Did you know?

Forty-seven years ago this week - Aug. 2, 1979 - New York Yankees team captain Thurman Munson died in a fiery crash when the small plane he was flying went down short of the runway at the Akron-Canton Airport. The 32-year-old Munson, a veteran pilot who often flew to his Canton home to be with his wife and three children, was making an approach when his Cessna Citation jet clipped the top of some trees and a crashed a few hundred feet short of the runway. Munson was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1970 and its Most Valuable Player in 1976. He helped the Yankees win two World Series championships.

This Week in

Illini and Spartan History

ILLINI HISTORY - Celebrating his 85th birthday on July 26th is former Fighting Illini quarterback Mike Taliaferro (pronounced TOL-i-ver). As a senior in 1963 at Illinois, he split playing time with Fred Custardo, taking the snap from All-America offensive center Dick Butkus and handing the ball off to All-America running back Jim Grabowski. Taliaferro went on play eight years in the American and National Football Leagues, with the New York Jets (1964-67), the Boston Patriots (1968-70) and the Buffalo Bills (1972). He is the father of former Illini soccer coach Tricia Taliaferro.

SPARTAN HISTORY - Turning 72 on Sunday (July 26) is former Michigan State ice hockey star Steve Colp. When his college career concluded in 1976, he had an astounding 300 points in 138 games. He is one of only five players to score 300 points at the top level of college hockey (as of 2026) but he is second for Michigan State behind his long-time teammate Tom Ross. Photo restored by MomentsMadeClear.com.

Shep's Sports Crosswords

An exclusive new feature of SportsLLL.com, Shep's Sports Crosswords is a fun way to challenge your sports trivia knowledge. It takes only about five minutes to play. We'll post a new puzzle each week. This week's sports crossword puzzle is about MICHIGAN STATE FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL HISTORY. Click below to play! Can't solve 'em all? Click here!