016 Johnny Unitas

The 1960 USA Men's Hockey team was a talented group of amateurs that were completely underrated at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics and expected to finish close to last in the nine-team field. Completely undeterred, the team set to work taking down every opponent in their path on their way to Olympic glory and what is now known as the "Forgotten Miracle." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The first NBA All-Star game was in 1951 and it has been a spectacle from the beginning. The game has seen multiple iterations from the player selection to the expansion to a full weekend of events and activities. However, at the end of the day, it is still just an exhibition game. An exhibition game that is the most well marketed of any out there. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

Eddie The Eagle was the first and most memorable British ski jumper that has ever competed in the Olympics, mostly because Brits don't ski jump. He participated as the only British ski jumper in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and through his performance was launched into history as the athlete who "made it look difficult" and had results to show it. Nevertheless, he was the British record holder until 2001 but again, Brits don't ski jump so take that as you will. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The Epic in Miami was an AFC Divisional playoff game played between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins on January 2, 1982. It was a hot and muggy day in the Orange Bowl but the 74,000 fans in attendance were treated to one of the best games in the history of the NFL so maybe they didn't mind so much. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The players and owners relationship in MLB has always been rough and it reached its peak in the 1994 season causing the longest labor strike in professional sports history (to that point) that lasted into the 1995 season. The strike happened for so many reasons, much like the lockout that is currently going on in the sport, so listen in for what caused and how the 1994-95 strike resolved(ish). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

All-American teams have been around for over 130 years and more teams seem to keep popping up every year. Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe was an college football All-American? Not that Edgar Allan Poe, but he was related to him. Listen in to learn more than you probably need about the history of All-Americans and who can pick them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The Bowl Championship Series was the precursor to the College Football Playoff and revolutionized college football when it came about. The BCS is remembered for many things, both good and bad, and furthered the college football system in a number of ways despite its plethora of shortcomings. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The Seattle SuperSonics were a storied NBA franchise but in 2008, they were moved to Oklahoma City when a new ownership group took over. The process was ugly and the city still awaits their basketball teams return. Here's how it happened. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

The 2002 Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team was a dominant force. Drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello drove the F2002 to perfection and ran away with nearly every race on the calendar. Their performance was unparalleled and set many records en route to victory. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support

Johnny Unitas was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and drafted by the Steelers out of Louisville in 1955. He was cut without ever getting a chance but got his opportunity the next season with the Baltimore Colts and the rest is history. Johnny U led the Colts to four championships, setting all kinds of records along the way, and earning respect from everyone that he encountered. His passion for the game and ability to command the field were second to none, making him one of the best to ever play the game. Take a minute and have a listen. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sports-history-101/support