This day in sports illustrated history:

I had the bedspread and curtains. NFL. And muchos flammable pajamas.

I’ll see your 1990 JCPenney Christmas Catalog and raise you a 1989 Sears Christmas Wishbook

Huffy Thunder Road - still got it! Restoration about 10 years ago. Then both of my kids used it for a couple summers.

My first bike. A yellow Schwinn Sting Ray. Man I loved that thing.

Battling Tops. Hugely underrated toy from my youth.

This didn’t age well.

Say what you want. Good teams put themselves in positions to get lucky. Go Gunners! Wooooooooooo! #Arsenal

Get me some Cheetos somebody!

More OchoCinco:

This is the kind of season I thought Chad Johnson was gonna have.

And not for nothing, I will never not love Doug Flutie.

Just for fun. Tom Brady’s first comeback win. October 14, 2001.

Hey Stephen Miller, ya heard?

The last time the Patriots had a 12-3 record was during the 2019 NFL season. They achieved that record on December 21, 2019, by defeating the Buffalo Bills 24-17 at Gillette Stadium. They finished 12-4 and ultimately lost the Wild Card Game 20-13 to the Tennessee Titans.

Instant Patriots reaction:

I never doubted for a minute.

That’s a catch.

Worst. Refs. Ever.

Patriots need what the kids like to call, a stop.

Number four. Bobby Orr.

Same. But Dave Cowens Camp.

I played on a church league hockey team. At the season end banquet, Orr came. I was like 10. He came to every table and sat with every kid individually for like 5 minutes. We were each and every one of us spellbound. Hero!

On this date in 2001, Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter as he and Antoine Walker and the Boston Celtics edge out John Stockton, Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz. Hooray Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker and the Boston Celtics!

On this date in Sports Illustrated history. It’s so sad what things have become. This guy was THE most beloved athlete in Boston sports ever. EVER. You young guys have no idea.

ICYMI: Hugo-Chaka! Hugo-Hugo-Hugo-Chaka!

Remember kids: Always. Punch. Nazis.

Mike Napoli. Winner and still champion.

Mike Napoli. Winner and still champion.

Remember kids: Always. Punch. Nazis.

ICYMI: Hugo-Chaka! Hugo-Hugo-Hugo-Chaka!

Fun fact: Carlton Fisk’s dream was to play forward for the Boston Celtics.

Boston Red Sox legends.

In these trying times, we all could use a little cheering up. Here’s Patti LaBelle, Kareem, Pee Wee and Rowdy Roddy to help:

And the greatest photo in the 50 greatest players book.

While we’re at it, Gene Gene the Dancing Machine!

In these trying times, we all could use a little cheering up. Here’s Patti LaBelle, Kareem, Pee Wee and Rowdy Roddy to help:

This day in Sports Illustrated history:

Remember kids: Always. Punch. Nazis.

No. But I remember this. Worst. Call. Ever.

From my 86 swatch shrine