This Day in Sports History

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.

...

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...

In 1911, Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School upset powerhouse Harvard 18-15.

In 1985, Philadelphia Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh died after being involved in a car accident on the 10th.

In 1990, Kansas City's Derrick Thomas sacked Seattle QB Dave Kreig seven times to set an NFL record that still stands.

In 1961, a University of South Carolina fraternity pulled a pre-game prank against rival Clemson. It probably had no effect on the outcome but USC did beat Clemson that day, 21-14.

In 2007, Phil Mickelson won the HSBC Champions of China in Shanghai, despite...

In 1928, Knute Rockne delivered his 'Win one for the Gipper' speech to fire up his Notre Dame team to go beat Army.

In 1984, Maryland erased a 31-point halftime deficit against Miami to win 42-40.

In 2018, Davidson rushed for 789 yards in a 56-52 loss to San Diego.

In 1957, Charlie Sifford became the first black player to win a professional golf tournament.

In 1985, Ron Jaworski hit receiver Mike Quick for a 99-yard strike to end a game against Atlanta.

In 1974, Michigan State upset #1 Ohio State. The Buckeyes final TD was denied. It took 45 minutes for game officials and the Big Ten commissioner to determine who actually won it.

In 1984, Julius Erving and Larry Bird got in a fight in the Boston Garden.

In 1946, in a game between #2 Notre Dame and top-ranked Army that was billed as the Greatest Offensive Battle in the History of College Football’ ended in a 0-0 tie.

In 2012, Davidson Day School (NC) QB Will Grier set the national high school single game passing yardage record, completing 34 passes for 834 ya...

In 1958, Ohio State's Jim Marshall returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and followed that up later with an interception return for a touchdown. The guy who became known for going the wrong way on a fumble recovery in the NFL in 1964, actually knew how to get to the right endzone.

In 1997, the Nebraska Cornhuskers benefitted from a missed call to score a touchdown with no time left in regulation to force overtime.

In 1980, Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson launched an impressive aerial attack against Ohio State despite the fact that the Big Ten was desperately...

In 1896, students at Auburn played one of the greatest pranks on the Georgia Tech football team.

In 2015,. Nebraska benefitted from a controversial call and referee review to beat undefeated Michigan State.

In 1925, Northwestern kicker Tiny Lewis kicked a field goal on the way to handing Michigan a 3-2 loss.

In 1991, Magic Johnson announced he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and retired from basketball.

In 1999, Tiger Woods won the inaugural World Golf Championship played that year in Valderama, Spain.

In 1993, it was the REPEAT or REVENGE fight outside at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace between Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe. The fight became known for 'Fan Man' crashing into the ringside ropes and lights.

In 1869, Rutgers and the school that would soon become known as Princeton played what is considered to be the first college football game.

In 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced that his franchise would be moving to Baltimore to start play the next season.

In 1974, Los Angeles reliever Mike Marshall became the first relief pitcher to win the Cy Yo...

In 1989, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Jerry Burns went on a post-game rant defending his Offensive Coordinator Bob Schnelker.

In 1994, 45-year old George Foreman shocked the boxing world, knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the Heavyweight title.

In 2000, Tiger Woods coughed up his 54-hole lead for just the second time in his career. Phil Mickelson started the day a shot behind and shot a 66 to win by two.

In 1946, Chuck Connors broke a backboard in the pre-game shoot around, becoming the first pro basketball player to do so.

...

In 1951, golfer Skip Alexander won 8 and 7 in his singles Ryder Cup match. The amazing thing is that he was even on the golf course after being the sole survivor of a plane crash 14-months prior.

In 1977, Los Angeles High School WR Steve Martinez caught 19 passes for 312 yards and five TDs in one half. He would have had more but the other team hopped on the bus and left.

In 2001, the Chicago Bears DB Mike Brown picked off a pass and returned it for the game winning touchdown for the second straight week.

In 1979...

In 1979, retired Dallas Cowboy Defensive End, Ed 'Too Tall' Jones stepped into the boxing ring for the first time.

In 1962, a meeting between Oakland Raider team officials and a reporter led to what we know today as Fantasy Football.

In 1990, the 16th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beat #1 Virginia.

In 1990, Houston and TCU engaged in an aerial battle over the state of Texas.

In 2012, the Brooklyn Nets unveiled their new mascot, the Brooklyn Knight. It did not go well.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Soap - Shave...

In 1935, Notre Dame scored twice in the final two minutes to beat Ohio State 18-13.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

In 1990, Golden State and Denver combined to score 320 points. It's the most in an NBA game that ended in regulation.

In 2002, Manchester United's Diego Forlan scored and then ripped his shirt off to celebrate. he had trouble re-dressing and it led to FIFA ruling that shirtless celebrations henceforth would result in a yellow card.

In 1988, a San Francisco radio station reported the boxer Mike Tyson had been killed...

In 2012, former MLB pitcher Pascual Perez was found dead after a home invasion.

In 2005, the New Orleans Hornets opened their season in Oklahoma City. What happened on this day and the next two years led to the move of the Sonics to OKC.

In 2015, Drew Brees threw for an NFL record tying 7 TDs while Eli Manning threw 6 TDs, 0 Ints.

In 1964, George Blanda set an AFL record with 68 pass attempts.

In 1924, the Lafayette Leopards became the first team to ever use a huddle to call plays in a football game.

...

In 1987, the Indianapolis Colts pulled off a 3 team, 10 player trade to land Eric Dickerson.

In 1959, LSU's Billy Cannon returned a punt 89-yards for a touchdown that turned out to be the game winner in a 7-3 win over Ole Miss.

In 1950, Earl ‘Big Cat’ Lloyd became the first black player to play in an NBA game.

In 1993, Greg Norman coughed up a lead on the back nine on Sunday at the PGA Tour Championship to gift Jim Gallagher his third win of the year.

In 1994, Serena Williams made her professional tennis debu...

In or around this day in 1935, Montreal Maroons player Herb Cain was nearly killed during a practice.

In 1897, University of Georgia football player Richard von Gammon died after suffering an injury during a game. It nearly led to college football being outlawed.

In 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the Heavyweight title in Kinshasa, Zaire in 'The Rumble in the Jungle.'

In 1954, , the NBA used a 24 second shot clock for the first time and the first game that used it featured the Boston Celtics playing the Rochester Royals.

In 1963...

In 1985, Chicago's Michael Jordan injured his left foot.

In 1999, it was a somber day on the PGA tour. This was the first round after Payne Stewart's plane crash on Monday.

In 2023, Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown for the 17th consecutive game. That tied him with Hall of Famer Lenny Moore.

In 1921, tiny Centre College beat Harvard 6-0 in one of the all-time great college football upsets.