This Day in Football History
1982 - Mercury Morris sentenced for drug trafficking
The former Miami Dolphins running back is sentenced to 20 years for drug trafficking, conspiracy and possession of cocaine.
The conviction is overturned in 1986 when Morris provided evidence of entrapment and he negotiated a plea bargain to secure his release from prison.
Morris was an integral part of the Dolphins back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1972 and '73 and has become the de facto mouthpiece for the undefeated '72 Dolphins in recent years, leading the champagne celebration whenever an undefeated team loses its first game.
1984 - U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Al Davis
The U.S Supreme Court rules that the NFL exceeded antitrust limits by attempting to stop Al Davis from moving the Oakland Raiders to Los Angeles.
This is among the many court battles that pitted Al Davis against NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle and the animosity seems to be rooted in Davis's belief that he would be named commissioner following the NFL/AFL merger.
Most remember Davis as a megalomaniacal old coot, but he fought diligently for his rights as an owner and the rights of other owners (even in competing leagues). In 1986, he was the only NFL owner who sided with the USFL in an antitrust suit against the league.
Birthdays
1933 - Bruce Bosley
1957 - Kellen Winslow Sr.
1984 - Nick Folk
1992 - Odell Beckham Jr.