THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY: 2/5

1919 – Charges against Cincinnati’s Hal Chase of throwing games and betting against his team are dismissed by National League president John Heydler.

1921 – The Yankees purchase 20 acres in the Bronx to build Yankee Stadium. 

1960 – Bill Russell grabs 51 rebounds in Boston’s 124-100 victory over the Syracuse Nationals. He’s the first player in NBA history to grab over 50 boards in a game.

1969 – Vince Lombardi becomes part owner, General Manager, and head coach of the Washington Redskins.

1972 – Bob Douglas is the first African-American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Douglas owned and coached the New York Renaissance from 1922 until 1949. 

1989 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the first player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points.

1990 – Notre Dame becomes the first college football program to sell its home games to a major television network, agreeing to a five year contract with NBC beginning in 1991.

1999 – At 33 years old, Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy becomes the youngest net-minder in NHL history to record 400 career wins.

2006 – The Pittsburgh Steeler win the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl title, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is named the game’s MVP.

2009 – University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt becomes the first Division I basketball coach – men’s or women’s hoops – to win 1,000 career games.

2012 – The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI. Giants quarterback Eli Manning is named the game’s MVP.

2017 – Trailing 28-3 in the second half, the New England Patriots come back to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in Super Bowl LI. It is the first Super Bowl to go to overtime.