27 December in Sports History

In this edition of the Sports Break, we cover the top events in sports history along with the players and athletes that were a part of them on December 27. As a bonus, we also place the jersey number worn at the time with the athlete.

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore.

21 - 20 - 11 - 9 - 13 - 45 - 7 - 15 - 11 - 99 - 8 - 19 - 66 - 

December 27, 1956 - Number 21, Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics ends NBA free throw streak of 55 games

December 27, 1960 - 1961 NFL Draft: Number 20, Tommy Mason from University of Tulane first pick by Minnesota Vikings

December 27, 1962 - 28th Heisman Trophy Award was won by Oregon State Quarterback, Number 11, Terry Baker

December 27, 1966 - Ballon d'Or: Manchester United midfielder Number 9, Bobby Charlton won the award for best European football player; claims award by a single point ahead of Benfica striker Number 13, Eusébio

December 27, 1974 - 40th Heisman Trophy Award was won by Ohio State running back Number 45, Archie Griffin

December 27, 1977 - Ballon d'Or: Borussia Mönchengladbach's Danish forward Number 9, Allan Simonsen was named Europe's best football player ahead of Hamburg forward Number 7, Kevin Keegan and Nancy midfielder Number 15, Michel Platini

December 27, 1978 - Ballon d'Or: Hamburg's English forward Number 7, Kevin Keegan won his 1st of 2 consecutive trophies as best football player in Europe; beats Barcelona striker Number 9, Hans Krankl and Anderlecht winger Number 11, Rob Rensenbrink

December 27, 1979 - Los Angeles left wing Number 11, Charlie Simmer scored in a Kings' 3-0 shutout of the Quebec Nordiques to extend his modern day NHL goal-scoring streak to 13 straight games (ends next game)

December 27, 1981 - Edmonton Oilers Number 99, Wayne Gretzky becomes fastest NHLer to get 100 pts (38th game)

December 27, 1983 - Ballon d'Or: Juventus' French midfielder Number 10, Michel Platini claims first of 3 trophies for Europe's best football player ahead of Liverpool midfielder Number 7, Kenny Dalgleish and Vejle BK striker Number 9, Allan Simonsen

December 27, 1987 - Seattle Seahawks Number 80, Steve Largent sets all-time NFL record for career catches when he catches his 752nd pass

December 27, 1988 - Ballon d'Or: Milan 1-2-3; Dutch striker Number 9, Marco van Basten won his 1st of 3 best football player in Europe awards ahead of Number 10, Ruud Gullit and Number 8, Frank Rijkaard

December 27, 1999 - Number 19, Joe Sakic records his 1,000th career point, an assist against the St. Louis Blues

December 27, 2000 - Pittsburgh Penguins center and part-owner Number 66, Mario Lemieux scored a goal and 2 assists in his return to the NHL after more than 3 years out with injury problems and lingering cancer issues; Penguins beat Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-0

December 27, 2017 - Number 10, Raheem Sterling scored to give Manchester City 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St. James' Park; EPL record 18th consecutive win; streak ends with 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace 31/12

A Very Special thanks to information obtained from the following brilliant internet sites: On This Day Sports, the Sports Reference's family of website databases & Stathead.com.

Banner photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of Professional basketball players Bill Sharman (left) and Ken Sears (right) ciraca 1955 to 1960.