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That '70s article

Reliving 74 of the most seminal '70s moments in the world of sports

Image: Wilt Chamberlain (left) and Lew AlcindorAP
The battle between Wilt Chamberlain and Lew Alcindor captivated fans in the 1970s.

8. The Yankee Datsun (1972)
In an era predating the term "politically correct," Yankee relief pitchers were chauffered from the bullpen to the mound ... in a foreign car.

9. The Mustache Gang (1972)
At a time when every other team had a no-facial hair policy in place, Oakland A's owner Charles Finley offered $500 to any of his players who could grow a mustache by Father's Day. They all collected (Rollie Fingers deserved double for his handlebar 'stache). And the A's remain the last team to win three consecutive World Series.

10. 10.0 (1976)
Nadia Comaneci becomes the first gymnast to attain perfect ten in Olympic gymnastics competition. Three years later Bo Derek will emulate this mark in a non-Olympic gymnastics competition.

11. "They're all gone" (1972)
Jim McKay delivers the news of the Munich massacre.

12. The Mark Spitz Poster (1972)
You win seven gold medals swimming, you can rock the Speedo (not to mention the pornstache) however you like.

13. Deliverance (1972)
You can think of it as a harrowing journey set amidst a culture clash. I see it as America's first adventure race.

14. The Immaculate Reception (1972)
The Me Decade's answer to "Manning-to-Tyree" featured a then-illegal ricochet courtesy of Steeler wideout Frenchy Fuqua. Appreciate the degree of difficulty involved for Franco Harris, who caught the football only inches from the turf.

Image: Joe Frazier (left) and George Foreman
AP
George Foreman's upset of then-undefeated heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in 1973 stunned boxing fans.

15. "Down Goes Frazier! Down Goes Frazier!" (1973)
Howard Cosell describing the scene in Jamaica as 24 year-old George Foreman knocks down the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world -- back when that meant something -- six times in the first two rounds before the bout is stopped.

16. The Crying Games (1973)
Anyone who believes that "there's no crying in baseball" has never watched the final scene of "Bang The Drum Slowly." And as for sports in general, how about "Brian's Song" ('71) and "Something For Joey" ('77)?

17. 17-0 (1972)
The Miami Dolphins, still the NFL's only perfect team.

18. Cheech and Chong's "Basketball Jones" (1973)
"Basketball jones/I got a basketball jones/I got a basketball jones, oh baby, ooh-ooh-ooh." This ode to hoops addiction featured Tyrone Shoelaces(!), who rapped, "Bill Russell, sing along with us/Chick Hearn, sing along with us/Chris Schenkel, don't sing nothin'."

19. "Oh, my nose!" (1973)
A football damaged Marcia's face. A basketball ruined Carol's vase. Thank god Peter never took up javelin throwing. Just how sports-obsessed were The Brady Bunch? Their backyard was artificial turf.

20. 2003
O.J. Simpson, as the snows swirls at Shea Stadium, becomes the first NFL rusher to gain 2,000 yards in a season. And there was no sideline reporter present to ask him how it felt

21. Nerfoop  (1972)
Imagine the trouble Peter Brady might have saved himself if only he'd played with this ball instead of that vase-shattering orb of destruction.


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Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

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Image: John Walters
Walters Blog
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