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Anyone over the age of 30 remembers where they were 16 years ago Thursday, the anniversary of a truly game-changing sports day.
On June 17, 1994, there was a confluence of sporting events happening that might not seem significant without a white Bronco.
As it turned out, the day changed media and celebrity coverage dramatically.
Not unlike this Thursday, there were plenty of sports happenings on that Friday back in 1994.
The New York Rangers were conducting a Stanley Cup victory parade in Manhattan.
The legendary Arnold Palmer was playing in his final U.S. Open at his home course.
The soccer World Cup kicked off in Chicago, while at the same time the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets were battling it out in the NBA Finals.
But then O.J. Simpson went on the run in his white Bronco through the streets of Los Angeles, and the slow-speed chase became one of the must-see TV events in history.
Quickly the arrest, trial and eventual acquittal of the former NFL running back dominated headlines on television and in newspapers while also becoming the running joke on talks shows.
ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary series debuted the one-hour film June 17th, 1994 on the 16th anniversary. TSN will replay the film over the weekend, and it should bring back strange memories for thirtysomethings.
"June 17th, 1994, happened to be one of the few days over the course of the last 30 years of sports in which you had a range of stories and subjects and emotions that I felt would really provide me with the canvas to tell this unique story," said director Brett Morgen, who made the acclaimed documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002).
"Ultimately what we were trying to do was find one day that sort of captured all of the highs of sports and the lows of sports."
If viewers are torn this weekend between World Cup, U.S. Open golf or the latest Stephen Strasburg start for the Washington Nationals, consider how shocking a celebrity event would be to garner your attention.
In the world of TMZ and Twitter, sports celebrity scandals can be witnessed on a daily basis -- Tiger Woods is a great example of that.
TSN feeling a draft coming
TSN is ramping up its NHL draft coverage in the coming week and hyping the 'difficult' decision the Edmonton Oilers face.
Although it seems quite clear the Oilers will take Taylor Hall with their first pick, Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini is playing ball by saying he's willing to listen if other teams have trade offers.
At least there is some drama building. Whether or not the Oilers do anything out of the ordinary won't change what TSN has planned for a week of draft talk.
James Duthie will host the Friday and Saturday shows from the Staples Center in Los Angeles while Gord Miller will lead the panel of analysts Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire.
The lead-up starts Monday with McKenzie's draft ranking special, plus there is a two-hour countdown Thursday -- the same night as the NHL awards from Las Vegas.
Around the dial
The NHL Network has a quick rewind of the Stanley Cup final Saturday with all six games in succession, finishing with the Chicago Blackhawks parade through the Windy City streets . . . Canadians can now relive the entire Vancouver Olympics in a five-DVD set now available through the CTVOlympics.ca. The feature is narrated by Brian Williams and includes everything from Jon Montgomery's walk through Whistler to Sidney Crosby's golden goal.
ian.busby@sunmedia.ca