A day of both recent and historic significance, the 18th of December is remembered fondly for the NBA’s first and only double-jersey retirement in honor of a beloved icon. Not only was a new NBA franchise born in Charlotte in the wake of the Hornets’ departure, but the roots of the Super Bowl can also be traced back to one of the most unique championship games in pro sports history. Whether it be a legendary QB returning to football with the brand-new AFL or a peculiar Yankees controversy, the events of December 18th provide a number of intriguing insights any sports fan would enjoy learning about.

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

2 Jerseys Retired

A legendary career deserves legendary honors #Ko8e24 pic.twitter.com/7cDnA4XAfp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 19, 2017

YEAR: 2017

SIGNIFICANCE: The Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers (8 and 24)

The mythical Kobe Bryant flirted with the concept of being superhuman throughout his 20-year career as a Laker, yet the “Black Mamba” was just a man. A man whose childhood Laker-fan dreams came true on December 18^th, 2017 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. As the late Bryant announced his retirement two years prior and hung up the sneakers in April of 2016, the Laker franchise wasted no time in paying homage. At halftime of a tight 116-114 OT duel against Golden State, Bryant was honored by having both of his jersey numbers retired forever (8 and 24).

He sported No. 8 from 1997-2006 — winning three rings — and wore No. 24 from 2007-2016 with which he won two rings. This made Bryant the 10^th Laker to have a retired jersey, and the first NBA player ever to have two numbers retired from the same team. It was an emotional moment for Bryant, seeing his jerseys in the rafters illuminated next to other Laker legends such as Magic Johnson and Jerry West. To commemorate the all-time amazing legacy of Kobe Bryant, the Hall of Fame officially inducted the two-guard in late August of this year.

1st NFL "Playoff"

With this game being played on an 80-yard field, I’m surprised no mentions of the 1932 NFL Playoff have arisen. Due to severe winter weather, the tiebreaker between the Bears and Portsmouth Spartans (now Detroit Lions) was played indoors at Chicago Stadium. pic.twitter.com/1jYxodsRQl
— Packers History (@HistoricPackers) August 23, 2019

YEAR: 1932

SIGNIFICANCE: For the 1st time in league history, the NFL Championship was decided by a one-game playoff

For the first decade-plus since the league’s inception in 1920, the NFL determined its champion via winning percentage — no playoffs, no final winner-take-all game — as the schedule consisted solely of the regular season. This structure had its clear flaws and obviously did not generate the made-for-TV excitement and drama that fans have become accustomed to now December through February. Surprisingly, the league ran into minimal problems with the format until 1932, when it would finally correct this mistake and capitalize on a golden opportunity.

At the end of the 1932 season, the Chicago Bears (6-1-6) and Portsmouth Spartans (6-1-4), who tied twice during the regular season, both finished with the best winning percentage as ties were excluded. Had ties counted as half a win, half a loss like today, the Packers (10-3-1) would have actually won their fourth straight title — but alas, the NFL finally arranged for a one-game playoff to decide its champion. The teams awoke on this date to a blizzard covering Chicago and Wrigley Field, however, forcing the impromptu “Playoff” game indoors to the nearby Chicago Stadium.

Due to the field’s smaller dimensions (80 x 45), special rules were adopted for the game. The goal posts were moved up to the goal line from the end line, all plays started between the hash marks, drop kicks and FGs were disallowed, and each time the 10-yard line was passed, the ball was moved back 10 yards to simulate a normal-sized field. While the hometown Bears came away with a 9-0 victory and their second title, the NFL was forever altered as a host of rule changes were adopted to differentiate the pro and college game — notably, the legalization of the forward pass anywhere behind the LOS and an annual Championship game going forward.

New Charlotte Team

In 2002 Robert Johnson became the first African American majority team owner of a professional sports organization (Charlotte Bobcats). #BHM #BlackHistoryMonth #NBAVoices pic.twitter.com/NtYc4XgDBG
— Austin Spurs (@austin_spurs) February 28, 2019

YEAR: 2002

SIGNIFICANCE: Charlotte Bobcats were created months after the Hornets relocated to New Orleans

In 1988, two teams were added to the NBA as expansion franchises, one being the Miami Heat and the other the Charlotte Hornets. The latter hoisted a mediocre record of 542-574 from 1988 until 2002. That year, the Hornets relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana due to poor attendance rates tied to unpopularity surrounding the then-owner George Shinn. On December 18^th, just a few months later, the NBA Expansion Committee suggested that the NBA Board of Governors approve an expansion team for Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thusly, the Charlotte Bobcats were founded, officially beginning basketball operations in 2004 under the ownership of Robert (Bob) L. Johnson, who influenced the ‘Bobcats’ team name. In 2013, New Orleans changed their team name to the Pelicans in accordance with their state-bird being a brown pelican. This opened the door for the Charlotte Bobcats to once again associate themselves with the original name they held for 14 seasons.

Owner Michael Jordan and the Charlotte franchise made haste in returning to their roots by making the branding alteration prior to the 2014-15 season. In Charlotte’s 16 seasons since inception, the franchise hasn’t produced much success in comparison to its pre-relocation team, holding an abominable 472-771 record. The franchise selected LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and hope to turn their franchise’s fortunes around in doing so.

Titans 1st Coach

Remember the Titans? This day in #SportsHistory, 1959: Sammy Baugh was named the 1st coach of the Titans of #NewYork -later the @nyjets pic.twitter.com/AddKrE7cEJ
— ToastingTheTown.com (@toastingnyc) December 19, 2018

YEAR: 1959

SIGNIFICANCE: HOF QB Sammy Baugh was hired as the New York Titans’ 1st HC

One of the greatest QBs of the 1940’s in his 16-year Washington career, Sammy Baugh not only possessed incredible versatility, but he was a true visionary in regard to the potential he saw in the “forward pass”. Playing DB early on in addition to QB and Punter, “Slingin” Sammy not only led the league in numerous passing categories throughout the years, but also set the current punting average record while leading the league as a DB with 11 INTs caught in 1943. Upon retirement after the 1952 season, the 2x NFL Champion had set all-time records at all three positions while revolutionizing the QB position in the process.

The only player in NFL history to lead in passing, punting, and INTs caught in the same season, Baugh was named HC of the upstart AFL’s “Titans of New York” charter franchise on this date in 1959. Bringing name-recognition to the league in addition to his bountiful experience on the gridiron, Slingin’ Sammy devised one of the league’s top offenses yet only mustered a 14-14 record during his two seasons. Cash-strapped Titans owner Harry Wismer felt he couldn’t afford Baugh’s $28,000 salary, and after a string of antics during the offseason to get him to quit, including demoting him to an assistant and hiring a new HC, Baugh was fired.

NYY Manager Fiasco

Today In 1973 ⚾ Dick Williams is named Yankees manager at Shea Stadium (until Charles O. Finley puts a stop to it!) pic.twitter.com/IW2OTEoRrS
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) December 13, 2015

YEAR: 1973

SIGNIFICANCE: Yankees hired former Red Sox and A’s MGR Dick Williams; AL Pres. Joe Cronin disallowed the signing days later

Despite winning the previous two World Series with the Oakland Athletics, MGR Dick Williams did not like how Charlie Finley, owner of the Oakland Athletics, handled the team. And after the 1973 Fall Classic, Williams announced that he was stepping down after three years at the helm—despite having one more year left on his contract. Fast forward to Dec. 18, 1973, and the championship winning skipper was keen on joining the New York Yankees with a three-year deal worth $70,000 per season. Before managing Oakland, Williams managed the Boston Red Sox, where he won one AL Pennant in his three years with the club.

That on its own made rumbles around the sport until Finley protested the deal saying that Williams still had to honor the contract he had signed with the A’s. After a legal battle, it was determined that if Williams was to manage elsewhere, he needed Finley’s consent. Finley then took advantage of the situation and agreed to Williams leaving, only if the Yankees send two of their top minor league prospects. The Yankees declined, and shortly after, American League President Joe Cronin ruled in favor of Finley—effectively shutting down the signing. Williams was then hired by the California Angels, where he managed from 1974-1976.