THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - DECEMBER 17TH

1930 - Bob Mathias, American decathlete and congressman (d. 2006) is born.

1933 - NFL starts official stats as Bears beat Giants 23-21 in champ game.

1935 - Cal Ripken Sr, baseball manager (Balt Orioles) is born.
1944 - Green Bay Packers win NFL Championship.

1975 - First time NY Islanders shut-out NY Rangers, 3-0-Billy Smith's 5th.
1984 - NJ Devils 1st penalty shot-Rocky Trottier scores against Edmonton.

1988 - Bryan Murray becomes 17th NHL coach to win 300 games (Washington Capitols).

2003 - Otto Graham, American football player (b. 1921) dies.
2008 - Sammy Baugh, American football player (b. 1914) dies.
2009 - Chris Henry, American football player (b. 1983) dies of injuries sustained from 
falling out of the back of a moving truck driven by his fiancee.