Presented by the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
The news came out that Jalen Hurts is out for the season. I’m still wishing him a speedy recovery. This is a scary situation, and it goes well beyond football.
On the field, the Eagles’ struggles continue, and this team is in trouble. The Flyers finally got their first win!
October 19 has seen a Flyers first and a couple of dramatic finishes.
Birth of the Rivarly
On this day in 1967, the Flyers played their first regular-season home game at the Spectrum, facing their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bill Sutherland scored in the third period, and Doug Favell shut out the Penguins as the Flyers christened their new home with a 1-0 victory. It was also their very first game against the Penguins and the rivalry is still in full swing to this day.
Brian Westbrook Explodes
On this day in 2003, the Eagles were 2-3 and coming off a loss to the Cowboys as they headed to Giants Stadium to face New York. Brian Westbrook scored in the first quarter, but the offense struggled throughout the afternoon. Donovan McNabb finished just 9-for-23 for 64 yards, unable to get anything going.
The defense kept the Eagles in the game, but with 1:34 remaining, they trailed 10-7. Former Eagle Jeff Feagles came on to punt. All he had to do was kick the ball out of bounds, and given the way the Eagles’ offense had played, the game was likely over.
But the Eagles had other plans. They sent an all-out punt block, disrupting Feagles’ timing. Westbrook fielded the low line drive on a bounce and raced 84 yards up the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown.
The incredible return gave the Eagles a 14-10 victory and may have saved their season. They went on to win nine straight games and reach another NFC Championship Game.
It also gave Merrill Reese one of his most memorable calls:
“Brian Westbrook has just exploded! This place is in a state of shock!”
And Mike Quick’s perfect response from the broadcast booth?
“He’s gone!”
Trivia – Who is the only other Eagle to return a punt for a touchdown at the old Giants Stadium? (Answer below)
Rollins Walks it Off
On this day in 2009, the Phillies were looking to take a commanding three-games-to-one lead in the NLCS. Ryan Howard got things started with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first, but the Dodgers battled back and carried a 4-2 lead into the ninth.
Los Angeles turned to Jonathan Broxton to close it out. Phillies fans remembered Broxton as the Dodgers’ goat in the 2008 NLCS, and once again, he was put in a precarious spot.
Matt Stairs, the 2008 postseason hero, drew a walk, and Carlos Ruiz was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Jimmy Rollins stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off double, scoring both runners and sending Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy.
The Phillies won 5-4, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the NLCS.
I was there that night, and it was one of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard at Citizens Bank Park.
Trivia Answer – Vai Sikahema returned a punt for a touchdown in 1992 and celebrated by punching the goalpost.
Check back tomorrow for another edition of This Day in Philly Sports History
For more Philly Sports History, tune in every weekday to This Day in Philly Sports History
Stop by the improved Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame YouTube page for more Philly Sports content. Be sure to subscribe.
