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. We also see F1 races, UFC Fight Nights, and college basketball tournaments. December 21 has seen many memorable moments in sports history.
Here are some highlights from that date:
– 1891: The first basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.N. later named this day World Basketball Day.
– 1937: Paul Thompson of the Chicago Blackhawks became the first NHL player to score against his brother, Cecil Thompson, who was the goaltender for the Boston Bruins.
– 1941: The Chicago Bears defeated the New York Giants 37-9, becoming the first team to win consecutive NFL championships.
– 1969: Vince Lombardi coached his last game, ending his career with a record of 105-35-6.
– 1975: The Buffalo Sabres set an NHL record with a 14-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.
– 1984: Eric Dickerson rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season, becoming only the second player in NFL history to do so.
– 2010: The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team set an NCAA record with 89 straight wins.
– 2022: Caitlin Clark tied Elena Delle Donne as the fastest NCAA Division 1 player to reach 2,000 career points.
Three standout athletes from December 21 are Vince Lombardi, Martin Brodeur, and Caitlin Clark. Lombardi is remembered for his discipline and motivational skills, with the Super Bowl trophy named after him. Brodeur set impressive records in the NHL, while Clark continues to shine in college basketball.
