This time of year, sports fans are buzzing with excitement as the NBA and NHL seasons heat up, NFL playoff games kick off, college bowl games take center stage, and select college basketball tournaments unfold. Tennis fans are gearing up for the Australian Open, while UFC Fight Nights, Formula E races, and PGA Tour events add to the action.
January 3 has seen some unforgettable moments in sports history. Here are a few highlights:
– In 1931, Nels Stewart of the Montreal Maroons scored two goals just four seconds apart, setting an NHL record.
– The first AFC Championship game took place in 1971, with the Baltimore Colts defeating the Oakland Raiders, 27-17.
– That same year, the Dallas Cowboys won the first NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, 17-10.
– Ken Rosewall defended his title at the Australian Open in 1972, marking his fourth win there.
– In 1991, Wayne Gretzky became the youngest player to score 700 goals in the NHL.
– The legendary “Comeback” happened in 1993 when Frank Reich led the Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in overtime, 41-38.
– In 2016, Jimmy Butler broke Michael Jordan’s franchise record by scoring 40 points in a half.
Three standout athletes from January 3 are Hana Mandlíková, Steve Young, and Jimmy Butler. Mandlíková, a Czech-Australian tennis star, won four Grand Slam singles titles and remains a fan favorite.
