This Day in Football History
2009 - Chris Johnson sets franchise record in rushing yards
Chris Johnson rushes for a franchise-record 228 yards and two touchdowns in the Tennessee Titans' 30-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 228 yards are the highest rushing total in the NFL since Nov. 2007, when Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson racked up 296 against the San Diego Chargers.
Johnson finishes the 2009 season - his second in the NFL - with 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns on 358 carries.
2002 - Vikings sign first-round pick Bryant McKinnie
Rookie offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie agrees to terms on a five-year, $13.3-million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, ending his 98-day holdout.
"I'm elated with this contract," McKinnie, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2002 draft, says. "I know this has taken some time, but ... I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to put on a Vikings uniform."
1966 - NFL awards franchise to New Orleans
(Courtesy: The New Orleans Times-Picayune)
NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle awards the league's 16th franchise to New Orleans during a ceremony at the Ponchartrain Hotel.
On Sept. 17, 1967, the Saints play their first game at Tulane Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams, losing 27-13. They go on to lose another six games before defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-24 for the franchise's first regular-season victory.
Birthdays
1943 - Tom Mack
1947 - Ted Hendricks
1969 - Darryl Ashmore
1976 - Kelly Gregg
1977 - Steve Hutchinson
1981 - Evan Mathis