This Week in Sports History | October 20–26 | Innovation, Records & Gridiron Glory
Sports Moments in History from October 20–26
From Olympic breakthroughs to league-changing decisions, comebacks, and shocking errors, these moments helped shape sports history.
🏈 October 20, 1957 – Detroit Lions Engineer 24-Point Comeback
On this day, the Detroit Lions erased a 24-point deficit to defeat the Baltimore Colts 31-27. The furious rally remains one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history and cemented the Lions’ late-’50s reputation for resilience.
🥇 October 20, 1968 – Dick Fosbury Wins Olympic Gold with the “Flop”
On this day, 21-year-old Dick Fosbury revolutionised the high jump at the Mexico City Olympics by clearing 7 ft 4¼ in (2.24 m) using his back-first “Fosbury Flop” technique — winning the gold medal and re-defining how the event is approached.
🏈 October 21, 1950 – Indiana Upsets Notre Dame, 20-7
On this day, the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 20-7 — a rare upset in college football history, marking one of the Hoosiers’ biggest wins over Notre Dame.
🚴♂️ October 22, 2012 – Lance Armstrong Stripped of Seven Tour de France Titles
On this day, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) formally stripped Armstrong of his seven consecutive Tour de France titles and banned him for life from competitive cycling, marking one of sport’s most dramatic downfalls.
🏀 October 24, 1959 – Wilt Chamberlain Debuts with 43 Points & 28 Rebounds
On this day, Chamberlain made his NBA debut for the Philadelphia Warriors, scoring 43 points and grabbing 28 rebounds — a performance that announced the arrival of a dominant force in basketball.
⚾ October 25, 1986 – Mets Win Game 6 After Buckner Error
On this day, during Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, the Boston Red Sox’s first baseman Bill Buckner let a ground ball roll through his legs in the 10th inning, giving the New York Mets a rally and one of baseball’s most infamous moments.
🏆 October 26, 1971 – Hank Greenberg Named AL MVP at Tiger Hall
On this day, the Detroit Tigers legend Greenberg was awarded his second American League MVP trophy, becoming the first player to win the award at two different defensive positions (first base then left field).
🏈 October 26, 1993 – Carolina Panthers Awarded NFL Expansion Franchise
On this day, the NFL officially awarded an expansion franchise to the Carolina Panthers. One month later, the league also awarded one to the Jacksonville Jaguars, these two moves marked the league’s first expansion since 1976 and set the stage for both teams’ debuts in 1995.
🗳️ Weekly Poll – Which Moment Was the Most Impactful?
- 🏈 Lions’ 24-Point Comeback (1957)
- 🥇 Fosbury’s High Jump Innovation (1968)
- 🏈 Indiana Upset of Notre Dame (1950)
- 🚴 Armstrong Stripped of TdF Titles (2012)
- 🏀 Chamberlain’s Debut (1959)
- ⚾ Buckner Error & Game 6 (1986)
- 🏆 Greenberg’s MVP at Two Positions (1971)
- 🏈 Panthers & Jaguars Join the NFL (1993)
Vote by dropping your choice in the comments!
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