In December, sports fans can catch NBA and NHL games, NFL teams vying for playoff spots, the end of college football, Grand Prix races, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. December 26 has seen many memorable moments in sports history. Here are some highlights:
– 1908: Boxer Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns in the 14th round, becoming the first Black heavyweight champion.
– 1919: The Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
– 1925: The New York Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates combined for 141 shots on goal, setting an NHL record. The Americans won 3-1.
– 1943: The Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 41-21 to win the NFL championship.
– 1960: The Philadelphia Eagles handed Vince Lombardi’s Packers their only playoff loss, winning 17-13.
– 1991: Joe Mullen scored four goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs 12-1. That same year, coach Chuck Noll retired after leading the Steelers for 22 seasons.
– 2023: The Detroit Pistons set an NBA record with their 27th consecutive loss.
Three standout figures from December 26 are Jack Johnson, Joe Mullen, and Chuck Noll. Johnson, known as the “Galveston Giant,” was a defensive master who challenged racial norms. Mullen was the first U.S.-born player to score 500 goals and 1,000 points in the NHL, winning three Stanley Cups and earning a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame. These legends have left a lasting mark on sports history.
