Sports History Network Imagine you are in 776 B.C. as you are witnessing Coroebus, a cook, run for the stade or a 192-meter footrace and win the only event of the Olympic Games. The word ‘stade’ originates ‘stadium,’ and our Coroebus becomes the first champion of the Olympics. While it is said that this event is the first … Read more
Today we’re going to discuss the 1970s rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders joined the American Football League in 1960 and sputtered. The team notched only three winning seasons in its first seven years. That direction changed in 1967 when the Raiders went 14–1 before losing to the Packers in … Read more
In 1972, the NFL got a chance to see a quarterback duel of a different nature, one the likes of which the league, at least after 1950, had not previously seen. The teams involved were the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, two long-time division rivals from the old Black and Blue Division, otherwise known … Read more
‘The Thrilla in Manila’ would be the third time that Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier squared off. In the first fight, held at Madison Square Garden in March 1971, Frazier defended his heavyweight title with a 15-round unanimous decision. The second fight in January 1974 also took place at Madison Square Garden. That one would be … Read more
How would you like to have this guy for your football coach? He looks a bit wild-eyed, his hair is a mess, and his suit is severely wrinkled. A long cigarette continuously dangles from his mouth, and an ever-present bottle of Coca-Cola always lurks nearby. The cold weather doesn’t seem to bother him, nor does … Read more