There is such a wide variety of things that can occur each day in professional sports that is always worth looking back on. There is no shortage of these events on September 16th, as only one year ago Big Ben went down with his season-ending elbow injury. This was followed up by Pittsburgh making a huge acquisition bringing in one of the hottest young stars in the NFL. Exactly a year prior, it was those same Steelers that were getting dominated by a young Patrick Mahomes, proving his MVP aspirations were for real. The historic events on 9/16 continue to have a direct impact on the course of the game today.

Kaivan Tabatabai also contributed to this article.

New Steelers Star

YEAR: 2019

SIGNIFICANCE: Big Ben was ruled out for the year with an elbow injury; Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded to Pittsburgh

September 16, 2019 was certainly an emotional roller coaster for the fans of Pittsburgh. Their beloved Ben Roethlisberger was officially ruled out for the season due to an elbow injury. This put the franchise in a very difficult position to finish out the season with postseason aspirations. To ensure their season’s competitiveness, the Steelers brought in one of the brightest young stars in the NFL in S Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Impressing at Alabama and spending a little time in Miami, his name was already known. Fast-forward one year to today, and his name is being compared to Steelers legend Troy Polamalu after a DPOY-caliber season since moving to Steel City. Known for being a detective on the field and picking apart offenses through his on-field intelligence, the young stud is a true bright spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers and looks to cement his legacy there for years to come.

Mahomes Breaks Out

YEAR: 2018

SIGNIFICANCE: QB Patrick Mahomes set a NFL record against Pittsburgh with 6 PASS TDs for 10 through the 1st 2 games

Right off the bat, Patrick Mahomes showed the world of professional football that he is the real deal. In only his third ever career game, the Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback torched the Pittsburgh Steelers vaunted defense by throwing for six touchdowns, right after tossing four in Week 1. In doing so, he broke a NFL record with his 10th TD pass through two weeks of the season.

This was only the beginning as Mahomes has been nothing short of elite so far in his young career. Already with a MVP award from that legendary 2018 season and a Super Bowl ring in the subsequent season, Mahomes signed the largest contract in NFL history which would attach him to Kansas City, Missouri for an entire decade.

Thome's 500th HR

YEAR: 2007

SIGNIFICANCE: Jim Thome hit the 1st ever walk-off 500th career HR

13 years ago, Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome, a member of the 2018 Hall of Fame class, hit his 500th career home run; a walk off against the Los Angeles Angels. Thome became the 23rd member of the 500-HR club, and also joined Frank Thomas and Alex Rodriguez as the three hitters who hit their 500th career home runs in the 2007 season. Thome, a 5x All-Star and 1996 Silver Slugger winner, was one of the best power hitters of the late 90s and 2000s, posting 16 seasons in his career with 20 or more home runs. The lefty-swinging slugger is one of just nine hitters ever with over 600 career HR, finishing his career with 612. This 500th HR was extra special since it was the only one that came in walk-off fashion.

Winfield & Molitor Hit 3,000

YEARS: 1993 & 1996

SIGNIFICANCE: Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor recorded their 3,000th career hit

Minnesota Twins OF Dave Winfield got his 3,000th career hit exactly 27 years ago, joining 18 other hitters (at the time) in one of the most prestigious clubs in baseball. Winfield got his hit off another future Hall of Famer, Oakland Athletics RP Dennis Eckersley, in the ninth inning to cut the lead to one. Later that inning, the Twins tied it up at two, and eventually winning the game 5-4 in 13 innings.

Three years later, another Minnesota Twin got his 3,000th career hit. Paul Molitor, a native of St. Paul, MN, went 3-for-4 against the Kansas City Royals and became the 21st entrant to the club. Molitor ended his career with 3,319 hits, good for 10th all-time. Both Molitor and Winfield are in the Hall of Fame, with each playing 21 and 22 Major League seasons, respectively.

Franchise Beginnings

OTD 1937 Redskins NFL franchise play first game in Washington at Griffith Stadium; defeat the New York Giants in season opener, 13–3

Wonder whatever happened to that team
— the other guy (@crankyuncle2) September 16, 2020

YEAR: 1937 & 1950

SIGNIFICANCE: The Cleveland Browns and Washington NFL franchise played their first ever games

On September 16th, 1937 the Redskins played their first ever game in Washington D.C. just five years after moving from Boston. They got the win over the New York Giants 13-3 in a low-scoring match up. The DC football club have had an emotional ride over the years winning three Super Bowls, but have been a bottom-tier team for the last two decades now. This year represents a new beginning with a new name and a terrifying D-line assembled, the Washington Football Team just defeated their division-rivals Philadelphia Eagles as they look to reach the postseason for the first time in five years.

The Cleveland Browns were originally associated with the All-American Football Conference (AAFC). On September 16th, 1950, they played their first ever NFL game as they wrecked the Eagles 35-10. The Cleveland Browns, similarly to the Redskins, have been a dreadful team for many years. However, unlike DC, this season is not off to a good start as Baker and OBJ have yet to show any sort of chemistry and they got blown out by Baltimore in Week 1.

1950 #Cleveland #Browns (formerly AAFC) play 1st NFL game, beat #Philadelphia 35-10)#OnThisDay
— IG TheTalentedMrWes (@ikariusrising) September 16, 2020