Hall of Fame
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HISTORY
This Date in NFL History

December 21

1997 — Barry Sanders becomes only the third player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He rushes for 184 yards in the final game of the regular season to push his 1997 total to 2,053 yards, the second highest seasonal tally in NFL history.

December 22

1946 — Otto Graham leads the Cleveland Browns to a 14-9 victory over the New York Yankees at Cleveland Stadium in the first All-America Football Conference championship game.

December 23

1972 — Pittsburgh beats Oakland 13-7 in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game on Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception." Jack Tatum hit the intended receiver, "Frenchy" Fuqua, and knocked the ball back to Harris who caught it and ran into the end zone. It was also the first playoff victory in franchise history.

December 24

1967 — New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath passes for 343 yards in a 42-32 win at San Diego to become the first player to throw for 4,000 yards in a season (4,007).

December 25

1971 — Miami wins the longest game in NFL history (82:40) as Garo Yepremian kicks a 37-yard field goal to defeat Kansas City 27-24 in double-overtime.

December 26

2004 — Peyton Manning throws two touchdown passes to give him an NFL single-season record 49 TD tosses as the Indianapolis Colts beat the San Diego Chargers 34-31. Manning finishes the year with 49 touchdowns and also sets the single-season passer rating record (121.1).

December 27

1987 — Seattle wide receiver Steve Largent catches six passes in a 41-20 loss at Kansas City to become the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 751 receptions.

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