This Day in Sports History

In 1984, Bill Johnson became the first American to win an Olympic downhill race. In 1953, Boston's Ted Williams crash-landed his fighter plane in Korea and survived.In 1926. France's Suzanne Lenglen defeated American Helen Wills in what was deemed the 'Match of the Century'. In 2005, the NHL became the first major professional league to cancel an entire season. In 2024, Jordan Spieth signed an incorrect scorecard and was disqualified from a PGA Tournament. It led to a rules adjustment.

In 1998, Dale Earnhardt, Sr won the Daytona 500 on his 20th try.In 2004, Dale Earnhardt, Jr won his firt Daytona 500 in his 5th try. In 1976, David Pearson won his first Daytona 500 in the slowest finish. In 1994, the Kentucky Wildcats erased a 31-point second half deficit to beat LSU in the greatest comeback in College Basketball History. In 2018, Denver's Nikola Jokic notched the fastest triple-double in NBA history. In 2017, Duke freshman Jason Tatum got some interesting motivation from Coach K at halftime. It motivated him to finish with his college best 28...

In 1951, Sugar Ray Robinson fought Jake LaMotta for the sixth and final time. The fight went 13 rounds with Robinson pounding LaMotta for the final four. In 1992, Great Britain's Eddie the Eagle competed in the Calgary Winter Olympics. In 1992, Bobby Allison nipped his son Davey to win the Daytona 500. In 1986, Boston Celtic Larry Bird played a game shooting with his left hand. In 1991, Michael Jordan wore #12 for the only time in his career after his jersey was stolen from the visiting team locker room in Orlando.

In 1960, 37 cars were involved in a first lap crash during a 250 mile race at Daytona International Speedway.In 1977, three years before he won 5 gold medals at Lake Placid, Eric Heiden became the first American to win the World Championships in Speed Skating.In 1984, American skier Debbie Armstrong shocked everybody by winning gold in the Women's Giant Slalom.In 1968, the East German women's lugers finished first, second, and fourth but were disqualified for apparently heating up their runners. Documents revealed in 2006 suggests their DQ was a setup after a bribe.In 1964, Chicago...

In 2005, UNLV erased a 10-point deficit with less than 20 seconds left to win in OT.In 1972, the US Hockey team beat Poland 6-1 and won the Silver medal in a miracle that you've never heard of.In 2018, Dutch skater Ireen Wüst won gold in the 1500m speed skating event for her fourth gold medal in four consecutive Winter Olympics. She would win another four years later to become the only woman to win gold in five consecutive Olympic games.In 1940, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson played an 18-hole playoff at the Texas O...

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. ...