This Day in Sports History

In 1994, NASCAR driver Neil Bonnett died during a practice run at Daytona International Speedway.

In 2024, marathoner Kelvin Kiptum died after the car he was driving went off the road and flipped in a ditch.

In 2002, controversy marred the Pairs Figure Skating competition.

In 1990, James 'Buster' Douglas pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history by beating Mike Tyson.

In 1988, Dave 'Tiger' Williams was released by the Hartford Whalers, essentially ending his career. He holds the NHL record for the most penalty minutes of any player to ever skate in...

In 1968, American Peggy Fleming won the only Gold Medal for the US during the '68 Olympics.

In 1992, American Bonnie Blair won her second Gold Medal in the 500m Speed Skating event.

In 1962, American Jim Beatty became the first human to run a sub-4 minute mile indoors.

In 1949, Jumpin' Joe Fulks dropped 63 points to set the record for most points scored in an NBA game. His record stood for a decade until Elgin Baylor scored 64 in 1959.

In 2012, New York Knick Jeremy Lin scored 38 in a 92-85 win against Kobe and the Lakers.<...

In 1992, Magic Johnson returned to play in the NBA All-Star game three months after his retirement from the league due to his HIV diagnosis.

In 1991, Terrible Terry Norris pummeled Sugar Ray Leonard, forcing him to retire once again.

In 2006, Al Michaels was traded to NBC for the rights to Walt Disney's first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

In 1986, golfer Charlie Owens won a Senior PGA tour event. It was the PGA sanctioned event won with an anchored putter.

In 1920, Major League Baseball outlawed the 'spitball' but grandfathered in 17 pitchers to continue...

In 1992, Duke's Christian Laettner went head-to-head with LSU's Shaquille O'Neal.

In 1986, 5'7" Spud Webb won the NBA's Dunk Contest.

In 1996, the NFL and the city of Cleveland reached an agreement to keep the name, colors and history of the Browns franchise in Cleveland.

In 1964, the US won its first Alpine skiing medals in the Winter Olympics.

In 1998, women’s hockey premiered at the Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

In 2023, LeBron James became the all-time scoring leader in the NBA.

In 1970, Pete Maravich set an NCAA single game record by scoring 69 against Alabama.

In 1985, Marshall's Bruce Morris hit the longest shot in NCAA basketball history.

In 2015, legendary college basketball coach Dean Smith passed away. He gifted every one of his former players $200 to have a dinner out on him.

In 1994, Michael Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox to play baseball.

In 1993, NBA rookie Shaquille O’Neal collapsed the entire basket with one of his power dunks.

...

In 1958, a plane carrying the Manchester United English football club crashed in a takeoff attempt in Munich, Germany. Twenty people died at the scene, including 8 players, 3 staff members and eight journalists. One person died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and two others died days later due to their injuries.

In 2017, the Atlanta Falcons built up a 25 point lead over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 only to lose it in overtime.

In 1943, Jake LaMotta beat Sugar Ray Robinson. It was Robinson's first lost as an amateur or pro.

In 1984, golfer Hale Irwin hit a ball that was heading for trouble but caromed off a rock, leading to a tournament win.

In 1960, Boston Celtic Bill Russell grabbed 51 rebounds in a game.

In 2002, the New England Patriots were 14 point underdogs to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI but shocked a lot of people with the 20-17 win for their first in franchise in history.

In 2008, the Patriots were trying to become the first team since the '72 Dolphins to go through the entire season undefeated but the New York Giants spoiled that with their 17-14 win that included the incredible helmet catch by David Tyree.

In 1992, Chicago Bull Michael Jordan was ejected for the first and only time in his NBA career.

In 1993...

In 2019, NC State scored only 24 points. It's the worst performance by a ranked team in the shot clock era.

In 1954, Clarence 'Bevo' Francis scored 113 points against to set a collegiate basketball record.

In 1968, Wilt Chamberlain put together a double triple double with 22 points, grabbed 25 rebounds, and dished 21 assists. It was the only 20-20-20 triple double in the NBA until Russell Westbrook did it in 2019.

In 1997, 'Frisk Me Now’ won a race at Hialeah’s Gulfstream Park as a 106-1 long shot in the $100,000 Hutcheson Stakes.

This is a special episode telling the story of Ben and Valerie Hogan's harrowing day In 1949, when they were nearly killed in a collision with a Greyhound bus.

in 2004, New England beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII in a thriller.

In 2009, Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes' catch in the final minute gave the Steelers the win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

In 1969, Richard Petty's unhappiness with Chrysler led him to switch to Ford for a season. He won his first race behind the blue oval emblem.

In 1984, New York Knick Bernard King scored 50 points for the second consecutive time.

In 1967, the American Basketball Association launched.

In 1988, Washington's Doug Williams became the first black QB to start a Super Bowl and after throwing 4 TDs in the second quarter, leading the Redskins to a 42-10 win over Denver, he also became the first black QB to win the MVP.

In 1993, the Dallas Cowboys beat Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII 52-17. The game is remembered for one play involving Leon Lett and Don Beebe.

In 2013, Phil Mickelson lipped out a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole. Instead of a career defining 59, it was an impressive but oh-so-close 60 instead.

In 1970, LSU's...

In 1983, John Riggins ran for a then Super Bowl record 166 yards and a key touchdown as Washington beat Miami to win SB XVII.

In 2000, Kevin Dyson's stretch for the endzone came up just a little short thanks to a game saving tackle by Mike Jones, preserving the win for St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXIV.

In 1996, Magic Johnson returned to the NBA after a four-year hiatus following his announcement he had HIV.

And in 2018, James Harden scored 60 points in the first 60-point triple double in the NBA. Luka Doncic equaled it in 2022.

In 1995, Steve Young threw a Super Bowl record 6 TDs in a rout of San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX. Jerry Rice had flu like symptoms but still caught three TDs to become the all-time Super Bowl leader in TD catches.

In 2012, Brandt Snedeker's post-tourney press conference was interrupted because he had more golf to play. Leader Kyle Stanley's triple bogey on the final hole plunged him into a tie with Snedeker. Brandt won on the second playoff hole.

In 1980, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers played a marathon 4 overtime game with the Cavs...

In 2007, Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational for his seventh consecutive PGA Tour win.

In 1958, Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella crashed his car and was left paralyzed.

In 1990, San Francisco crushed Denver in the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

In 1975, St. Louis’ Freddie Lewis won the ABA All-Star MVP and was given a horse for his effort.

In 1957, American tennis player Shirley Fry won the Australian Open to win the career singles Grand Slam.

In 1934, the first ever rope tow went into operation at a ski resort.

...

In 2001, Duke erased a 10-point deficit with a minute left at Maryland and then won the game in OT.

In 2024, Wyoming erased an 11-point deficit with a 1:10 left to beat Colorado State in OT.

In 1977, the Bradley Braves scored the first 28-points of the game against New Mexico State but lost. It's the largest lead given up after preventing the other team from scoring.

In 1976, Julius Erving bested David Thompson in the first ever Dunk contest. It took place during halftime of the ABA All-Star game.

In 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers won...

In 1996, Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Dave Schultz was murdered by John DuPont on the Foxcatcher Farm in Pennsylvania.

In 1913, Jim Thorpe was stripped of his 1912 Olympic Gold Medals for accepting $25/week to play baseball in 1910 and 1911.

In 1986, the Chicago Bears beat New England 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.

In 1993, Cheryl Miller scored 105 points in a women's high school basketball game on the same night that her brother Reggie had his best night as a high school baller.

And in 2003, the Terry Tate - Office Linebacker spot debuted during Super Bowl...

In 2010, JamesOn Curry came off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers and played 3.9 seconds. He was subbed for and never played again.

In 1972, the Ohio State vs. Minnesota basketball game ended in a horrible brawl that sent three Buckeye players to the hospital.

In 1924, the first Winter Olympics got started in Chamonix, France.

And in 1939, Joe Louis fought his friend John Henry Lewis as a favor to his friend to provide a decent payday before retiring.

In 1981, New York Islanders' Mike Bossy scored a pair of goals in the closing minutes to score his 50th goal in the first 50 games of the season.

In 1999, David Duval carded 11 birdies and an eagle en route to the third 59 in a PGA Tour Event.

In 1982, a Super Bowl of firsts. First for both teams, first in a cold weather city, first use of the telestrator, first Super Bowl for John Madden in the broadcast booth and the first time the losing team scored more touchdowns than the winner.

And in 1981, ABA and...

In 1971, ABA commissioner Jack Dolph left his briefcase open courtside during the ABA All Star game exposing pro contracts for two college basketball players who still had eligibility. The contracts were noticed and led to an NCAA investigation. When the investigation ended, Villanova had its entire season vacated while Western Kentucky had its postseason erased.

In 1983, Swedish tennis star Bjorn Borg retired surprisingly after a 16-month absence.

In 1944, the Detroit Red Wings beat the New York Rangers 15-0 in what is still the largest margin of victory in the NHL.

And in 2015, Golden...

In 1973, the Sunshine Showdown in Jamaica between Joe Frazier and Joe Foreman. After Foreman put Frazier on the mat, Howard Cosell screamed, 'Down Goes Frazier!'

In 1989, Super Bowl XXIII in Miami between San Francisco and Cincinnati. But there was more going on in Miami that week that nearly caused the game to be relocated.

In 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 in the second best night for an NBA player.

In 1952, Seattle University shocked the Harlem Globetrotters 84-81.

In 1979, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII. The game is known for Jackie Smith's dropped TD pass.

In 1990, John McEnroe became the first player ever disqualified from the Australian Open for misconduct.

In 1984, Bobby Knight unloaded on Michigan head coach Bill Frieder for breaking an 'unwritten rule.'

In 1970, Muhammad Ali vs. Rocky Marciano in the 'Super Fight.' This was a movie version of a computer generated outcome between the two heavyweights.

In 1968, UCLA played Houston in the Astrodome in college basketball's 'Game of the Century.' Elvin Hayes outdueled Lew Alcindor to snap the Bruins 47-game winning streak.

In 1996, Fox Sports debuted the FoxTrax Hockey Puck Tracker.

And in 1980, the Mean Joe Greene Coke commercial became a beloved favorite when it was shown during Super Bowl XIV.

In 1974, Notre Dame beat UCLA 71-70 ending the Bruins 88-game winning streak.

In 1975, UCLA legendary big men Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played against each other for the first time in the NBA.

In 1981, Muhammad Ali talked a suicidal man off a ledge in Los Angeles.

In 1983, minor league hockey player Tom Martin was traded for a bus.

In 2002, did Tom Brady fumble or simply throw an incomplete pass? It was the genesis of the 'Tuck Rule.'

In 1971, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 to Super Bowl X. This was also the first Super Bowl that featured a halftime show.

In 1958, Willie O'Ree became the first black player to play in the NHL when he played for the Boston Bruins.

In 1896, the University of Chicago played the University of Iowa in the first collegiate basketball game that featured 5 man teams.

In 1950, Cleveland Indian pitcher Bob Feller asked for a $20,000 pay cut. He didn't think he deserved the money.

In 1985, Mary Decker ran in a competitive race...

In 1971, Jim O'Brien kicked the game winner in an error-filled Super Bowl V.

In 1999, Minnesota's Gary Anderson picked a bad time to miss his first field goal in two years.

In 1988, Cleveland's Earnest Byner fumbled inside the five to give Denver the ball and the Browns missed out on a Super Bowl.

In 1951, a points shaving scandal rocked college basketball.

In 2000, Paul Azinger won the Sony Invitational. It was his first win in 7 years and it came three months after his good friend Payne Stewart died in a plane accident.

In 1977, the smooth-swinging Bruce Lietzke won the Tucson Open for his first tour win.

In 1905, the Dawson City Nuggets traveled 4000 miles to challenge Ottawa for the Stanley Cup. They failed miserably.

In 1972, Dallas beat Miami 24-6 in Super Bowl 6.

In 1970, Curt Flood officially filed his civil lawsuit against Major League Baseball. It eventually led to free agency.

In 1967, the first Super Bowl was played in Los Angeles.

In 1997, Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman kicked a courtside camera guy.

In 1990, the origin of the 'Trent Tucker' Rule.

In 1878, Harvard's Fred Thayer patented his new invention; the catcher's mask.

In 1973, the Miami Dolphins beat Washington 14-7. It would have been 17-0 if not for Garo Yepremian's unfortunate error.

In 1995, Roberto Duran fought Vinny Pazienza for the second time.

In 1954, former New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe.

In 1976, NASL's Chicago Sting drafter Playboy Playmate Marilyn Lange.

In 1991, Bo Jackson injured his hip and ended his football career.

In 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time.

In 1968, Minnesota North Star Bill Masterton was knocked out on the ice and never regained consciousness. He died on the 15th.

In 1974, the Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota to win their second consecutive Super Bowl.

In 2009, the Dallas Covenant girls basketball team from Dallas beat the Dallas Academy Girls 100-0. It led to the firing of Covenant's coach who was unapologetic about the win.

In 1969, the New York Jets shocked the Baltimore Colts and the world, winning Super Bowl III.

In 2013, Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones for a 70-yard TD pass to tie up an NFL playoff game and then they won in it 2OT.

In 1992, Division II's Troy State beat NAIA opponent DeVry 258 -141 for the highest scoring college basketball game.

In 1956, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Ken Venturi, and Harvie Ward played a memorable match that nearly nobody saw.

In 1987, John Elway engineered the 'Drive' on the road at Cleveland to advance to the Super Bowl.

In 1983, Edmonton’s Pat Hughes scored two short-handed goals in a span of 25 seconds, breaking a record set by Wayne Gretzky.

And in 1953, J. Edgar Hoover turned down a $100,000 offer to take over as chairman of the board of the International Boxing Club.

In 1980, newly hired LSU football coach Bo Rein died in a plane accident.

In 1982, San Francisco's Joe Montana found Dwight Clark in the back of the endzone for the winning touchdown to beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship.

In 1982, Cincinnati beat the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game. The temperature at game time was minus 9 but with a sustained wind of 27 miles per hour, it made it feel like -59. It became known as the Freezer Bowl.

In 2004, Carolina Panthers QB Jake Delhomme found Steve Smith for the game...

In 1971, Maryland beat #2 South Carolina in a slow down game.

In 1972, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers to end their 33-game winning streak. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar outdueled Wilt Chamberlain.

In 1963, Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown was fired by owner Art Modell. Brown was a true innovator in the game and went on to start up and coach the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 2005, Minnesota's Randy Moss caught a touchdown pass and then fake mooned the fans at Lambeau field.

In 2011, Seattle's Marshawn Lynch broke 8 tackles on his way to a touchdown. The roar from the crowd registered as a tremor on local seismic devices.

In 2000, the Tennessee Titans used the 'Home Run Throw Back' to pull off the Music City Miracle agains the Buffalo Bills.

In 2012, Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas for the game winner against Pittsburgh on the first play of OT.

In 1955, Georgia Tech shocked the Kentucky Wildcats and snapped their 129 home winning streak.

In 1972, the NCAA ruled that freshmen could play basketball and football.

In 1984...

In 2017, the Nevada Wolfpack trailed by 19 with 4 1/2 to play, were down 14 with 1:04 left to tie it up and send it to OT and then win it 105-104.

In 2007, second ranked LSU beat #1 Ohio State 38-24 to win the National Championship. It was first time that a team with two losses won a title since 1960.

In 1980, the Philadelphia Flyers lost. It was their first loss since Oct. 13th. Between, the Flyers went 35 games without losing (25 wins, 10 ties).

In 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first game.

In 1954, Fort Wayne Piston Jack Molinas played...

In 1950, Ben Hogan played his first competitive round after his near fatal car crash 11-months prior.

In 1961, Arnold Palmer carded a 12 on a par 4.

In 2014, Florida State erased an 18-point deficit to beat Auburn and win the BCS Championship.

In 2018, Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariotta caught his own pass and scored a touchdown to help beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 1991, Nancy Kerrigan was assaulted by Shane Stant as she completed a practice session in Detroit ahead of the US Championships.

In 1951, the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals...

In 2003, the San Francisco 49ers came from 24 points down to beat the New York Giants in Wildcard Playoff game. There was a controversial end that led NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue to say it was the worst reffing blunder in his 13 year career.

In 1971, boxer Sonny Liston was found dead in his Las Vegas home. Was he murdered for not taking a dive?

In 1988, Pete Maravich died playing a pickup game in Pasadena, Calif. He was 40.

And in 1991, US International’s Kevin Bradshaw bested Maravich's single-game scoring record when he scored 72 points in a lo...

In 2004, Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck made a bold statement but didn't deliver.

In 1981, the Cleveland Browns Brian Sipe threw an interception to end their season on a play called 'Red Right 88.' The reason they ran it was due to their kicker struggling to kick the ball straight.

In 1976, 48-year old George Blanda played his final game, wrapping up a 27 year career that spanned four decades.

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Also on this day in 2006 (but not mentioned in this episode), #1 Texas beat #2 USC to win the Rose Bowl and the National Championship. Texas' Vince...

In 1973, George Steinbrenner and 11 others bought the New York Yankees from CBS.

In 1946, jockey George Wolff fell off his mount in a horse race and died the following day.

In 1983, Dallas Cowboy Tony Dorsett scored the longest rushing touchdown in NFL history.

In 1987, the Cleveland Browns beat the New York Jets in the 'Marathon by the Lake.'

In 1993, (though not mentioned during this edition of This DiSH) the Buffalo Bills pulled off the largest comeback in NFL playoff history, erasing a 32 point deficit to beat Houston.

In 1984, Washington's...