THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 12/28

1905 – Intercollegiate Athletic Association of US founded (becomes NCAA in 1910).

1918 – Georges Vezina becomes the first NHL goalie to record an assist during the Canadiens’ 6-3 win over the Toronto Arenas.

1944 – Former Washington 3rd baseman Buddy Lewis wins Distinguished Flying Cross.

1944 – Right wing Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard becomes first player in NHL history to score 8 points in one game with 5 goals and 3 assists in the Canadiens’ 9-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

1947 – National Football League Championship, Comiskey Park, Chicago: Chicago Cardinals beat Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21; Cardinals’ only title victory.

1958 – Baltimore Colts win the 26th NFL championship game against the New York Giants. Deemed as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” 

1974 – 4th Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State beats #17 BYU, 16-6.

1975 – Red Army beats NY Rangers 7-3 at Madison Square Garden.

1975 – “The Hail Mary”, with 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach throws a legendary 50-yard winning touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, and the “Hail Mary” play is born.

1975 – In the aftermath of the Cold War, the New York Rangers become first team in NHL history to face a touring Soviet hockey squad; Soviet Army beats the Rangers, 7-3 at Madison Square Garden.

1978 – 30th hat trick in Islander history (Mike Bossy).

1990 – Blockbuster Bowl 1: Florida State beats Penn State, 24-17.

1993 – John Maclean passes Kirk Muller as all-time NJ Devils scorer (521 pts).

2008 – Detroit Lions crash to a 31-21 loss to Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field; first team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season