Here's a look back at sports happenings on this date in history, Jan. 17.
1961: Oscar Robertson becomes youngest player to receive NBA All-Star MVP
1961 — The Cincinnati Royals’ 22-year-old rookie sensation, Oscar Robertson, becomes the youngest player to receive NBA All-Star MVP honors. Robertson has 23 points and 14 assists in a 153-131 victory for the West at Syracuse, N.Y.
Cincinnati Royals’ Oscar Robertson, with ball, looks apprehensively over his shoulder as Los Angeles Lakers’ Jerry West adjusts his balance with a firm hand on his back in Morgantown, West Virginia on Feb. 5, 1961. Others are: Cincinnati’s Hub Reed (51)and the Lakers’ Frank Selvy (11). The NBA was played at the WVU Field House, before crowd. (AP Photo)
1971: Baltimore Colts win first Super Bowl under NFL-AFL merger
1971 — The first Super Bowl under the NFL-AFL merger ends with Baltimore rookie Jim O’Brien kicking a 32-yard field goal for a 16-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Baltimore linebacker Mike Curtis reaches for the ball to make an interception of a Dallas pass intended for Dan Reeves (30) in the fourth period of the Super Bowl, Jan. 17, 1971, Miami, Fla. This interception gave the Colts the ball and they went on to win the game on a field goal. (AP Photo)
1986: Tim Witherspoon wins a majority decision over Tony Tubbs for WBA heavyweight title
1986 — Tim Witherspoon wins a majority decision over Tony Tubbs in Atlanta to win the WBA heavyweight title.
Tim Witherspoon tries to avoid Tony Tubbs' left to the head in first round action during their heavyweight bout at the Omni in Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 17, 1986. (AP Photo)
1988: Denver Broncos edge Cleveland Browns after late Earnest Byner fumble
1988 — The Denver Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns for the second straight year in the AFC championship game. Defensive back Jeremiah Castille strips running back Earnest Byner at the Denver 3-yard line with 65 seconds left in the game to preserve a 38-33 victory.
In this Jan. 17, 1988, file photo, Denver Broncos Jeremiah Castille, on ground, looks for a loose football after stripping it from the hands of Cleveland running back Earnest Byner (44) during the closing minutes of the AFC championship game in Denver. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
1995: NFL's Rams announce they're moving to St. Louis
1995 — The NFL Rams announce they’re leaving Southern California after 49 years and moving to St. Louis.
In this Jan. 17, 2012, file photo, St. Louis Rams team owner Stan Kroenke speaks at the press conference in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)
2010: Jeremy Abbott earns a trip to the Olympics
2010 — Jeremy Abbott earns a trip to the Olympics by winning his second national figuring skating title.
Jeremy Abbott pulls a U.S. flag over his shoulders after winning the men's free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash., Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
2011: No. 5 Pittsburgh blows 19-point lead, then rebounds to beat No. 3 Syracuse
2011 — No. 5 Pittsburgh scores the first 19 points only to lose the lead, then comes back behind Nasir Robinson’s 21 points to hand No. 3 Syracuse its first loss with a 74-66 victory.
Pittsburgh's Nasir Robinson (35) puts up a shot behind Syracuse's Baye Moussa Keita (12) in the first half of the NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
2014: Serena Williams becomes the winningest woman at the Australian Open
2014 — Five-time champion Serena Williams becomes the winningest woman at the Australian Open, notching career win No. 61 with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daniela Hantuchova to reach the fourth round.
Serena Williams of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
2016: Carolina Panthers hold off Seattle Seahawks rally to advance to Super Bowl
2016 — The Carolina Panthers surge to 31-0 halftime lead before barely holding off Seattle’s relentless comeback, beating the Seahawks 31-24 to advance to the NFC championship game.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrates his touchdown with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
