THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 12/21

1891 1st game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts.

1937 – Chicago Blackhawks left wing Paul Thompson becomes first player in NHL history to score a goal against his brother; scores on bro Cecil of the Boston Bruins with just 9 seconds left in regulation; Bruins win though, 2-1.

1941 – Chicago Bears Ray McLean makes last NFL drop kick for an extra point.

1959 – Tom Landry accepts coaching job with Dallas Cowboys (stays until 1988).

1969 – Vince Lombardi (Redskins) coaches his last football game.

1975 – Buffalo Sabres set NHL record of 40 points beating Caps 14-2 scoring 5 goals vs Washington Caps in 4:57.

1979 – Garry Unger’s NHL record for consecutive games ends at 914, as his Atlanta Flames lose 5-1 to the St Louis Blues and he is benched by coach Al MacNeil; record eventually broken by Doug Jarvis (964).

1980 – Harold Carmichael ends NFL streak of 127 consecutive game receptions.

1981 – Cincinnati beats Bradley 75-73 in 7 OTs (NCAA record).

1983 – NCAA rules rescinded last 2-minute men’s basketball free throw rule.

1995 – SF Giants announce plans to build a new stadium to open in 2000.

1997 – Detroit Lions Barry Sanders is 3rd to run for 2,000 yards in a season.

2012 – The NHL announces a further cancellation of games until January 14 bringing the total number of cancelled games to 625 due to a labor dispute.