Sports History Network

It's Winter Olympics time, and we are joined by author Doug Levy to talk about some of the greatest unsung stories in Summer and Winter Olympic History. Olympians like David Moorcroft, Tracy Barnes, and Laurence Lemieux may not be household names, but their fascinating stories are worth telling and worth knowing. These tales of selflessness, courage, and dedication are the Olympics at their best....

In 1998, Dale Earnhardt, Sr won the Daytona 500 on his 20th try. In 2004, Dale Earnhardt, Jr won his firt Daytona 500 in his 5th try. In 1976, David Pearson won his first Daytona 500 in the slowest finish. In 1994, the Kentucky Wildcats erased a 31-point second half deficit to beat LSU in the greatest comeback in College Basketball History. In 2018, Denver's Nikola Jokic notched the fastest triple...

In this episode, we focus on trailblazer Ameena Soliman, who was the first Muslim female scout in NFL history. Football Learning Academy Website: To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com Social Media: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.c...

In this episode, we focus on trailblazer Salli Clavelle, who was the first African American female scout in NFL history. Football Learning Academy Website: To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com Social Media: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/ YouTube: https://www...

In this episode, we focus on trailblazer Connie Carberg, who was the first female scout in NFL history when she held that position with the New York Jets. Football Learning Academy Website: To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com Social Media: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlea...

In this episode, we focus on Linda Bogdan, scout and executive with the Buffalo Bills from 1986 through 2009. Football Learning Academy Website: To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com Social Media: Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.co...

In 1951, Sugar Ray Robinson fought Jake LaMotta for the sixth and final time. The fight went 13 rounds with Robinson pounding LaMotta for the final four. In 1992, Great Britain's Eddie the Eagle competed in the Calgary Winter Olympics. In 1992, Bobby Allison nipped his son Davey to win the Daytona 500. In 1986, Boston Celtic Larry Bird played a game shooting with his left hand. In 1991, Michael Jo...

In 1960, 37 cars were involved in a first lap crash during a 250 mile race at Daytona International Speedway. In 1977, three years before he won 5 gold medals at Lake Placid, Eric Heiden became the first American to win the World Championships in Speed Skating. In 1984, American skier Debbie Armstrong shocked everybody by winning gold in the Women's Giant Slalom. In 1968, the East German women's l...

In 2005, UNLV erased a 10-point deficit with less than 20 seconds left to win in OT. In 1972, the US Hockey team beat Poland 6-1 and won the Silver medal in a miracle that you've never heard of. In 2018, Dutch skater Ireen Wüst won gold in the 1500m speed skating event for her fourth gold medal in four consecutive Winter Olympics. She would win another four years later to become the only woman to...

Super Bowl 60: A Defensive Masterpiece or an Offensive Meltdown? Is a championship defined by the brilliance of the defense or the collapse of the offense? As the Seattle Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy after a stifling victory over the New England Patriots , the debate in the Pig Pen is heating up. While some see Mike McDonald’s defensive scheme as a tactical masterpiece that neutralized a gen...

In 1994, NASCAR driver Neil Bonnett died during a practice run at Daytona International Speedway. In 2024, marathoner Kelvin Kiptum died after the car he was driving went off the road and flipped in a ditch. In 2002, controversy marred the Pairs Figure Skating competition. In 1990, James 'Buster' Douglas pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history by beating Mike Tyson. In 1988, Dave '...

In 1978 Magic Johnson nearly left college early to go to the NBA. The Kansas City Kings were ready to take him with the 2nd pick in the draft. So what led to him waiting until 1979 before leaving for the NBA? That’s what today’s episode is all about. CREDITS Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC "Disco Funk" by Jam Morgan "Horizons" by...

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network, Mark and fellow sports historian Dave DePaolo take on the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the growing gap between how modern players are inducted versus legends from earlier eras. They dis...

In 1968, American Peggy Fleming won the only Gold Medal for the US during the '68 Olympics. In 1992, American Bonnie Blair won her second Gold Medal in the 500m Speed Skating event. In 1962, American Jim Beatty became the first human to run a sub-4 minute mile indoors. In 1949, Jumpin' Joe Fulks dropped 63 points to set the record for most points scored in an NBA game. His record stood for a decad...

Ever wonder why a football field is 100 yards long and exactly 160 feet wide? It turns out the dimensions of the gridiron aren't just random numbers—they are a mix of 17th-century surveying tools, farming traditions, and a desperate need to fit a game into a New York baseball stadium. In this session of the  Pig Pen , Darin Hayes sits down with  Timothy P. Brown  of  Football A...

In 1992, Magic Johnson returned to play in the NBA All-Star game three months after his retirement from the league due to his HIV diagnosis. In 1991, Terrible Terry Norris pummeled Sugar Ray Leonard, forcing him to retire once again. In 2006, Al Michaels was traded to NBC for the rights to Walt Disney's first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In 1986, golfer Charlie Owens won a Senior PGA tour ev...

The joy of collecting serves as the focal point of our discussion in this podcast episode. We delve into the world of football card collecting, exploring not only the sheer delight it brings but also the rich history intertwined with each card. Joining us is Bob Swick, a distinguished expert whose extensive experience in this field offers invaluable insights and practical advice for both novice an...

Gridiron Baltic is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . EPISODE SUMMARY Kristjan Kallaste & Vlad Põtko—The Tallinn Bay Ballers & The Tallinn Diamonds (Estonian Flag Football) GRIDIRON BALTIC BACKGROUND Gridiron Baltic is a monthly podcast exploring connections between American football in the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. On the surf...

In 1992, Duke's Christian Laettner went head-to-head with LSU's Shaquille O'Neal. In 1986, 5'7" Spud Webb won the NBA's Dunk Contest. In 1996, the NFL and the city of Cleveland reached an agreement to keep the name, colors and history of the Browns franchise in Cleveland. In 1964, the US won its first Alpine skiing medals in the Winter Olympics. In 1998, women’s hockey premiered at the Olympics in...

The Pro Football Time Machine is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear . EPISODE SUMMARY The Green Bay Packers have a history of excellence at the quarterback position. For most fans, the argument over the greatest to wear green and gold begins and ends with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers but in the team's past there's a quiet man who brought five NFL Champions...

In 2023, LeBron James became the all-time scoring leader in the NBA. In 1970, Pete Maravich set an NCAA single game record by scoring 69 against Alabama. In 1985, Marshall's Bruce Morris hit the longest shot in NCAA basketball history. In 2015, legendary college basketball coach Dean Smith passed away. He gifted every one of his former players $200 to have a dinner out on him. In 1994, Michael Jor...

The sixth no-hitter of Nolan Ryan's illustrious career, achieved on June 11, 1990, stands as a monumental achievement in the annals of baseball history. As we reflect upon this remarkable event, we delve into the context surrounding it, including the unfortunate circumstances that marked the one-year anniversary of the Luca trade, a pivotal moment for sports in North Texas. Throughout this episode...

In 1958, a plane carrying the Manchester United English football club crashed in a takeoff attempt in Munich, Germany. Twenty people died at the scene, including 8 players, 3 staff members and eight journalists. One person died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital and two others died days later due to their injuries.

In 2017, the Atlanta Falcons built up a 25 point lead over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 only to lose it in overtime. In 1943, Jake LaMotta beat Sugar Ray Robinson. It was Robinson's first lost as an amateur or pro. In 1984, golfer Hale Irwin hit a ball that was heading for trouble but caromed off a rock, leading to a tournament win. In 1960, Boston Celtic Bill Russell grabbed 51 rebou...

Our program today has Ed Kleese joining to go over the Seattle vs New England matchup in the Big Game to hand out the Lombardi Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts. Do you want more football history? Test y...