HOT
Most Significant Sports History on November 23rd
Learn about November 23rd's most significant sports history including the NFL completions record, Odell Backham Jr's iconic 1-hand TD, and more!
AP Photo / Charles Kelly
Some of the most outstanding events in the history of sports on November 23rd occurred long before the turn of the millennium. 45 years ago, QB Fran Tarkenton surpassed an NFL icon in an incredibly decorated leaderboard. In addition, one of the most dreadful streaks in NBA history was broken after a very long period. Further noteworthy events embody 11/23 as an exciting day in pro sports history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=818_M8gOnqQ
YEAR: 2014
SIGNIFICANCE: Giants rookie WR Odell Beckham Jr. made one of the greatest catches of all-time
Six years ago to this day, a rookie WR named Odell Beckham Jr. completed one of the most insane catches in NFL history — in his seventh career game. A Sunday Night matchup against the 7-3 Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the 3-7 Giants fell to Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and DeMarco Murray but couldn’t have been more pleased with their first-round pick’s performance. Beckham, the number 13 pick from LSU, caught ten of 11 targets for 146 yards and two TDs despite the loss — the second of which he secured with only three fingers extended well over his head, falling backward, while drawing a pass interference penalty.
The play left commentators Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels stunned, much like the viewers at home. Dallas DB Brandon Carr was draped all over him, yanking and tugging along the whole way, and when Eli Manning’s 45-yard bomb reached the goal line, it appeared that Carr had created enough contact to disrupt the catch. Somehow, the budding star managed to retain just enough balance to where he could still extend his arm back over his head, keeping his eye on the ball the entire way, and it simply stuck to his trio of fingers. Though the Giants lost that 14-3 lead and ultimately the game, OBJ’s unbelievable catch on the national stage not only vaulted him into superstardom, but also instantly became recognized as one of, if not the greatest catch in the history of football.
YEAR: 1975
SIGNIFICANCE: Fran Tarkenton passed Johnny Unitas to become the all-time leader in completions (2,830)
Though he finished as the NFL’s all-time leader in basically every major passing category, Fran Tarkenton’s HOF career has always been quite under-appreciated. Though he never managed to win one, he led the Vikings to three Super Bowls in his second stint with the team during his mid-70’s after a five-year hiatus with the Giants, where he compiled a 33-28 record as a starter. Drafted in the third round after the Vikings’ first season (1960), he went just 8-27-2 as a starting QB through his first three years before his first winning season in 1964.
On this date in 1975 — fresh off consecutive Super Bowl losses — the “Scrambler” officially broke one of the many passing records he would eventually retire with. In a 28-13 victory over the Chargers in which he went 24-of-32 for 201 yards, Tarkenton registered his 2,830th career completion to pass Johnny Unitas for the most in NFL history. Standing at 10-0 after the win, the 12-2 Vikings were in prime position to avenge their Super Bowl losses but wound up losing their first playoff game to the Cowboys. Upon retirement after 1978, Fran Tarkenton was the NFL’s career leader in completions, attempts, yards, TDs, rushing yards for a QB, and wins — a truly incredible resume that is cemented in Canton forever.
https://twitter.com/HoopHead_Prod/status/1250484098369556482?s=20
YEAR: 1991
SIGNIFICANCE: The Sacramento Kings’ NBA-record losing streak of 43 consecutive road games was finally snapped in Orlando
On this day in history, the Sacramento Kings snapped a record they were on the wrong side of by finally winning after losing 43 straight games while on the road. This horrid streak of consecutive losses away from home went on for a dreadful year and three days; they beat the Washington Bullets on November 20th, 1990, and wouldn’t snag another victory in an opponents’ arena for an entire year until they played the Orlando Magic on November 23, 1991. This record still stands to represent the league’s most horrendous long-term road performance as they accumulated these losses over the span of two seasons in which they ended 25-57 and 29-53.
YEAR: 1994
SIGNIFICANCE: Jeff Hornacek set a new NBA record by making all 8 of his 3-point attempts
In year two on the Utah Jazz, which would be his final destination, All-Star PG Jeff Hornacek relished in the minutes he was attributed by averaging the most points (16.5) amongst his seven-season career there. Though Hornacek did most of his damage from deep, averaging 40.6% from 3-point range, he only made around one 3 per game in the season of 1994-95. However, Hornacek went bonkers on this day 26 years ago by setting the then-NBA record for most consecutive made 3-pointers in a game with an overwhelming eight.
This sweet-shooting night aided him as he gathered a career-high 40 points in a 113-103 win over the Seattle Supersonics. Later that season the steady-handed Hornacek would top this by tying a different record as he sunk 11 consecutive 3s, albeit over the course of 13 days. This November 23rd performance in 1994 still stands as one of the most perfect performances from behind the arc in NBA history that has earned Hornacek notoriety to this day.
YEAR: 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: Zach Lavine dominated with a historic 3-pt performance which included the game-winner
A year ago today, the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Zach Lavine showed he’s much more than a one-trick pony as he had the magic touch from downtown versus the Charlotte Hornets. Any viewer could infer that Lavine knew he couldn’t miss as he hoisted heat check after heat check, draining 13-17 of his 3-pointers – the best 3-point percentage of anyone who has attempted 15 or more 3-point shots in a game. His 13 3PM also granted him the silver medal in that category with only Klay Thompson topping that (14 3PM in 2018).
Amidst all the pandemonium from behind the arc, SG Zach Lavine didn’t just establish a new career-high with 49 points but was even able to cultivate a comeback for his Chicago Bulls in the game’s waning moments. Down a seemingly insurmountable eight-points with 45 seconds on the clock remaining, the red-hot Zach Lavine came up clutch nailing three 3s to add to his 27 fourth-quarter points, including the game-winning 3-point bucket leaving under a second left to play and the Charlotte crowd absolutely stunned.
Learn something interesting about sports history on November 23rd? Share with friends!
