1996 NFL

1. Brett Favre: Won the MVP for the second straight season. He was unanimously 1^st team All-Pro and the starter for NFC in the Pro Bowl.

He was also named UPI NFC Offensive POY,and MVP by the PFWA and Bert Bell Award.

He led the NFL in TD passes with 39 (3^rdmost ever in a single season). He was second in the league in rating (95.8), third in completions (325), and 4^th in yard (3,899), and threw just 13 Ints.

In December, he torched then 12-1 Denver, for 280 yards and 4 TDs, including three in the second half of a 41-6 pounding.

In the NFC Championship game, Favre helped guide the Packers back to the Super Bowl. He threw two first half touchdowns and for 292 yards in all, in Green Bay’s 30-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

In the Super Bowl Favre gave Green Bay an early lead with a bomb to Andre Rison for a 54 yard TD. He helped the Pack regain the lead on a perfect strike to Antonio Freeman. The second TD was the longest pass (81 yards) in Super Bowl history.

They smoked San Francisco 35-14 in the divisional round of the playoffs. After taking care of upstart Carolina, the Packers won their first Super Bowl in 29 years 35-21 over New England.Favre finished the day with 246 yards and added a rushing score.

Green Bay won the NFC Central with a 13-3 record, the best record in the NFC (tied with Denver for overall best record).

Favre directed the NFL’s top offensive(28.5 ppg) and Green Bay sported the league’s top defense as well (13.1 ppg).

2. Terrell Davis: He was the NFL Offensive POY, consensus first team All-Pro and an AFC Pro Bowler.

He led the AFC with 1,538 yards rushing, 1,838 all-purpose yards, and 345 carries. He was second in the conference in total TDs with 15.

He was 5^th in the NFL with 4.5 yards per carry.

His breakout performance was 194 yards and 2 TDs vs. Baltimore.

Against eventual AFC champion New England he had 210 all-purpose yards (154 rushing) and 3 total TDs (all in the first half) in a 34-8 rout.

Davis ran 14 timesfor 91 yards (6.5 per rush) and added 7 receptions in the divisional round vs. Jacksonville.

His 4^th quarter TD and two-point conversion cut the Jags led to 23-20, but Denver would not get any closer and were upset 30-27.

Denver, along with Green Bay, posted the top record in the NFL at 13-3. They won the AFC West by four games. Davis sparked the AFC’s 2^nd leading scoring offense (24.4 PPG) and the NFL top rushing attack (2,362 yards).

3. Desmond Howard: Was the Super Bowl MVP. He set a Super Bowl record with 244 combined yards. His 99 yard kickoff return changed the game’s momentum, after New England closed within 27-21 late in the 3^rd quarter.

With his performance in Super Bowl XXXI, Howard set Super Bowl records for highest career KR average (38.5), most PRs in a game and career (tied) with 6, and most PR yards in a game with 90.

His game changing return was the longest play in Super Bowl history, a record that stood for 12 years.

Howard was named first team All-Pro by Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers.

He set the current record with 875 PR yards on a league leading 58 returns (3^rd most ever). He topped the league with three PR TDs (3rd most in a season.) He was second in the league with 15.1 yards per punt return.

In the divisional round vs. the 49ers, Howard sparked Green Bay to a 35-14 win.

His first touch of the game he returned 71 yards off a punt for the opening score, and ran back another punt 46 yards to set up the Packers second TD of the 1^st quarter.

He returned four kicks for 104 yards in Green Bay’s NFC Championship route of Carolina.

Overall in the playoffs, he averaged 27 yards per return on punts and kicks (18-487).

He became the 4^th player to win the Super Bowl MVP and Heisman Trophy. (Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett, and Marcus Allen).

1996 College Football

1. Danny Wuerffel: Won the Heisman Trophy. He was the MVP of the Sugar Bowl (national championship).

He won player of the year awards (Maxwell and Camp), and QB of the year (Unitas and O’Brien).

He was 1^st team All-America and led the NCAA in TDs (39) and set a SEC record with 3,625 yards.

Wuerffel set a SEC championship game record with 401 yards and 6 TDs in a 45-30 rout of #11 Alabama.

He helped UF past #9 Tennessee with 4 TD passes.

He had 277 yards and 3 TDs in the Gators 56-13 pounding of #12 LSU, and 346 yards and 3 scores the following week against #24 Auburn.

In the rematch with bitter rival and undefeated then #1 Florida St., Wuerffel torched the Seminoles for 306 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran 10 yards for another TD as Florida routed FSU 52-20.

Florida won their first ever national championship. They won their 4^th straight SEC Championship and was 12-1. They outscored their opponents by 390 points (30 per game).

2. Jake Plummer: He was PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He was 2^nd team All-American.

He finished 3^rd in the Heisman voting.

He threw for 2,575 yards and 23 TDs.

The “Snake” led Arizona St. to stunning upset over then #1 Nebraska 19-0. The win broke the Cornhuskers 26 game winning streak. He was 20-36 for 292 yards and a TD.

He threw for 3 TDs in an opening win over #16 Washington. He single handily carried the Sun Devils to a 42-35 win over UCLA. He threw 275 yards and three scores. He also ran for a TD and caught 16 yard TD on a halfback pass.

In the Rose Bowl against #2 Ohio St. Plummer tied the score at 7 in the second quarter with a 25 yard scoring strike. He gave ASU the lead with his iconic 11 yard TD run with 1:40 to go.

He finished with 201 yards passing on 19-35.

Arizona State was the Pac-10 champion and went 11-0 in regular season (#2 before the bowls). They lost 20-17 in the Rose Bowl to Ohio St and finished #4 in the final poll.

3. Peyton Manning: He was the MVP of the Citrus Bowl with a record breaking performance.

He threw for 407 yards and 4 TDs (still Tennessee bowl records) with then school record 27 completions. His first 3 TDs gave UT a 21-0 lead over #15 Northwestern. He added a 10 yard TD scamper in the Vols 48-28 romp.

Manning was named third team All-American (behind Wuerffel and Plummer) and second team All-SEC. He finished 8^th in the Heisman voting.

He was twice named SEC Player of the Week. He threw for 371 and 2 scores vs. Georgia and 362 and two more TDs vs. South Carolina.

For the season, he passed for 3,278 yards and 20 TDs while completing 64% of his passes.

He set a school record with 492 yards and had 4 TDs vs. #1 Florida but the Volunteers fell behind 35-0, only to lose 35-29.

They were 10-2 overall and 7-1 in SEC play. Tennessee finished ranked #9 in the final polls. Manning directed an offense that put up over 36 points per game.

MLB 1996

1. John Smoltz: Won the NL Cy Young. He was the starter for NL All-Stars (Winning pitcher with two scoreless IP).

He was named the Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News and Baseball Digest. He was the Pitcher of the Month in April and May.

He led the NL in wins (24), winning percentage (.750), IP (253.7), and strikeouts (276).

He was 4^th in the league with a 2.94 ERA.

Smoltz started the season with an 11-1 record, on his way to winning the Cy Young.

During the postseason, he went 4-1 in the postseason with a tiny 0.95 ERA and had 33 SO in 38 IP.

Against LA in the division series Game One Smoltz tossed a complete game.

four-hitter, while just giving up one run in the Braves 2-1 win.

He won games one and five in the NLCS. In Game One went eight giving up two earned.

He helped the Braves erase a 3-1 series defect in Game Five with seven shutout innings.

Smoltz won Game One of the World Series in Yankee Stadium.

He was a tough luck loser in Game Five (1-0 New York win). He gave up one unearned run in eight IP and stuck out ten.

Atlanta won their second straight pennant and fourth in six years after sweeping the Dodgers and outlasting the Cardinals in seven games.

They fell to New York in the World Series in six games after taking the first two games on the road.

The Braves won the NL East with a 96-66 record.

2. John Wetteland: Was the World Series MVP. He saved all four of New York’s wins (the only closer ever to do that in the WS).

He was named the Rolaids Relief Man Award and TSN’s Reliever of the Year. He also was named to the AL- All-Star squad.

During the regular season he led the AL in saves with 43. He posted a 2.83 ERA and 69 K’s in 63 IP.

He closed out Games Two and Three with scoreless ninth innings against Texas.

He picked up the save in Game Three of the ALCS to put NY up 2-1 in the series vs. Baltimore.

In the Fall Classic, Wetteland allowed just one ER in 4.3 IP (2.08 ERA) and struck out six.

New York won the AL East with 92 wins. They beat the Rangers in four and Orioles in five to get to the World Series.

They won their first title since 1978 in six games over the Braves.

3. Albert Belle: Finished 3^rd in the MVP. He was the AL All Star’s clean up hitter and starting LF. He also was a Silver Slugger.

He led the AL in RBIs for the 3^rd time in four years with 148, a career high.

Belle was 2^nd in the league in total bases (375), 4^th in HR (48). He was also in the top 10 in slugging, OPS, runs (124), hits (187), and walks. He also hit .311.

He was known for his powerful swing and rage.

In the division series against Baltimore, he homered twice and drove in six runs.

His bottom of the seventh grand slam in Game Three off Armando Benitez broke a 4-4 tie. The Indians would eventually win 9-4.

Cleveland was upset in four games by Baltimore. The Indians won 99 games and AL Central by 14.5 games and had the top record in baseball.

NBA 1996

1. Michael Jordan: Won the regular season and Finals MVP. He also was named MVP of the All-Star game (20 pt. on 8-11).

He was first team all NBA and All-Defense.

MJ led the NBA in field goals (916), and PPG (30.4). He was second in free throws with 548

and third in steals (2.2).

He played in all 82 games and averaged over six rebounds and four assists per game.

In the 2^nd rd vs. New York Jordan put up 36 PPG in the five game route of the Knicks including 44 in the Bulls Game One win.

Chicago swept reigning East champ Orlando in the conference finals and Jordan’s 45 on 16-23 shooting powered the Bulls into the Finals.

Jordan averaged 27.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as the Bulls beat Seattle in six games to take their fourth title in six years.

Chicago set a NBA record by winning 72 games including 39 at home in the regular season.

2. Gary Payton: Was the Defensive Player of the Year. He was named 2^nd team All-NBA.

He was an All-Star (18 pt, 5 rb, 5 st, 5 ast.) and 6^th in the MVP voting.

Payton was named to the USA Olympic team that won gold in Atlanta. He led the team in assists (36) as he started six of the teams eight games.

The Glove led the NBA in steals per game (2.9) on his way to being named to the All-Defensive team.

He averaged 19.3 points, and 7.5 ast. in 81 games.

Payton helped close out the Kings in round one with 29-6-5 in Game Four.

Seattle swept the two-time defending champions Rockets in four games, led by Payton. He averaged 24.5 points and 7.8 asts while shooting 52% from field and 44% on threes in the series.

In the West Finals he had 21-7-3 (P-A-St) and (18-8-4) in Game One and Two wins over Utah. In the Game Seven clincher he had 21 pts (9-17 fgs)six boards and five asts. in 45 minutes.

He guided the Sonics to wins in Game Four and Five of the Finals against Chicago (13-2 in their previous 15 playoff games.) GP averaged 22 pts. 8.5 ast, 6 rebs. in those games.

Seattle won the Pacific Division and had the top record in the West with 64 wins. They finished 2^nd in the NBA scoring 104.5 point per contest. Seattle advanced to the Finals for the first time since 1979.

3. Karl Malone: Was first-team All-NBA and All-Star (11 pts. 9 rebs.). He was also an Olympian. Malone scored in dbl. figures in USA’s first four games and shot 57% from the field.

During the regular season the Mailman was 2^nd in the NBA in points (2189), field goals (789), and 3^rd in FTs (512).

He averaged 25.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game and shot 52% in all 82 games.

In Utah’s three wins over Portland in round one Malone averaged 29.3 points 11 rebounds, while shooting 57%.

Malone helped give the Jazz a 2-1 series lead with 32-11-6 performance in a 105-75 rout of San Antonio. He had 25-13-6 in Utah’s series clinching win in Game Six.

In the West Finals Malone put up five straight games of 20+pts and 10+ rebs. The Jazz would fall in seven games.

During the playoffs, he finished in the top 5 of all players in total minutes points rebs steals ft and #1 in fgs made. He averaged 26-10-4 in 18 postseason games.

Utah won 55 games and was third in the West. They advanced to the West Finals for the 3^rd time in six seasons.

1996 College Basketball

1. Tony Delk: Was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. He set a championship game record with seven three-pointers and scored 24 points and had seven rebounds.

He was the MVP of the Midwest regional. He scored 22 points vs. San Jose St. in round one and added 25 more against #9 Wake Forest in the regional final, which included 4-5 threes.

Delk was named first team All-American by most major publications and was also the SEC Player of the Year.

He led the Wildcats with 17.9 points per game while shooting 44.3% on threes and 49.4% from the field. He also averaged nearly two steals per contest.

Kentucky went 34-2 and 16-0 in the SEC and finished #2 in the final polls. They would beat four of the top 15 teams in the final AP poll on their way to the national title.

Big Blue took out #12 Utah by 31, #9 Wake by 20 to get to the Final Four. They would avenge an earlier loss by knocking out #1 UMass 81-74 as Delk scored 20.

In the title game Kentucky held off #15 Syracuse 76-67.

2. Tim Duncan: Was first team All-American, and the ACC Player of the Year.

He was named ACC Tournament MVP after a 27 point 22 rebound effort over top seed Georgia Tech. He set tournament records for most rebounds in a final (22) and tournament (56).

He became the first player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring (19.1), rebounding (12.3), blocks (3.8), and field goal % (55.5).

Duncan had two double-doubles to start NCAA play. He put in 27-13 in the sweet 16 win over Louisville, despite coming up with the flu.

In the regional final loss to Kentucky Duncan finished with 14-16-6 in 39 minutes.

Wake Forest finished 26-6 and #9 in the polls. Duncan helped them to the 7^th best defense in the country (61.3 PPG).

3. John Wallace: He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team, All-West Regional team and was a consensus 2^nd team All American.

He was named to the first team All Big East regular season and tournament teams.

Wallace averaged 22.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assist per game. He scored over 30 fives during the season.

He shined during the NCAA tournament with several memorable performances. He had 18 points in each of Syracuse’s early wins over Montana St. and Drexel.

In the sweet 16 against Georgia he had 30-15. It was his pass that set up Jason Cipolla’s tying jumper to force overtime. He then scored the go ahead bucket with less than three seconds in the extra session of Syracuse’s 83-81 win.

He had a game high 21 in the Final Four win over #19 Mississippi St. as he played all 40 minutes.

In the final against #2 Kentucky, Wallace carried the Orangemen with 29 of their 67 points and added 10 rebounds. Syracuse would get to within four points late in the second half until Wallace fouled out.

Syracuse got to their first Final Four in nine years after knocking out #4 Kansas 60-57. They finished 29-9, 12-6 in the Big East and #15 in the final polls.

NFL 1995

1. Brett Favre: Was the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and unanimous first team All- Pro. He was also the starter for the NFC Pro Bowl team (7-14 114 yards TD).

He led the NFL in passing yards with 4413 and TDs with 38 (3^rd most in a season).

Favre was 2nd in league completions (359), rating (99.5), yds /attempt (7.7), and 6^th in comp. % (63.0).

In his final seven games he threw for 21 TDs vs. just 2 Ints as Green Bay went 6-1. He amassed 300+ yards four of those games and over 122.0 QB rating five times.

In the Wildcard round against Atlanta, Favre was 24-35 199 yards and 3 TDs (111.5 rating) as the Packers hammered the Falcons 37-20.

He led Green Bay’s stunning upset of the defending champion 49ers 27-17 in San Francisco. He threw for 299 yards and two scores on 21-28 passing. His two first half TD tosses gave the Packers a 21-0 lead.

He helped Green Bay to a 4^th quarter lead on the road at much favored Dallas in the NFC title game. Favre threw for 307 more yards and 3 TDs. His one-yard scoring pass to Robert Brooks put the Packers in front in the 3^rd quarter.

Green Bay would eventually lose to Dallas 38-27. The Pack went 11-5 and won their first division title since 1972, and advanced to the NFC title game for the first time since Vince Lombardi coached.

2. Emmitt Smith: Set the NFL record with his 25 touchdowns. He was runner up for the MVP, unanimous All-Pro and NFC Pro Bowler.

He led the league in carries (377), yard (1,773), points (150), and yards from scrimmage (2,148).He was 4^th in yards/carry (4.7).

He added 62 catches (2^nd on team) for 375 yards.

Emmitt had 11 100 yard games including four with at least 150.

He was the first and only player in NFL historywith five straight 1.400 yard seasons rushing.

His best game came on Monday Night in Week 1 at New York. Smith ran 60 yards for a touchdown on the game’s third play. He went on to score three more times and run for 163 on just 21 carries.

In the Divisional round win over the Eagles, Smith had 99 yards rushing, 40 receiving and one-yard TD run.

He put Dallas into their third Super Bowl in four years with his performance in the NFC Championship. He gave the Cowboys the lead in the 2^nd quarter with a short TD run, right before halftime.

In the decisive 4^th quarter, he scored the go-ahead and clinching TD. Smith finished the day with 150 yards on 35 carries.

He added two more short TD runs in the Super Bowl, including a four yarder to ice the Cowboys title.

Dallas won their 3^rd Super Bowl in four years. They hammered Philadelphia 30-11 and came from behind to beat Green Bay 38-27 to get to advance to Super Sunday. They beat Pittsburgh 27-17 in the Big Game.

The Cowboys went 12-4, won the NFC East and had the top record in the NFC. They finished 3^rd in the NFL with 27.2 Points per game.

3. Jerry Rice: Was a unanimous All-Pro and Pro Bowler. He set an NFL record with 1848 yard receiving (still stand today.)

His 122 catches were just one short of Herman Moore’s record of 123 in 1994. He averaged over 15 yard per reception.

He also was third in the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns. He was tied for second with 17 total TDs. His 1884 yards from scrimmage were 3^rd in the NFL.

In the 1995 season Rice became the leading receiver in yards and catches for a career in NFL history.

Against the 8-1 Cowboys, helped lead the 5-4 49ers resurgence with 5 catches 161 yards and an 81-yard TD bolt.

He had a career day against Minnesota on Monday Night Football with 14 grabs, a career high and MNF high 289 yards and 3 TDs (all n the first half).

In the playoff loss to Green Bay, Rice had 11 catches (tied playoff high) for 117 yards.

San Fransisco went 11-5 and won the NFC West as well as a 1st round bye. They topped the NFL with 28.6 points per game.

College Football 1995

1. Tommie Frazier: Was the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl (National Championship) and runner up in the Heisman voting.

He was a consensus All-American, Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year, Big Eight Player of the Year, and won the Unitas award (top senior QB).

He was also named by Sports Illustrated as the nation’s top offensive player.

He passed for 1,362 yards and 17 TDs and ran for 604 yards and 14 TDs.

Against # 7 Kansas St. Frazier threw for 4 TDs. The following week, against #5 Colorado he threw for 241 yards and 2 TDs and ran for another score.

In the National Championship game vs. #2 Florida, he had one of the decade’s iconic runs; 75 yards for a touchdown.

He finished the game with 199 yards rushing on 16 carries and 2 TDs and 105 yards and a score through the air.

Nebraska went on to take their second straight national championship in a rout 62-24 over Florida.

They beat four top 10 teams (KSU, Kansas, Colorado and Florida) by an average score of 49-18. The Cornhuskers went 12-0 and easily won the Big Eight in its final season. They scored a NCAA high 52.4 points per game and had average nearly 400 yards rushing per game (399.8).

2 Eddie George: Won the Heisman Trophy and was a unanimous All-American. He won the Camp, and Maxwell awards (Top player), Doak Walker (top RB), and Big 10 Offensive POY.

He led the NCAA with 24 TDs and 144 points (12.0 per game).

His top performance came against Illinois

and the Illni defense that featured future top five picks Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy. He rumbled for a school record 314 yards (8.9 per rush) and three total TDs.

He finished with 1927 yards (2^nd in NCAA), 5.9 yds/carry, 44 rec. for 399 yards and a TD.

George ran for 205 yards and 2 scores in the Buckeyes 45-26 win over #11 Notre Dame.

He had 89 yards and a TD in Ohio State’s 20-14 loss to #4 Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.

The Buckeyes finished the season 11-2. They won their first 11 games, including over #11 ND, #13 Penn St, and #25 Iowa. They finished #6 in the final poll after a loss to Tennessee.

3. Keyshawn Johnson: Was the Rose Bowl MVP. He was a consensus All-American, Pac 10 Offensive POY, and 7^th in the Heisman.

He was 4^th in the country with 90 catches and had 1218 yards and six TDs.

In the Rose Bowl, Keyshawn set a record with 216 yards. He had 12 catches and scored a TD, as USC upset #8 Northwestern.

He also had the game winning TD in a 31-30 win over Stanford.

USC finished the season 9-2-1 and Pac-10 champions (6-1-1) and beat Northwestern 41-32 in Pasadena. The Trojans were #12 in the final poll.