Events in Sports History in December 1961

George Blanda

Dec 3 George Blanda of Houston Oilers kicks 55-yard field goal

Ernie Davis

Dec 4 1962 NFL Draft: Ernie Davis, University of Syracuse RB #1 pick by Washington Redskins

Patterson vs. McNeeley

Dec 4 Floyd Patterson KOs Tom McNeeley in 4 for heavyweight boxing title

Dec 4 Smallest NY Knick, 49th St Madison Square Garden crowd-1,300 (snowstorm)
Dec 6 27th Heisman Trophy Award: Ernie Davis, Syracuse RB; 1st African American to win)
Dec 8 Larry Costello scores 32 consecutive pts without a miss (NBA rec)

Chamberlain's 78 Points

Dec 8 Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scores 78 points in 151-147 3OT defeat to LA Lakers at Philadelphia Civic Center; 2nd highest game total in the NBA history

Cannon Rush/Receiving Record

Dec 10 Houston Oilers utility back Billy Cannon gains AFL record 373 yards combined rushing/receiving in 48-21 win over NY Titans at the Polo Grounds, NYC

Omar Sívori Wins

Dec 12 Ballon d'Or: Juventus' Argentine forward Omar Sívori wins award for best football player in Europe ahead of Spanish midfielder Luis Suárez and English forward Johnny Haynes

Sports History

Dec 18 For 2nd consecutive year, AP names Wilma Rudolph female athlete of year

Dec 24 AFL Championship, Balboa Stadium, San Diego: Houston Oilers beat San Diego Chargers 10-3; Billy Cannon scores game's only TD
Dec 28 50th Davis Cup: Australia beats Italy in Melbourne (5-0)

Packers Defeat Giants

Dec 31 National Football League Championship, City Stadium, Green Bay: Green Bay Packers shutout NY Giants 37-0; first of 5 NFL titles won in 7-season span by Packers and head coach, Vince Lombardi