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Most Significant Sports History on November 14th
Learn about November 14th's most significant sports history including the NFL's winningest HC, the "Helmet Incident", and more!
George Widman / AP Images
Deep into the thick of the NFL season, November 14th is remembered for a number of feats in professional football. Sid Luckman broke numerous records in a single game and Don Shula’s lengthy coaching career culminated in an all-time record, but the events of this date just a year ago remain vivid images in the minds of many. The NBA also saw some impressive performances from a 6’10” Croatian and a rookie straight out of high school, who both shot at an unbelievable clip. Last but not least, the final chapter of the 17-year career of MLB’s all-time saves leader finally concluded 35 years ago today.
Rookie QB Doug Pederson led the Miami Dolphins to win over Eagles at Veterans Stadium in 1993 that gave Don Shula the NFL record 325 coaching wins
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 4, 2020
Doug has said that win is right below Eagles Super Bowl win for him#RIPDonShula pic.twitter.com/OEj854yMbZ
YEAR: 1993
SIGNIFICANCE: Don Shula won his 325th game, becoming the NFL’s all-time leader
27 years ago on this date, the Miami Dolphins (led by rookie QB Doug Pedersen due to Dan Marino’s Achilles injury) delivered a record-breaking victory for their beloved coach of well over two decades. The 325th victory of his storied career, Don Shula officially became the winningest coach in NFL history, passing the career mark of the great “Papa Bear” George Halas.
His 31st season as an NFL HC, the career wins record was simply a culmination of three decades of excellence, including six Super Bowl appearances (two victories), a pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship, two HOF QBs, and the only completely undefeated season in NFL history. Shula would remain in his post until 1995, when he retired after 23 seasons as HC of the Dolphins and Baltimore Colts with 347 total wins combined — regular season and playoffs that still stands as the all-time record today.
Rudolph started it by trying to take Garrett’s helmet off and kicking him.
— Sam (@SPSnieder) November 15, 2019
People won’t see that though and will just blame Garrett. At that point punches are fine but pouncey shouldn’t kick. Obv what Garrett did is terrible but he was provoked pic.twitter.com/ttBtVWsHzd
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: Myles Garrett infamously removed Mason Rudolph’s helmet then used it as a weapon against him
A year ago on this date, Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph got into a heated confrontation that resulted in the actions of the former becoming synonymous with the late Lyle Alzado. There were just 16 seconds left in the game, and Cleveland held a commanding 21-7 lead due in large part to four INTs from Mason Rudolph. Upon release of a short throw, he was taken down hard by Garrett and the two began tussling on the ground. They continued barking at each other while getting up (controversy on what was said) until Garrett decided to escalate the situation by ripping off Rudolph’s helmet and slamming it down on his head.
The Steelers offensive line rushed to their QB’s defense, taking Myles down and repeatedly throwing kicks and punches at him. Joe Buck, the play-by-play commentator for that Thursday Night, called the incident “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen on a professional sports field”. Though 33 different players were handed fines, Garrett received an indefinite suspension and did not return to the field in 2019, prematurely ending his first DPOY-caliber campaign. Though one of the most exciting young edge rushers in the league with nearly 40 career sacks already, Myles Garrett’s reputation will forever be tainted by the viscous incident that occurred exactly a year ago today.
I wrote about Sid Luckman's 7-TD game in 1943, and the '43 season on a whole. It ended with our 41-21 title win over Washington. Here is one of Luckman's 2 INTs + 3 of his TDs. The screens to #8 are Dante Magnani. Burning!@WCGridiron https://t.co/opZO2jsHP8 pic.twitter.com/a6iAPARazX
— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) November 2, 2018
YEAR: 1943
SIGNIFICANCE: Sid Luckman became the 1st to ever pass for 400 yards OR 7 TDs in a single game
On this date well over seven decades ago, future HOF QB Sid Luckman put on a legendary show through the air in a 56-3 victory over the New York Giants. Breaking six NFL records in just a single game, he not only became the very first to accumulate 400 passing yards in a single game, but also established the record of seven TD passes in one game — which broke Sammy Baugh’s record from earlier that season.
As a team, the Bears also set multiple NFL records with 682 total yards and 488 passing. Arguably his greatest season, many of Luckman’s marks from 1943 remain some of the best in history (19.9 Y/Comp, 13.9% TD rate) — an incredible feat considering his era. Leading the Chicago Bears to their sixth NFL Championship in 1943 (his third), Luckman would be named MVP that season to all but solidify his worthiness of the Hall of Fame by age 27.
YEAR: 2006 & 2009
SIGNIFICANCE: Peja Stojakovic set a league scoring record AND Brandon Jennings broke a Bucks rookie record
The battle between the Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets played second fiddle to the singular greatness that was Peja Stojakovic on this day 14 years ago. A few years removed from his final of three All-Star appearances, the Croatian native elevated his game to historic caliber, as he became the first player to corral every single one of his team’s first 20 points.
Adding glamour to the lore, Stojakovic also set a franchise record for most first-quarter points (22) and went on to secure a career-best scoring performance with 42 points on a blistering hot 15/22 FGM clip. His sizable contributions were enough to push his Hornets past the Bobcats that night and to place him in a league of his own for years to come.
In a high-scoring affair between the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks just 11 years ago, Bucks’ rookie Brandon Jennings shocked the league by exploding for a devastating 55 points just six games after his NBA debut. The left-handed draftee who went from high school to play one year on a professional club in Italy took down the hook-shot phenom Lew Alcindor’s franchise rookie record of 51 points.
Additionally, the young Buck was on the doorstep of breaking the franchise’s all-time single-game scoring record of 57 points established by Michael Redd. The first-year’s inspiring performance continues to amaze Bucks and basketball fans alike as it was the most points scored by a rookie since Earl Monroe’s 56 points in 1968.
When "Enter Sandman" was released, Rollie Fingers was still the all-time leader in saves, with 341.
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) September 6, 2013
YEAR: 1985
SIGNIFICANCE: Rollie Fingers, the all-time saves leader (341), was released by the Brewers, essentially ending his career
At 38 years of age and after 17th season in the Major Leagues, the Milwaukee Brewers released Hall of Fame RP Rollie Fingers on this day 35 years ago. Fingers, one of the greatest relief pitchers of all-time, and a pioneer when it comes to the modern-day reliever, finished his career as the all-time saves leader with 341, a record that stood until Jeff Reardon conquered it in 1992. Fingers spent most of his career (nine years) with the Oakland Athletics, where he helped win three consecutive World Series titles, then he split the next eight seasons between the San Diego Padres and Brewers.
Fingers had a tremendous run with Oakland (2.87 ERA from 1969-1976) and some very solid years with San Diego (2.52 ERA, 37 SV in 1978), but his iconic season came in 1981 while wearing a Milwaukee uniform. With his Major League-leading 28 saves, Fingers won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards after pitching to a 1.04 ERA in 78 innings of relief. Fingers became the first of only three relievers in MLB history to win the MVP award, and the fourth to win the Cy Young award. The 7x All-Star and 3x World Champion was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
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