This Day in History – 1966 – The National Hockey League awarded Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a NHL franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The birth of the Penguins along with Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Oakland Seals and St. Louis Blues kicked of the 1960’s NHL expansion period.

NFL Football

Eric Alexander
Born: February 8, 1982, Tyler, Texas
Height: 6′ 3″ – Weight: 230 lbs
College: Louisiana State University
NFL football Linebacker
Pro-career: 2004-present
Career Stats: Tackles 48
Teams: New England Patriots (2004-present)
Honors: Super Bowl champion (XXXIX)

Jameel Cook
Born: February 8, 1979, Miami, Florida
Height: 5′ 10″ – Weight: 237 lbs
College: University of Illinois
NFL football Fullback
Pro-career: 2001-2008
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001-2005); Houston Texans (2006-2007); Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008)
Honors: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl XXXVII Champions

Terry McDaniel
Born: February 8, 1965, Saginaw, Michigan
Height: 5′ 10″ – Weight: 180 lbs
College: University of Tennessee
NFL football Cornerback
Pro-career: 1988-1998
Career Stats: INTs 35; INT yds 667; Touchdowns 6
Teams: Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders (1988-1997); Seattle Seahawks (1998)
Honors: (1992-1996)× Pro Bowl selection
(1992-1995) All-Pro selection

Raleigh McKenzie
Born: February 8, 1963 in Knoxville, Tennessee
Height: 6′ 2″ – Weight: 290 lbs
College: University of Tennessee
NFL football Guard / Center
Pro-career: 1985-2000
Career Stats: Games 227; Starts 184; Fumble recoveries 4
Teams: Washington Redskins (1985-1994); Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1996); San Diego Chargers (1997-1998); Green Bay Packers (1999-2000)
Honors: Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXII Champions
Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXVI Champion

Marcus Pollard
Born: February 8, 1972 in Valley, Alabama
Height: 6′ ” – Weight: 225 lbs
College: Bradley University
NFL football Tight End
Pro-career: 1995-2009
Career Stats: Receptions 349; Receiving yds 4,280; Receiving TDs 40
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1995-2004); Detroit Lions (2005-2006); Seattle Seahawks (2007); Atlanta Falcons (2008-2009)

Larry Walton
Born: February 8, 1947, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Height: 6′ 0″ – Weight: 180 lbs
College: Arizona State University
NFL football Wide Receiver
Pro-career: 1969-1978
Teams: Detroit Lions(1969-1977); Buffalo Bills(1978)

MLB Baseball

Burke Badenhop
Born: February 8, 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia
Height: 6′ 5″ – Weight: 220 lbs
College: Bowling Green State University
MLB baseball Pitcher (RH)
Pro-career: 2008-present
Career Stats: Win-Loss 9-7; ERA 4.68; Strikeouts 92
Teams: Florida Marlins (2008-present)

Aaron Cook *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1979, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Height: 6′ 3″ – Weight: 175 lb.
MLB baseball Starting Pitcher (RH)
Pro-career: 2002-present
Career Stats: Win-Loss 63-50; ERA 4.33; Strikeouts 448
Teams: Colorado Rockies (2002-present)
Honors: 2005 Tony Conigliaro Award
(2008) *All-Star* selection

Willard Marshall *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1921, Richmond, Virginia
Died: November 5, 2000, Norwood, New Jersey
Height: 6′ 1″ – Weight: 205 lbs
College: Wake Forest University
MLB baseball Right Fielder
Pro-career: 1942-1955
Career Stats: Batting avg .274; Home runs 130; RBIs 604
Teams: New York Giants (1942, 1946-1949); Boston Braves (1950-1952); Cincinnati Reds (1952-1953); Chicago White Sox (1954-1955)
Honors: (1942;1947;1949) *All-Star* selection

Felix Pie
Born: February 8, 1985, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Height: 6′ 2″ – Weight: 170 lbs
MLB baseball Outfielder
Pro-career: 2007-present
Teams: Chicago Cubs (2007-2008); Baltimore Orioles (2009-present)
Honors: Hit for the cycle (August 14, 2009)

NBA Basketball

Marques Johnson *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1956, Nachitoches, Louisiana
Height: 6′ ” – Weight: 225 lbs
College: University of California, Los Angeles
NBA basketball Forward / Guard
Pro-career: 1977-1990
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1977 – 1984); Los Angeles Clippers (1984 – 1987); Golden State Warriors (1989 – 1990)
Honors: (1979-81; 1983; 1986) NBA *All-Star*

Alonzo Mourning *All-Rookie* *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1970, Chesapeake, Virginia
Height: 6′ 10″ – Weight: 240 lbs
College: Georgetown University
NBA basketball Center
Pro-career: 1992-2008
Career Stats: Points 14,311; Rebounds 7,137; Blocks 2,3
Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1992-1995); Miami Heat (1995-2002); New Jersey Nets (2003-2004); Miami Heat (2005-2008)
Honors: (2006) NBA Champion
(1999, 2000) NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
(1994-97; 2000-02) NBA *All-Star*
(2002) J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
(1992-93) NBA *All-Rookie* First Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
1998-99 NBA All-NBA First Team
1999-00 NBA All-NBA Second Team

NHL Hockey

Sean Bergenheim
Born: February 8, 1984, Helsinki, Finland
Height: 5′ 10″ – Weight: 205 lbs
NHL ice hockey Left / Right Winger
Pro-career: 2001 – present
Career Stats: Games 183; Goals 30; Assists 27
Teams: New York Islanders

Dino Ciccarelli *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1960, Sarnia, Ontario
Height: 5′ 10″ – Weight: 185 lbs
NHL ice hockey Right Winger
Pro-career: 1980 – 1999
Career Stats: Games 1232; Goals 608; Assists 592
Teams: Minnesota North Stars; Washington Capitals; Detroit Red Wings; Tampa Bay Lightning; Florida Panthers
Honors: (1982-83, 1989, 1997) *All-Star* Games

Kirk Muller *All-Star*
Born: February 8, 1966 in Kingston, Ontario
Height: 6′ 0″ – Weight: 205 lbs
College:
NHL ice hockey Center
Pro-career: 1984 – 2003
Career Stats: Games 1349; Goals 357; Assists 602
Teams: New Jersey Devils; Montreal Canadiens; New York Islanders; Toronto Maple Leafs; Florida Panthers; Dallas Stars
Honors: 1985-86, 1988; 1990; 1992-93) *All-Star* Games