During his career, quarterback John Elway saved the day numerous times for the Denver Broncos but his performance in the AFC championship game against the Cleveland Browns on this day 30 years ago topped the list of his heroics.

With five-and-a-half minutes to go in the fourth quarter of the match and trailing 20-13 at Denver, Elway took charge. With the touchdown line 98 yards away, he showed the best of his quarterback abilities, allowing Mark Jackson and Rich Karlis to tie the game.

In overtime, Elway set up a 33-yard goal to Karlis that gave the Broncos a 23-20 victory and a ticket to the prestigious Super Bowl.

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Other memorable events on this day:

1946: Bert Bell becomes second NFL commissioner and moves Chicago headquarters to Philadelphia.

1990: Pat LaFontaine sets a NY Islander record of scoring in 11 straight games.

1997: ‘Swiss Miss’ Martina Hingis defeats Jennifer Capriati in three sets 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 to win the Sydney International.

1998: Muttiah Muralitharan’s figures of 7-94 sees Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the first Test.