December is an exciting month for sports fans. The NBA and NHL seasons are in full swing, NFL teams are battling for playoff spots, and college football wraps up. Plus, there’s F1 racing, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments to enjoy.
December 15 has seen some unforgettable moments in sports history. Here are a few highlights:
– 1925: The Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Americans 3-1 in the first hockey game at Madison Square Garden.
– 1935: The Detroit Lions won their first NFL Championship, defeating the New York Giants 26-7.
– 1946: The Chicago Bears took down the New York Giants 24-14 in the last NFL title game at the Polo Grounds.
– 1959: Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid won his second Ballon d’Or.
– 1980: Dave Winfield signed a 10-year, $16 million deal with the New York Yankees, making him the highest-paid player in team sports at that time.
– 1982: Marcel Dionne of the Los Angeles Kings became the ninth player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.
– 1992: Arthur Ashe was named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.
– 2002: USC quarterback Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy.
– 2019: The U.S. team won the Presidents Cup for the eighth straight time, and the Raiders played their last NFL game in Oakland.
Three standout athletes from December 15 are Marcel Dionne, Arthur Ashe, and Joe Montana. Dionne is a Hockey Hall of Famer with 731 career goals. Ashe was a trailblazing tennis champion, and Montana is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
