Sports History – January 12
Because there are times the sports events of the past deserve their own page.
1960 – Dolph Schayes of the Syracuse Nationals became the first pro basketball player in the NBA to score more than 15,000 points in his career.
1967 – The Louisville draft board refused an exemption to Muhammad Ali, who then declared that he would refuse to serve in the Army and publicly considered himself a conscientious objector.
Appearing for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces on April 28, 1967 in Houston, Ali refused three times to step forward at the call of his name. An officer warned him he was committing a felony punishable by five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Once more, Ali refused to budge when his name was called. As a result, he was arrested. On the same day the New York State Athletic Commission suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title. Other boxing commissions followed suit. Ali would not be able to obtain a license to box in any state for over three years.
1969 – In the most celebrated performance of his career, quarterback Joe Namath delivered on his guarantee as the New York Jets stunned the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, 16-7 in Super Bowl III.
Namath’s brash confidence was never more on display than in a public appearance in the days leading up to the game, when he assured a heckler that the Jets (19-point underdogs) would beat the Colts, even going so far as to say “I guarantee it.” While Namath got the glory, it was the Jets’ defense (3 interceptions) and running back Matt Snell (#41 above – 121 yards rushing) who keyed the victory.
1975 – The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6 to win Super Bowl IX. The Pittsburgh “Steel Curtain” defense limited the Vikings to Super Bowl record lows of nine first downs, 119 total offensive yards, and 17 rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ offense piled up 333 yards of total offense, including 158 rushing yards from Franco Harris.
1983 – Brooks Robinson and Juan Marichal were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
1988 – Willie Stargell was the sole eligible candidate to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Pitcher Jim Bunning was denied election by just four votes but he was eventually voted in by the Veterans Committee in 1996.
1994 – Steve Carlton was the sole eligible candidate to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
2001 – Triple Crown winner Affirmed – famous for his spectacular duels with Alydar, whom he met ten times, including in all three Triple Crown races in 1978 – was euthanized after falling seriously ill with laminitis, a circulatory hoof disease. During his illustrious career, Affirmed made 29 starts (22 wins, 5 seconds, one third).
2009 – Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. It was Henderson’s first appearance on the ballot. For Rice, election came on his 15th and final chance.
2012 – Mile High Miracle: Trailing the Denver Broncos 35-28 with 1:09 remaining in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco heaved a 70-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jacoby Jones to tie the game. The Ravens would win in overtime and go on to win the Super Bowl.
Compiled by Ray Lemire ©2016 RayLemire.com. All Rights Reserved.