This Day In Sports History; March 2
Peyton gets extended, two Mets stars almost brawl, and Reggie Bush and Big Ben are born.
40 years ago on March 2nd, Big Ben Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Famer was born. The 6’5 gunslinger from Lima, Ohio played his college ball at the University of Miami Ohio and was selected 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004. Roethlisberger, who is still active, won the 2004 Rookie of the Year, is a six time Pro Bowler, and a two time Super Bowl champ.
Another NFL star, one that didn’t have the career that Roethlisberger did, was born on this day as well. 37 years ago, one of the greatest college football players to ever walk the Earth was born. Reggie Bush was the face of the very dominant USC Trojan squads of the mid 2000’s.
While Bush did have his Heisman vacated, every fan knows he deserved it and is still regarded as a Heisman winner. While at USC, Bush also was a two time PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year, a two time All American, was the 2005 Doak Award recipient, the 2005 AP Player of the Year, and was instrumental in the Trojans winning back to back National Championships.
In the NFL, Bush was drafted by the Saints with the second overall pick in 2006 and won a Super Bowl while in New Orleans. He would go onto bounce around the league with the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, and Bills and was named to the All Pro team in 2008.
On this day in 2004, another event involving a quarterback occurred. One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning, signed a 7 year, 98 million dollar extension with the Indianapolis Colts with a 34.5 million dollar signing bonus. This was the largest package deal at the time of Manning signing.
Peyton would go onto win a Super Bowl in 2007 when the Colts defeated the Bears. Through the extension, Manning won three of his five MVPs in 2004, 2008, and 2009. He also was the 2004 Offensive Player of the Year and was named to four All Pro teams.
The last big event on March 2nd was when Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry got into a scuffle in Mets spring training in 1989. When Strawberry complained about his contract to management, Hernandez made comments about Strawberry being a “baby”.
At team pictures, Strawberry said “Why did you say those things about me?”. Hernandez snapped back and said “I’m tired of your baby stuff.” That’s when Strawberry said “I’ve been tired of you for years,” and took a swing at Hernandez. Strawberry’s fist grazed Hernandez and the two were restrained by Mets players. The worst part of this altercation was that the media saw all of it.
All in all, March 2nd was a big day in sports with a future Hall of Famer and college football great being born, Manning getting a massive extension, and two Mets legends getting into a spat.