output in a game in his career.

In 1971, the New York Mets traded pitcher Nolan Ryan to the California Angels for shortstop Jim Fregosi.

In 2002, the Texas Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252 million deal.

In 1989, New York Giant Gary Reasons came up with 'the Hit' against Denver to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard.

In 2017...

In 2018, the Miami Dolphins pulled off a two-lateral final play to stun the New England Patriots.

In 1984, LA Rams running back Eric Dickerson broke OJ Simpson's single season rushing record.

In 1934, the 5-foot, 140 pound equipment guy for the New York Giants was the biggest man on the field after finding nine pairs of sneakers.

In 2001, Notre Dame hired George O'Leary as their coach. His tenure lasted five days.

In 1977, LA Laker Kermit Washington punched Houston Rocket Rudy Tomjanovich during a game, nearly killing him. That moment affected both players negatively for...

In 2013, a huge snow storm blanketed several NFL cities in snow, making for some interesting games. Detroit at Philadelphia, Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay, Kansas City Chiefs at Washington, Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh, and then the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens played a wild final 2:05.

In 1940, the Chicago Bears leveled a good amount of fury against the Washington Redskins with their 73-0 win.

In 1961, Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points for the single game scoring record. It was a prelude for what he would do four months later.

In 1980, the San Francisco 49ers pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history.

In 1935, Washington's Byron Haines scored all the points for both teams in a college football game.

In 2006, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns duelled with Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in a 2OT thriller.

In 1977, Gordie Howe scored career goal #1000

In 1963, instant replay made its debut during a football game.

In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons beat the Chicago Cardinals 21-7 to win the unofficial NFL championship.

In 1925, Red Grange and the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants in front of 70,000 at the Polo Grounds.

In 1970, the Oakland Raiders beat the New York Jets on a final play miracle.

In 1992, San Francisco 49ers WR Jerry Rice caught his 101st TD, passing Steve Largent for most TD receptions.

In 1997, the Tennessee Volunteers turned the ball over 6 times and still managed to beat Auburn in the SEC Title game.

In 1961, Syracuse RB...

Tonight, it will be the 28th Annual Silent Night Game at Taylor University. The students are silent until the Trojans scores their 10th point. The last two minutes are spent singing 'Silent Night' in unison.

In 1974, the Birmingham Americans played the Florida Blazers in the first ... and only World Bowl. The Americans beat the Blazers 22-21.

In 1969, the #1 Texas Longhorns played at #2 Arkansas. President Richard Nixon was at the game and awarded Texas a National Championship plaque after the game.

In 2002, Roone Arledge passed away at the age of 71. He was the most...

In 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their 26th game in a row to set the current NFL record for consecutive games without a win.

In 1971, the Tennessee Volunteers snapped Penn State's 15-game winning streak thanks to Bobby Majors and 6 Nittany Lion turnovers.

In 1988, Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech in a shootout in Tokyo. Sanders won the Heisman earlier in the day and then rolled up 257 yards rushing and over 300 all-purpose yards and 4 touchdowns against the Red Raiders in a 45-41 win.

In 1960, Baltimore's Johnny Unitas threw a TD pass for the 47th straight...

In 1950, the Cleveland Browns beat the Philadelphia Eagles without throwing a single pass. It's the last time an NFL team has gone an entire game without a pass attempt.

In 1950, LA Ram WR Tom Fears caught 18 passes to set a new NFL record. It was not broken for another 50 years.

In 1950, Detroit Lion Cloyce Box had 12 catches for 302 yards and 4 TDs. His 302 yards receiving came up just a yard short of tying the previous record.

In 1989, Philadelphia Eagle Randall Cunningham, usually the QB, stepped in as the punter and boomed a 91-yarder.

In 1985, after the Miami Dolphins put 31 points on the Chicago Bears, Head Coach Mike Ditka and Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan may or may not have come to blows in a dispute at half.

In 1972, Auburn blocked two punts and returned them for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to turn a 16-0 deficit into a 17-16 win in the Iron Bowl.

In 1950, Navy snapped Army's 28-game winning streak preventing the Cadets a National Title in the process.

In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings scored 9 goals on Montreal Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy in less than two...

In 1985, Green Bay and Tampa Bay played in the 'Snow Bowl' featuring 14 inches of snow and 36,000 empty seats in Lambeau.

In 2007, the LSU Tigers beat Tennessee in the SEC Championship game and then watched Oklahoma beat top-ranked Missouri and then unranked Pitt upset #2 West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. LSU win paired with the losses put the Tigers in the BCS title game.

In 1963, Wendell Scott became the first black driver to win a NASCAR race but there was some controversy. Was it racism or simple human error?

In 1997, Latrell Sprewell choked and...

In 1959, the Washington Redskins selected OL Ernest Barnes out of NCCU in the 8th round of the NFL draft but when they realized he was black, they rescinded their pick. The Baltimore Colts selected him in the 10th round. He went on to become better known for his art.

In 1987, Bo Jackson met Brian Bosworth as the Raiders beat the Seahawks in the first meeting between the NFL rookies.

In 1974, Southern Cal scored 55 unanswered points to beat Notre Dame 55-24.

In 2013, Auburn's Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 109 yards for the game...

In 1987, Lee Trevino won five skins on the par 3 17th to win the Skins Event featuring Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Fuzzy Zoeller and Trevino.

In 1980, Western Carolina Catamount Ronnie Carr hit the first three point shot in NCAA history.

In 1989, Oklahoma scored an NCAA record 97 points in the first half against US International.

In 1934, it was the first NFL game played on Thanksgiving Day.

In 1992, New York Jets defensive lineman Dennis Byrd was paralyzed during a game.

In 1972, the video game Pong was released.

In 1974, Clint Longley replaced an injured Roger Staubach and rallied the Dallas Cowboys for what NFL FIlms called 'The Greatest Thanksgiving Day game' ever.

In 1996, Kansas City running back Marcus Allen passed Walter Payton on the all-time rushing touchdown list. Allen scored another later in the game to lift the Chiefs to the win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.

In 1895, the first auto race started in Chicago.

In 1929, Chicago Cardinals' Ernie Nevers scored an NFL record 40 points in a 40-6 over the Bears.

In 1925, Montreal Canadiens' goalie Georges Vezina collapsed...

In 1980, the Chicago Bears beat the Detroit Lions in the first overtime game played on Thanksgiving.

In 1952, the Dallas Texans won their first and only game on Thanksgiving thanks to a guy named Tripucka.

In 1926, Carnegie Tech beat Notre Dame 19-0 in one of the great upsets in college football history.

In 1984, Dan Marino's 'fake spike' led to a Miami game-winning touchdown toss to beat the New York Jets.

In 1996, the Utah Jazz pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA history.

In 1976, Oklahoma beat Nebraska 20-17, scoring on two trick plays on the final drive.

In 2016, Syracuse and Pitt combined to score 137 points to set a new FBS record for points in a regulation four quarter game in the modern era. It's now second on that list.

In 1998, Phil Luckett misheard Jerome Bettis' call of 'Tails' on the coin flip prior to overtime preventing the Pittsburgh Steelers from getting the football. Detroit took advantage and won the game.

In 2010, Cam Newton led Auburn to a comeback against Alabama in the Iron Bowl but it's...

In 1993, Dallas' Leon Lett committed his second blunder in 10 months. This one cost his Cowboys the game.

In 1971, undefeated and top-ranked Nebraska beat #2 Oklahoma in college football's 'Game of the Century.'

In 2023, Alabama converted a fourth and goal from the 21 to score the game winning touchdown to beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

In 1950, a blizzard and brutally cold temperatures provided a stark backdrop for two football games. First in Knoxville in a game between #3 Kentucky and #5 Tennessee. It also had an effect on the Michigan-Ohio State game.

And in 1953...

In 1963, two days after the assassination of JFK, the NFL made the controversial decision to play games. Dallas was in Cleveland but because they represented the city where the President had been shot, they were not welcome.

In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys played their first Thanksgiving day game. Every year since with the exception of 1975 and 1977, they have played on Thanksgiving.

In 1973, #1 Ohio State and #4 Michigan played to a 10-10 tie. Otherwise, both were undefeated and so the automatic bid to the Rose Bowl went to a secret vote.

In 2018, Texas A&M beat...

This is a bonus episode for Nov. 23.

In 1996, Alabama scored the winning points in the final 30 seconds to beat Auburn and win the Iron Bowl.

In 1975, a Middleweight fight between Wilford Scypion and Willie Classen had a tragic end but led to needed changes to boxing.

In 1984, Doug Flutie found Gerard Phelan on the final play to win 'The Miracle in Miami.'

In 1991, Michigan's Desmond Howard returned a punt 93 yards for the touchdown and then struck the Heisman pose in the endzone.

In 2007, top-ranked LSU lost for the second time in 2007. The Arkansas Razorbacks topped the Tigers in overtime.

In 1957, NC State's Dick Christie scored every point in the Wolfpack 29-26 win over South Carolina to win the ACC regular season title.

In 2003, the Baltimore Ravens came back from a 17-point deficit behind their third string...

In 1975, Ohio State scored two TDs in the final 3:30to beat Michigan 21-14 but its what happened in the week leading up to the game that was the story.

In 2014, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech played one of the worst college football games in the history of the game.

In 1950, the Minneapolis Lakers and Fort Wayne Pistons combined for just 37 points. It was the lowest scoring game in NBA history. It was one of the games used to create the 24-second shot clock.

In 1987, Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight was ejected from an exhibition game and then pulled his team off the floor.

In 1949, Bill Veeck sold the Cleveland Indians to pay $2.2 million towards his divorce settlement with his first wife.

In 1981, Southern Cal's Marcus Allen closed out his college career with 219 yards rushing and his 2 TDs in a win over UCLA.

In 1925, Red Grange played his final game with Illinois and then announced he was signing with the Chicago Bears.

And in 1969, Bob Cousy returned to the NBA as a player/coach for...

In 1971, Michigan scored a late touchdown and then came up with a interception to secure the 10-7 win over Ohio State.

In 1993, Boston College walk-on kicker David Gordon ended the national championship dreams of Notre Dame to give the Eagles the win in the Holy War.

In 1982, the Stanford band stepped on the field a bit too soon.

Also in 1982, SMU and Arkansas played to a 17-17 tie. Mustangs coach Bobby Collins kicked the tying PAT instead of going for 2 with three minutes left.

In 2018, the LA Rams and Kansas City Chiefs combined for 105 points and 1001 total yards in the Greatest Monday Night Football game.

In 1983, the Oregon State Beavers and the Oregon Ducks played in monsoon like conditions and finished in a 0-0 tie.

In 1978, Philadelphia Eagle Herm Edwards picked up a New York Giants fumble and ran it in for the score in the original 'Miracle at the Meadowlands.'

In 1989, the US Men's National Team beat Trinidad-Tobago 1-0 to advance to the 1990 World Cup. Paul Caligiuri scored the lone goal. That goal turned out...

In 2006, #1 Ohio State vs. #2 Michigan in the 'Game of the Century.' There were 81 combined points and 900 combined total yards.

In 1967, #1 UCLA vs. #2 USC in the 'Game of the Century.' OJ Simpson had the game winning score on one of the greatest runs in college football.

In 1985, New York LB Lawrence Taylor sacked Washington QB Joe Theisman. The result was a comminuted compound fracture of the tibia and the fibula. Theisman never played again.

In 2017, South Africa’s Zolani Tete won his WBO bantamweight title fight over fellow countryman Siboniso Gonya in 11-s...

In 1968, the dramatic finish to the New York Jets vs. Oakland Raiders game was not seen on the east coast, replaced by the made for NBC movie "Heidi."

In 1991, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley was paralyzed during a game against the LA Rams.

In 1973, Miller Barber won the 144-hole World Open Golf Championship.

In 1990, Houston's David Klingler threw 11 TDs in a game against Eastern Washington.

In 1959, Syracuse's Jim Brown scored 43 points in his final collegiate game to break the NCAA record. It has since been topped by three others.

In 2013, two weeks before the 'Kick Six', Auburn had another miracle finish to beat Georgia.

In 1957, the Oklahoma Sooners lost for the first time in four years.

In 1975, St. Louis Cardinal receiver Mel Gray caught the game tying touchdown, but it was more a phantom catch than a real catch. The Cardinals won in OT.

In 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles released a player that hadn’t played for them for 29 years.

In 2008, the Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals ended a game tied 13-13. Philly QB Donovan McNabb didn't know that ties were still a...

In 1953, a first half injury to Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham led to the first face mask being added to a helmet at halftime so he could play the second half.

In 1992, Alan Kulwicki nursed his car around Atlanta Motor Speedway to win the points championship by the slimmest of margins.

In 1960, Elgin Baylor scored 71 in the nightcap of an NBA doubleheader at Madison Square Garden.

In 1991, PGA Tour player Andy Bean holed his third shot on a 653 yard, par 6 for the longest ever double eagle in a PGA Tour event.

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In 1970, the plane carrying Marshall's football crashed short of the runway, killing all 75 aboard.

In 1988, the plane carrying Davis Love, Jr, and three others crashed short of the Jacksonville, FL airport, killing all aboard.

In 1899, the Sewanee football team completed a tour of playing five games in six days. They won all of them and did not allow a single point to be scored on them.

In 2012, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit an unreal bicycle kick in a international friendly between his Swedish National Team and England.

Here's the video of Zlatan's goal...

In 1994, Michael Schumacher beat Damon Hill by one point to win the Formula One.

In 1977, Houston Oilers Head Coach Bum Phillips said Oakland's Ray Guy had to be puttiing helium in the football.

In 1967, Indiana Pacer Jerry Harkness hit the longest shot in professional basketball history.

In 1947, Wataru Misaka became the first person of color to play professional basketball.

In 1979, Daryl Dawkins broke his first backboard.

In 2016, Pitt beat #2 Clemson in Death Valley, coming up with a goal line interception, stopping them on a late 4th and 1, and getting a game winning 48-yard FG.

In 1892, Pudge Heffelfinger became the first professional football player.

In 1990, Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Buddy Ryan promised to put Washington Redskins in body bags in their MNF matchup. Nine Washington players were injured in a 28-14 win.

In 1988, Esa Tikkanen scored two short-handed goals 12 seconds apart, the fastest two such goals were scored in NHL history.

In 1920, Major League Baseball owners named Kenessaw...