Remembered for historic streaks, incredible feats, and Lamar’s feet, the 12th of December is also known for ESPN’s very first national broadcast of a high school basketball game, featuring none other than the Chosen One. Not only did Lamar Jackson break one of Michael Vick’s sacred single-season records, but Gale Sayers’ muddy day at Wrigley Field turned into a performance for the ages over half a century earlier. Whether it be Emmitt Smith’s end zone swan song or polar opposite record-long streaks from the Lakers and Heat, the history of December 12th is filled with intrigue.

Jaime Segui & Alex Raphael covered the MLB & NBA sections in this article.

Lamar Passes Vick

YEAR: 2019

SIGNIFICANCE: Lamar Jackson broke the single-season QB rushing record of 1,039 yards

In the early 2000’s, Michael Vick took the league by storm as arguably the most dangerous dual-threat QB the NFL had ever seen. Notwithstanding his off-field missteps, Vick was an electrifying talent in both reality and the virtual realm, as his overpowered “Madden 04” character became synonymous with that of Bo Jackson’s in “Techmo Bowl”. In the decade-plus since Vick’s initial foray into the NFL, however, another uber-athletic, dual-threat QB has emerged into the spotlight and continues to further raise the bar and claw at his former records.

Vick would set the QB rushing record in 2006, becoming the first signal-caller to surpass the 1,000-yard mark along with 2,474 passing yards. After joining him as only the second QB to ever rush for 1,000 yards, Lamar Jackson broke the single-season record on this date a year ago, finishing a 21-point victory over the Jets with 1,103 that broke a franchise record with their 10th straight victory.

Lamar tied the Ravens record for PASS TD (33) in a season and became the first NFL player ever with multiple games of 5 PASS TD & 50+ RUSH YDS in a game. Adding another 103 yards in the last two games, Jackson finalized his all-time record at 1,206 while leading the Ravens to a 14-2 record and the AFC’s top seed. Combining a historic ground game with an equally-prolific air attack, Lamar Jackson’s unanimous MVP was all but clinched at this point last year.

Historic TDs

YEAR: 1965 & 2004

SIGNIFICANCE: Gale Sayers tied a NFL record with 6 TD AND Emmitt Smith scored his 164th and final TD (the most ever)

A back-to-back consensus All-American RB for the Jayhawks, the late Gale Sayers was arguably the most dynamic rookie rusher the NFL had seen since the great Jim Brown — who coincidentally retired at season’s end. Drafted in the top-ten of both the AFL and NFL Drafts, the “Kansas Comet” would ultimately choose to sign with George Halas’ Bears over the local Kansas City Chiefs. He would make an immediate impact in Chicago, scoring an NFL-record 22 total TDs in addition to a rookie-record of 2,272 all-purpose yards (1,371 from scrimmage).

On this date, Gale Sayers put an exclamation point on his legendary rookie campaign by tying Ernie Nevers‘ and Dub Jones’ record of six total TDs (4 RUSH, 1 REC, 1 PR). Looking to redeem themselves after a 52-24 season-opening defeat in San Fran, Sayers’ record-tying afternoon — which included three TDs of 50+ yards — led the charge toward a 61-20 demolition of the 49ers. Totaling 202 yards and five TDs on just 11 offensive touches (9 ATT, 2 REC), the unquestioned Rookie of the Year capped off his efficient afternoon with an 85-yard punt return TD to tie the longstanding record.

After the “Kansas Comet”, “Sweetness” emerged, who finished his career in Chicago as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Walter Payton‘s illustrious career would stand above all for nearly 20 years, until Emmitt Smith‘s 15-year run with the Cowboys and Cardinals, during which he won four rushing titles and the 1993 MVP Award. After officially becoming the league’s all-time leader in RUSH YDS and RUSH TDs in 2002, Smith volunteered his release from Dallas to allow for opportunities to the team’s younger RBs.

Signing a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, Emmitt put the pressure on himself to perform, claiming “I’m still a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that.” Struggling with his new team, he would miss six games in 2003 and totaled just 256 yards and 2 TDs. Somewhat returning to form the following year, his career would finish with a resurgent 900-yard, nine-TD season — the last of which occurred on this day in 2004. Though the 49ers would prevail 31-28 on the road, Emmitt Smith found the end zone for the 164th and final time to solidify his all-time RUSH TD record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXnCR9fEffg

NBA Streak Records

Today in #sportsHistory in 1971 the Los Angeles #Lakers set an #NBA record with 21 consecutive wins. pic.twitter.com/T21YaHP7Bi
— OTBS Online (@OTBSonline) December 11, 2015

YEAR: 1971 & 1988

SIGNIFICANCE: The Lakers set a record of 21 consecutive wins AND the Heat set a record by going 0-17 to start the year

Arguably the most talented Los Angeles Laker team ever assembled was their stacked lineup of four HOFers from the 1971-72 season which resulted in a championship. The roster was comprised of Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Gail Goodrich; and over a two-month span, the overwhelmingly skillful side shined brighter than any team in NBA history. From early November to early January, the loaded lineup brought merriment to Laker-nation for 33 consecutive games by reigning victorious in all of them.

But, on this day in 1971, the mind-boggling streak planted itself in the record books as the Lakers grew their win-counter to 21, breaking the previous record of 20 straight wins — shared by the 1948 Washington Capitols and the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks. The matchup featured a 32-point game-high from Goodrich as L.A. downed Atlanta 104-95, further improving their overall record to a nearly flawless 27-3 on the season en route to their only Championship victory during Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, or Elgin Baylor’s Lakers tenure.

In their inaugural season of 1988-89, the expansion Miami Heat were under massive construction with their roster consisting of 10 rookies. On December 12th of that season, they would set an NBA record of the unattractive variety by acquiring their 17^th consecutive loss to start the year and their franchise off 0-17. The Utah Jazz walked away 110-94 victors at the Salt Palace as Miami connected on a woeful 37.6% of shot attempts, in contrast to Utah’s 48.2% field goal rate.

They would finally break their franchise’s cursed early beginnings two days later against the L.A. Clippers 89-88, but their winning woes would persist, ending the unsuccessful year rock-bottom of the league at 15-67. Ironically, the L.A. Clippers matched this record-low a decade later in the lockout-shortened season by dropping 17 straight games. These records only come second to the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets and 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers who both began their atrocious seasons 0-18.

The @MiamiHEAT in their inaugural season 1988-89 #history #miami #heat #heatvbulls #MiamiHeat pic.twitter.com/tgXJeBYrmV
— Biscayne Tales (@biscaynetales) May 6, 2013

Pedro's Record Deal

YEAR: 1997

SIGNIFICANCE: SP Pedro Martinez signed a MLB record 6y/$69M contract with the Boston Red Sox

On Nov. 18, 1997, a day after being crowned the National League’s Cy Young winner, SP Pedro Martinez was traded from the Montreal Expos to the Boston Red Sox for SP Carl Pavano. Martinez was set to be a free agent after the 1998 campaign and the Red Sox wasted no time in extending the superstar 26-year-old. On this day in ’97, the kid from Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic agreed to a 6-year deal worth $69 Million that made him the highest earning pitcher in MLB history at the time.

The contract was a success for both parties, as Martinez won back-to-back Cy Young awards in 1999 and 2000 (two of the greatest seasons ever for a pitcher) and in 2004, he helped the Sox claim their first title in over eight decades. To put it mildly, Martinez became one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history while wearing the Red Sox uniform and it wouldn’t have been possible without a record-breaking deal coming together exactly 23 years ago.

The Chosen One

YEAR: 2002

SIGNIFICANCE: ESPN2 aired a HS basketball game of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s and Oak Hill featuring 17-year-old LeBron James

The 16x All-NBA teamer, 4x MVP, and 4x NBA champion LeBron James came from humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, playing high school ball for St. Vincent-St. Mary where he dawned his famous No. 23. The young phenom bypassed the college route and took his talents directly to the NBA as a sprite 18-year-old — à la Kobe Bryant. Before the reigning NBA champion made this monumental jump to the pros, James made headlines on this day 18 years ago, by making his national television debut.

The marquee matchup of James’ No. 23 St. Vincent-St. Mary versus No. 1 Oak Hill Academy lured ESPN into making history of their own by broadcasting their very first high school game. The game put a 17-year-old LeBron James under the spotlight to showcase his gifted abilities, and the Ohio-native did not disappoint, putting on a dazzling 31-point, 13-rebound, 6-assist display that further expanded the narrative the Ohio native could be the Chosen One as Sports Illustrated deemed him earlier that year.

This stat-line would serve as an informative precursor for what was to come in James’ legendary NBA career. His monstrous output lifted St. Vincent-St. Mary to a 65-45 upset over Oak Hill Academy in Cleveland, fittingly, where James would call home for 11 years with the Cavaliers in the association that included one of the most impressive NBA Championship victories of all-time when he led Cleveland’s 3-1 series Finals comeback over the 73-9 Golden St. Warriors.