HOT
Most Significant Sports History on December 19th
Learn about December 19th's most significant sports history including the NEW Miracle at the Meadowlands, the team 3PM record, and more!
Al Bello / Getty Images
December 19th brings an extremely exciting slate of events that stick out as some of the greatest in sports history. To begin, the NFL world had the privilege of witnessing the Miracle at Meadowlands exactly one decade ago, leaving behind a game that would continue to be talked about since the final whistle. Additionally, the Houston Rockets set an epic NBA record just a couple years ago that emphasizes the evolution of the game of basketball. Further occurrences set aside 12/19 as a day to remember for all kinds of sports fans.
YEAR: 2010
SIGNIFICANCE: The Eagles stormed back from a 21-point deficit in the final 7:00 to defeat the Giants on a GW PR-TD
A game that would prove incredibly crucial toward the NFC East’s final standings, the 9-3 Giants hosted the 8-4 Eagles on December 19th a decade ago. Led by a stellar defensive performance and the duo of Eli Manning and Mario Manningham, New York stormed out of the gates to a 21-point lead by halftime, maintaining it almost halfway through the fourth quarter until Brent Celek broke off a 65-yard catch-and-run. With only 10 men on the ensuing kickoff, Philadelphia converted a surprise onside kick and Michael Vick capitalized with his legs, pulling within one score.
Allowing two first downs on the following drive, the Eagles forced another punt and took over at their own 12-yard line. After another set of chunk plays from Vick and Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin broke a tackle on a 13-yard REC TD to tie the game at 31 as New York regained possession with just 1:10 remaining. Two incomplete passes and a third-down sack later, the Giants called a timeout with 14 seconds as the punt teams trotted out. Rather than kicking out of bounds to force the offense to march down the length of the field, however, Matt Dodge launched a line-drive punt that was muffled by DeSean Jackson.
After gaining control around the 30, he sprinted by a number of Giants and received a terrific block from Avant, springing him free. With nothing but green grass in front of him, Jackson ran parallel to the goal line before scoring, completing one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history over three decades after the original “Miracle at the Meadowlands”, this time in their inaugural visit to the brand-new edition. While Philadelphia and New York would finish with identical 10-6 records, the Eagles’ legendary comeback resulted in a season sweep which ultimately clinched their division title and a home playoff game.
What’s interesting is exactly 62 years earlier in the 1948 NFL title game, the Eagles officially became champions for the first time ever by avenging their championship loss in the previous season. Shutting out the Chicago Cardinals after falling 28-21 in 1947, Philadelphia was hammered by a blizzard which made the very first televised NFL Championship quite the spectacle. The opening kickoff was delayed, players helped remove the tarp, and extra referees were required, but nonetheless, Steve Van Buren finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth quarter to delivery the home crowd a historic victory.
YEAR: 2018
SIGNIFICANCE: Houston Rockets set an NBA record by converting 26 3PMs, the most ever in a single game
The 3-point shot has revolutionized the NBA and the Houston Rockets catalyzed that trend with a “small-ball” oriented game plan. Spearheaded by 3x NBA scoring champion James Harden, the 2018-19 season saw a breakthrough in the squad’s success from behind the arc. Houston averaged 16.1 3-pointers that season and, on December 19th, they reached a crescendo by creating string music from downtown a record number 26 (of 55) times. This shooting symphony was orchestrated by Harden’s six 3s and a game-high 35 points.
The Beard’s companions who harmonized with him were Chris Paul (5), Eric Gordon (4), Gerald Green (4), PJ Tucker (3), Danuel House Jr. (2), Gary Clark (1), and Michael Carter-Williams (1). Their adversaries, the Washington Wizards, were shot out of the arena in a 136-118 rout which awarded the Rockets their fifth straight victory. The moment that vaulted them past the 2017 LeBron-led Cavs’ record (25-made 3s) came with 31.1 seconds to play when Carter-Williams sank one to ascend HOU into history. Their days of downpours from deep were not through, however, as they went ballistic in April of that season to conquer this record with 27 triples.
📌61 years ago today in NBA History
— 🖼️NFT is Life (@NFT_Promoter) December 19, 2017
December 19, 1956
Upon his return from Melbourne, Australia, where he led the U.S. Basketball squad to an Olympic gold medal, Bill Russell signed his first contract with the Boston Celtics☘️ pic.twitter.com/hgFMfIrM8g
YEAR: 1956 & 2006
SIGNIFICANCE: Bill Russell signed his 1st NBA contract with Boston AND Philadelphia traded Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets
Unbeknownst to the NBA world, Bill Russell signing to Boston would set-in motion the creation of the most dominant dynasty of all-time. His signing happened on 12/19/1956 once he returned to the States after leading the U.S. Basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in Melbourne, Australia. The 22-year-old Oakland, California native averaged a team-high 14.1 points and went undefeated alongside his University of San Francisco teammate, and soon Celtic teammate, K.C. Jones. These future HOFers were instrumental in the 1950s-60s Celtics’ success with Russell going on to be a 5x MVP in his 13-year career.
The acquisition of Russell is credited to the shrewd work of HOF coach Red Auerbach. In the 1956 draft, the St. Louis Hawks took Russell with the second overall pick, but Red has his hawk-eye on Russell too. Eventually, the Hawks gave-in to Auerbach’s negotiations as Boston shipped 6x All-Star Ed Macauley and draft rights to Cliff Harris to St. Louis. In return, Boston got Russell and 11 NBA titles in what might have been the most important trade in NBA history.
Contributing to the storied Philadelphia 76ers franchise, PG Allen Iverson was taken No. 1 overall in the 1996 draft. In his turbulent 10 years, the isolation sensation AI was a 4x scoring champion and carried the Sixers to the Finals in 2001, losing to the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal-manned L.A. Lakers. The MVP Iverson lost his love for Philly over his decade stay, registering a disappointing overall regular-season record of 391-397. Consequently, he asked for a trade, and his request was met on this day in 2006.
The 5-18 76ers sent him to Denver in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and two first-round picks. This transaction gave Iverson hope as it paired him with budding stars Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, and J.R. Smith. Despite Iverson’s wishes being fulfilled, he was never able to scale the steep mountain of the NBA landscape. The Nuggets were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs in both seasons that AI was present before Iverson was then traded to Detroit in 2008.
OTD (2006) The 76ers traded Allen Iverson to the Nuggets for Andre Miller, Joe Smith & future draft picks (Daequan Cook & Petteri Koponen)
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 19, 2019
The trade came 2 weeks after AI demanded a trade & 1 day after Melo was suspended 15 games for the Knicks brawl.pic.twitter.com/ETuNf6Blqe
YEAR: 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: Jerry Rice caught the final REC and TD of his HOF career that cemented his all-time records
After 20 seasons and nearly 23,000 REC yards, Jerry Rice made the final of his 1,549 career RECs while scoring his 208th career TD on this date with the Seattle Seahawks. Just a few of his copious all-time records, Rice was an 11x First-Team All-Pro, 2x Offensive Player of the Year, a Super Bowl MVP, and 3x Champion during his prolific career with the 49ers, Raiders, and Seahawks. Leading the league in either RECs, yards, or TDs on numerous occasions while catching passes from both Joe Montana and Steve Young, his illustrious career set an entirely new standard for the position.
Basically resetting the entire receiving record book — regular and postseason — Rice actually holds the NFL record for the most NFL records, which still remains over 100. He played and scored more than any non-kicker in NFL history while playing a prominent role in four Super Bowls over three separate decades (3 for SF, 1 for OAK). Commonly regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history, he barely played in Seattle’s final three games, including a Wild Card loss to the St. Louis Rams. Spending the following preseason in Denver, he was left off the final roster and finalized one of the NFL’s most remarkable careers on September 5th, 2005.
Today In Sports History
— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) December 19, 2016
1990 ~ Bo Jackson (#Raiders & #Royals) became the first athlete to be chosen for All Star Games in two sports. pic.twitter.com/wThLGxchdW
YEAR: 1990
SIGNIFICANCE: Bo Jackson became the 1st to be named an All-Star in 2 professional North American sports (MLB & NFL)
Bo Jackson is the greatest two-sport athlete that North American professional sports have ever seen in modern history. The 1985 Heisman Trophy winner became the first and only superstar to be named an All-Star in two of the major sport leagues, which culminated on this day exactly 30 years ago. In 1989, Jackson was named to the MLB All-Star game as a member of the Kansas City Royals. In the first half of the ’89 MLB season, Jackson hit 21 HRs and was slugging .522. In the All-Star game, Bo hit the first ever lead off home run in the event’s history and earned ASG MVP honors.
The following year, Jackson was named an All-Pro for the 1990-91 NFL season as a RB for the Oakland Raiders. In that campaign, the Pro-Bowler led the league with the longest rush of the season (which he did in three of his four NFL seasons) of 88 yards while rushing nearly 70 yards per game despite not starting a single time. After 1990, Jackson retired from football and focused strictly on baseball, which he played until 1994—the year of the strike.
Learn something interesting about sports history on December 19th? Share with friends!
Follow for more great sports content!
