Friday Flashbacks: Olympic Boycott, Challenger Tragedy, and America's Cup

Challenger (1986) . . .

With Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Olympic boycott talk from President Carter for upcoming Summer Games in Moscow was the story. Carter asked Ali to tour Africa to present case for a boycott. Meanwhile, the Lake Placid Olympics are less than two weeks away, and someone filed a suit to prevent Soviet athletes from appearing in U.S. (1980) . . . The San Francisco Giants were really close to moving to Toronto (1976) . . . Texas versus American Football League over early signing of redshirted players, in this case, George Sauer (1965) . . . Vince McMahon to form XFL (2000) . . . Sex or Bowling Survey (1985) . . . Peggy Fleming is the strongest US favorite to win a gold medal at the Winter Games (1968) . . . Eric Cantona suspended by Manchester United after jumping into crowd and kicking a spectator (1995) . . . Marcus Dupree drops out of Southern Miss, is the USFL interested? (1984) . . .

Philadelphia swaps shortstops with Chicago, Larry Bowa for Ivan DeJesus and his OPS+ of 44, oh, and some “utility infielder” named Ryne Sandberg is part of the deal (1982) . . . Ali-Frazier II (1974) . . . Berlin Crisis could have effect on the World Hockey Championships (1962) . . . Phil Jackson returning to LA? Sounds crazy (2005) . . . Dennis Conner and America’s Cup (1987) . . . Canadian Football League bids on incoming college players are tempting (1955) . . . Throwing grilled cheese sandwiches and steer’s head on ice during college hockey game apparently frowned upon (1994) . . . Ray Kroc, owner of Padres and McDonald’s, wants Bowie Kuhn out as commissioner (1978) . . .

Casey Martin and the debate over golf carts (1998) . . . Football finishes just ahead of Baseball in Harris Poll of favorite sports (1972) . . . Anti-trust laws for pro sports (1958) . . . Rick Majerus removed from Coaches’ Poll because assistant was voting for him (and put a Temple team with losing record in top 10) (2002) . . . Jerry Rice was not happy with the coverage of his MVP performance, overshadowed by Montana and Walsh’s retirement (1989) . . . Southwest Conference expected to waive freshman eligibility rule (1951) . . . Marge Schott suspended for a year because of ethnic slurs (1993) . . . Bills fans support Scott Norwood (1991).

[photo via Getty]