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Here are some of the most shocking moments in the history of NFL
When Alex Karras and Paul Hornung were suspended by the NFL for gambling
Karras and Hornung were suspended for gambling
Pete Rozelle suspended Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras for betting on NFL games and associating with gamblers.Hornung had a record 176 points in 1960 and was named MVP in 1961, while Karras placed at least half a dozen $50-$100 bets. Both players sat out for a full season, before being reinstated. Five other Detroit players were fined for betting on the 1962 championship game. Hornung apologized. “I made a terrible mistake,” he said. “I am truly sorry.” Still, he was later inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
O.J. Simpson was charged with double murder
O.J. Simpson was charged with murdering his wife and friend, Nicole Brown Simpson, in her driveway. The trial ended with Simpson’s acquittal, but he didn’t surrender and was declared a fugitive. This led to a live, televised low-speed pursuit in the white Bronco. When he surrendered, he was arrested without bail and held without bail. After a lengthy trial, Simpson was acquitted. In a civil suit, the families of Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson found Simpson guilty of “willingly and wrongfully” causing the deaths and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.
The day Chuck Hughes died: Remembering the only NFL player to die in a game
Detroit Lions receiver Chuck Hughes died of heart attack during game
In 1971, the Lions trailed the Bears 28-23 in the fourth quarter. During a two-minute drill, wide receiver Chuck Hughes collapsed after a deep play with an incomplete pass. Bears linebacker Dick Butkus alerted the Lions bench, while team doctor Richard Thompson attempted to resuscitate Hughes, but unsuccessfully. The game ended in silence.
The Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI as time expires
The Patriots, who had a 5-11 record in 2000, were considered a 50-1 chance to win the 2001 season. However, New England won the AFC East division title with an 11-5 record, led by QB Tom Brady. They won the AFC Championship over Pittsburgh but were two-TD underdogs to the Rams. With the score tied at 17-17, Brady drove the Pats 53 yards to set up a 48-yard field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri.
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