Friday Flashbacks: Merry Christmas

Christmas Day in Kansas City, Dolphins beat Chiefs in longest game ever (1971) . . . Mr. Inside, Glen Davis, has his request to resign from the Army to play professional football denied (1947) . . . Alabama coach Ray Perkins would like a playoff using the New Year’s day bowls as the first round of games (1985) . . . Florida State cornerback Deion Sanders is arrested and charged with battery of police officer and disorderly conduct at gift shop on Christmas Eve (1988) . . . Paul Christman talks football to the ladies (1961) . . . Monday Night Football’s last game on ABC (2005) . . .

It wasn’t called the Immaculate Reception in the week after the game in any paper I found, but here’s an article where the Raiders whine about Franco’s touchdown (1972) . . . Orlando Brown pushes referee Jeff Triplette after being hit in eye with penalty flag, is indefinitely suspended (1999) . . . A majority of college presidents disapprove of bowl games (1952) . . . Stabler to Casper beats the Colts in double overtime, in what would later be dubbed “Ghost to the Post” (1977) . . . Glenn Schembechler of Miami of Ohio is named the coach at Michigan (1968) . . . Bowden finally beats Paterno, in the inaugural Blockbuster Bowl (1990) . . .  Troy Aikman signs 8 year, 50 million deal, the richest in league history (1993) . . .

The Hail Mary Game (1975) . . . Giants try to design plan to stop Bears’ Harlon Hill in the championship game (1956) . . . Katie Hnida makes history by getting extra point blocked in Las Vegas Bowl (2002) . . . Rozelle suspends three players for flagrant hits and penalties (1982) . . . Player and father sentenced for sharpening chin strap buckle, injuring opponents (1996) . . . Olandis Gary had his career game against the Lions on Christmas Day (1999) . . . Freshman phenom Herschel Walker gets ready to lead #1 Georgia in the Super Bowl (1980) . . . Young thief who stole Frank Ryan’s game ball after the Browns won the NFL Championship game is caught (1964).

[photo via Getty]