Today in sports history: Jan. 26
In 2020, LA Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant dies in a helicopter crash in the hills above Calabasas. See more sports moments from this date.
1913: Jim Thorpe gives up his track medals from 1912 Olympic games
1913 — Jim Thorpe gives up his track medals from the 1912 Olympic games as a result of his having been a professional. He had been paid $25 for playing in a semipro baseball game.
This is an undated photo of Jim Thorpe in a baseball uniform.
1951: Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott are elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
1951 — Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Three members of Brooklyn Dodgers read inscription on plaque enshrining Mel Ott, former New York Giant outfielder and manager, in Baseball’s Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York on July 23, 1951. Ott and Jimmie Foxx, former Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics first baseman, entered Hall of Fame at same time. Left to right are Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges and Peewee Reese. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
1955: Joe DiMaggio is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
1955 — Joe DiMaggio is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Joe DiMaggio former New York Yankee outfielder visits friends in Wellesley, Mass was named to Baseball’s Hall of Fame today, Jan. 26, 1955. The others named were Ted Lyons, Arthur (Dazzy) Vance and Leo (Gabby) Hartnett. (AP Photo/Frank C. Curtin)
1960: Pete Rozelle chosen as new NFL commissioner
1960 — Pete Rozelle is chosen the new commissioner of the National Football League.
Commissioner Pete Rozelle of the National Football League speaks to the Philadelphia football writers at a luncheon on Feb. 26, 1960 in Philadelphia, Pa. (AP Photo)
1986: Chicago Bears win their first NFL championship since 1963
1986 — The Chicago Bears win their first NFL championship since 1963 by setting a Super Bowl-record for points scored in defeating the New England Patriots 46-10.
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka is carried off the field by Steve McMichael, left, and William Perry after the Bears win Super Bowl XX in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 26, 1986. The Bears' Willie Gault (83) and Maury Buford (8) join in celebrating their 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
1992: Washington Redskins beat Buffalo Bills for their third Super Bowl title in 10 years
1992 — The Washington Redskins win their third Super Bowl in 10 years, beating the Buffalo Bills 37-24, putting the game away with 24 straight points after a scoreless first quarter.
Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien reacts after Gerald Riggs ran the ball into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis, Minn., Sunday, Jan. 26, 1992. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
1997: Big-play Packers, led by Brett Favre, beat Patriots in Super Bowl
1997 — The Green Bay Packers, behind big plays, beat the New England Patriots 35-21 in the Super Bowl. Brett Favre finds Andre Rison for a 54-yard touchdown on the Packers’ second offensive play, then throws an 81-yard TD pass to Antonio Freeman in the second quarter. Desmond Howard, the first special teams MVP, scores on a 99-yard kickoff return to put away the Patriots.
This Jan. 26, 1997, file photo shows Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre celebrating after throwing a touchdown pass to Andre Rison during first quarter action at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)
2002: Jennifer Capriati produces greatest comeback in a Grand Slam final
2002 — Jennifer Capriati produces the greatest comeback in a Grand Slam final to overcome Martina Hingis and defend her Australian Open title. Capriati saved four match points before clinching a 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 victory over Hingis.
This Jan. 26, 2002 file photo shows Jennifer Capriati holding her trophy after defeating Martina Hingis in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens, File)
2007: Martin Brodeur extends his NHL record for consecutive 30-win seasons to 11
2007 — Martin Brodeur makes 28 saves, extending his NHL record for consecutive 30-win seasons to 11, as the New Jersey Devils beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0.
New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30) and Brad Lukowich (21) celebrate after New Jersey beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 in an NHL hockey game Friday night, Jan. 26, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
2007: Mark Recchi scores two goals, including the 500th of his career, in Penguins win
2007 — Mark Recchi scores two goals, including the 500th of his career, in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 shootout win over Dallas.
Dallas Stars Trevor Daley (6) and goalkeeper Marty Turco (35) look back as a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Mark Recchi (8) scores in the third period of a hockey game in Dallas, Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. The score was Recchi's 500th career goal in the Penguins won, 4-3. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
2008: Mirai Nagasu becomes second-youngest woman to win U.S. figure skating championship
2008 — Mirai Nagasu becomes the second-youngest woman to win the title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The 4-foot-11 14-year-old falls on her opening jump, a double axel, but lands six triple jumps, three in combination, in her program.
Mirai Nagasu performs in the ladies free skating segment at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
2013: Ashley Wagner becomes first woman since Michelle Kwan to win back-to-back U.S. titles
2013 — Ashley Wagner became the first woman since Michelle Kwan in 2005 to win back-to-back titles in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Earlier, Olympic silver medalists and 2011 world champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White win their fifth straight dance title, matching a U.S. record.
Ashley Wagner smiles as she competes in the senior ladies free skate program at the U.S. figure skating championships, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
2013: Victoria Azarenka wins her second consecutive Australian Open title
2013 — Victoria Azarenka wins her second consecutive Australian Open title, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Mike and Bob Bryan become the most decorated doubles team in Grand Slam history by winning their 13th major title, beating Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-4 in 53 minutes.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hugs her trophy after winning the women's final against China's Li Na at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
2020: Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash
2020 - LA Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant dies in a helicopter crash in foggy conditions in the hills above Calabasas, southern California; considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Today's other top stories include trans veterans suing the VA for gender-affirming care, King Charles heads to the hospital for an operation, and LeBron James makes the NBA All-Star team for a record 20th time.