From the original Ancient Grecian olympics to last year’s Super Bowl, sports have been around for millenia. Today’s public, however, often don’t know the history of some of the nation’s favorite sports. Here you can find some relevant, monumental, and inspiring games that have changed the future of sports forever.
Oct. 23, 1968: American swimmer sets world record at Mexico City Olympics
At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, the American swimmer Kaye Hall set a world record for the 100m backstroke, winning gold. She beat out Canadian Elaine Tanner by 0.5s with a time of 1:06.2.
Oct. 24, 1857: World’s first football club founded in Yorkshire
In 1857, William Prest and Nathaniel Creswick founded the very first football (soccer) club, Sheffield FC. They developed new rules and laws of the game and the two gentlemen believed that they could use football to connect people with grace, happiness, and respect for one another. Sheffield FC still plays to this day.
Oct. 25, 1964: “The Wrong Way Run”
In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Viking player Jim Marshall runs 66 yards in wrong direction after trying to recover a fumble. Marshall makes it all the way to the endzone, and thinking he made a touchdown, he throws the ball in celebration. It lands out of bounds, which gives the 49ers a two-point safety. It was, and for many people still is, the most embarrassing moment in the NFL.
Oct. 26, 1951: Rocky Marciano defeats Joe Louis
Legendary boxer, Rocky Marciano defeats his childhood idol, “The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis at Madison Square Gardens. This fight was huge because Joe Louis was trying to regain his title back. Louis was favored to win and was going to earn $132,000 while Rocky would only earn $44,000. In the end, Rocky ended up knocking out Louis. It was such a devastating knockout that that fight was the end of Joe Louis’ career. After the eight rounds, Rocky cried in Louis’ dressing room because he stopped his childhood idol from winning the world heavyweight crown.
Oct. 27, 1961: The American Basketball League forms
American Basketball League starts to play. The league only played one full season (1961-1962). This league was the first basketball league to have a three point shot for baskets scored far away from the net,
Oct. 28, 1924: Less than 20 spectators attend White Sox-New York Giants game
The Chicago White Sox played the New York Giants in Dublin, Ireland on October 28, 1924. During the game, less than twenty spectators showed up. Apparently, the game was poorly advertised and was played while most people were at church. The two teams canceled the game for the next day and left for London a day early. The White Sox did end up beating the Giants 8-4 .
Oct. 29, 1960: Muhammad Ali’s first professional fight
On October 29, 1960, Muhammad Ali (was then known as Cassius Clay) had his very first professional fight in his career. He beat out Tunney Hunsaker by decision in six rounds. Ali then went on to be the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.
