Before there was the “Miracle on Ice,” it was Squaw Valley, and the 1960 Olympic hockey tournament was held there in California. The United States were the underdogs to the more agile and more skilled skaters from the Soviet Union. They played in a small semi-covered rink, most fans in attendance believed the U.S. would not emerge victoriously. But regardless, the United States succeeded in reaching the semifinal matchup against the Soviet Union.
Facing the USSR, the Americans pulled off the tournament’s greatest defeat, winning the game 3-2, and celebrating the first time the U.S. beat the Soviets in the Olympic competition. Just the next day, the U.S. beat Czechoslovakia 9-4 to win their first-ever Olympic gold.
First Stanley Cup Finals
The World Hockey League folded in 1926 and was acquired by the National Hockey League, who immediately became the sole league in charge of Lord Stanley's Cup. Therefore, the 1927 Stanley Cup Finals was the first in NHL history, exclusively featuring two NHL teams. The Ottawa Senators squared off against the Boston Bruins, pictured here, and won the series 2-0.
To date, it's their most recent Stanley Cup victory. As for the Bruins, their most recent Cup victory came in 2011 – they are sixth overall. What is interesting is the lack of helmets and padding. Yikes!
Staubach Wins the Heisman
The second, and also last, Heisman winner in the U.S. Naval Academy's history belonged to Roger Staubach, the All-American quarterback. As one of the greatest athletes to come from the Naval Academy, Roger Staubach won the 1963 Heisman Trophy Award and became a highly coveted NFL player. But service to the country came before the field.
Before playing for the Cowboys, Roger Staubach served in the U.S. Navy and was later deployed to Vietnam. During his time at the NFL, Roger led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in four appearances.
O.J. Simpson in the USC
He was probably regarded as one of the most prolific players in USC's illustrious history, Simpson finished his career as a National Champion, two-time All-American, and Heisman winner. It's incredible to see how basic the Oregon uniforms used to be, a far cry from what they wear today.
He would finish his NFL career as a 5-time Pro Bowler and won many awards. But, it would be his controversial off-field incidents that truly defined O.J. Simpson, a tragic way to remember such an exceptional running back who could have been the face of the NFL for decades.
Wayne Gretzky and the Cup
Wayne Gretzky was, without question, the greatest hockey player. He started off his career by joining a team that became one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history. During nine seasons in the league, he would win four cups.
However, 1988 proved to be the last time that Gretzky would hoist the greatest prize in hockey. He'd give his best over the next 11 years to get back to the summit, but every year fell short. Today, Wayne Gretzky's signature No. 99 has been retired throughout the league, an appropriate tribute to the great one.