- Jan 1 31st Orange Bowl: #5 Texas beats #1 Alabama, 21-17
- Jan 1 31st Sugar Bowl: #7 LSU beats Syracuse, 13-10
- Jan 1 49-year-old former England international soccer forward Stanley Matthews becomes only player to be awarded a knighthood while still playing (Stoke City)
- Jan 1 51st Rose Bowl: #4 Michigan beats #8 Oregon State, 34-7
Jets Sign Namath
Jan 2 New York Jets sign future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath to a $427,000 contract over three years (pro football record at the time)
15th NFL Pro Bowl
Jan 10 15th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Western Conference beats Eastern Conference, 34-14; MVPs: Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, QB; Terry Barr, Detroit Lions, DB
15th NBA All-Star Game
Jan 13 15th NBA All-Star Game, St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Mo: East beats West, 124-123; MVP: Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati Royals, F
Warriors Trade Chamberlain
Jan 15 One of the biggest trades in NBA history; San Francisco Warriors send Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and cash
- Jan 16 4th AFL All Star Game, Jeppeson Stadium, Houston: Western Division beats Eastern Division, 38-14; MVPs: Keith Lincoln, LA Chargers, RB; Willie Brown, Denver Broncos, DB
Celtics Lose to 76ers
Jan 23 Boston Celtics' center Bill Russell misses all 14 shots in 104-100 loss to Philadelphia 76ers, led by newly acquired Wilt Chamberlain
- Jan 31 19th century pitcher James 'Pud' Galvin elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
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