This Day in History: 1932 – German-born Swiss physicist Albert Einstein is granted an American visa.

Dave Ahrens
Born: December 5, 1958, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Height: 6′ 3″      Weight: 238 lbs.
College: University of Wisconsin
NFL football Linebacker
Pro-career: 1981-1990
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals(1981-1984), Indianapolis Colts(1985-1987), Detroit Lions(1988),  Miami Dolphins(1989), Seattle Seahawks(1990)  

Charles “Charlie” Batch
Born: December 5, 1974, Homestead, Pennsylvania
College: Eastern Michigan University
NFL football Quarterback
Pro-career: 1998-present
Teams: Detroit Lions (1998–2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (2002–present)
Honors: 2000 All-Iron Award
             2 Super Bowl championships (XL, XLIII)

Perry Berezan
Born: December 5, 1964, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height: 6′ 2″    Weight: 190 lbs.
College: University of North Dakota
NHL ice hockey Center
Pro-career: 1985-1993
Teams: Calgary Flames, Minnesota North Stars, San Jose Sharks

Ted Connolly
Born: December 5, 1931, Oakland, California
Height: 6′ 3″       Weight: 240 lbs.
NFL  football Guard
Pro-career: 1954-1963
Teams: San Francisco 49ers(1954-1962), Cleveland Browns(1963)
Honors: 1 time Pro Bowl  

Eddy Curry Jr.
Born: December 5, 1982, Harvey, Illinois
Height  6′ 11″      Weight 295 lb
College: DePaul University
NBA basketball Center
Pro-career:  2001–present
Teams:  Chicago Bulls (2001–2005), New York Knicks(2006-present)

Trai J. Essex
Born: December 5, 1982, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Height: 6′ 4″    Weight: 324 lb
College: Northwestern University
NFL football Offensive Lineman
Pro-career: (2005-present)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2005-present)
Honors: 2 Super Bowl Championships (XL, XLIII)

Cliff Floyd, Jr.
Born: December 5, 1972, Chicago, Illinois
Height: 6′ 4″    Weight: 230 lb.
MLB baseball Outfielder
Pro-career: 1995-present
Teams: Montreal Expos (1993–1996), Florida Marlins (1997–2002), Montreal Expos (2002), Boston Red Sox (2002), New York Mets (2003–2006), Chicago Cubs (2007), Tampa Bay Rays (2008), San Diego Padres (2009)
Honors: 2001 All-Star selection
             1997 World Series champion (Florida Marlins)

Hanley Frias
Born: December 5, 1973, Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic
Height: 6′ 0″      Weight: 160 lb.
MLB baseball Infielder (LH)
Pro-career: 1997-2000
Teams: Texas Rangers (1997), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000)

Steve Furness
Born: December 5, 1950, Providence, Rhode Island
Died: February 9, 2000, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height: 6-4    Weight: 255 lbs.
College: University of Rhode Island
NFL football Defensive Tackle
Pro-career: 1972-1981
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers(1972–1980), Detroit Lions(1981)
Honors: 4 time Super Bowl winner (as player) — IX (1974), X (1975), XIII (1978), XIV (1979)
              1974, 1975, 1978, 1979 AFC Champion (as player)

Niklas Hagman
Born: December 5, 1979,Espoo, Finland
Height  6′ 0″      Weight  205 lb
NHL ice hockey Forward/Right Winger
Pro-career: 1997 – present
Teams:  Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars
Honor: Olympic Silver Medal – Finland Men’s ice hockey  – 2006 Turin

Kevin Haller
Born: December 5, 1970, Trochu, Alberta, Canada
Height: 6′ 2″      Weight: 199 lbs.
NHL ice hockey Defenseman
Pro-career: 1990-2002
Teams:  Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Islanders
Honors: 1993 Won Stanley Cup with the Canadiens

Tyrone Eugene “Gene” Harris
Born: December 5, 1964, Sebring, Florida
Height: 5′ 11″    Weight: 190 lb.
MLB baseball Pitcher (RH)
Pro-career: (1989-1995)
Teams: Montreal Expos (1989), Seattle Mariners (1989-1992), San Diego Padres (1992-1994), Detroit Tigers (1994), Philadelphia Phillies (1995), Baltimore Orioles (1995)

Olli Jokinen
Born: December 5, 1978, Kuopio, Finland
Height  6′ 3 “      Weight  215 lbs
NHL ice hockey Center
Pro-career: 1995 – present
Clubs: Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)(1998–99), New York Islanders (1999–2000), Florida Panthers(2000–2004) (2005–08), Phoenix Coyotes (2008–09), Calgary Flames (2009–present)

Mike Mahoney
Born: December 5, 1972, Des Moines, Iowa
Height: 6′ 1″   Weight: 200 lbs.
College: Creighton University
MLB baseball Catcher
Pro-career: 2000-2005
Teams: Chicago Cubs (2000, 2002), St. Louis Cardinals (2005)

Gus Mancuso
Nickname: “Blackie”
Born: December 5, 1905,
Died: October 26, 1984)
MLB baseball *All-Star* Catcher
Pro-career: 1928-1945
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1928, 1930-1932), New York Giants (1933-1938), Chicago Cubs (1939), Brooklyn Dodgers (1940), St. Louis Cardinals (1941-1942), New York Giants (1942-1944), Philadelphia Phillies (1945)
Honors: (1935, 1937) *All-Star* selection
 (1931, 1933) World Series champion
  1935 & 1937 National League All-Star
  Participated in the 1930, 1936 and 1937 World Series

Rufus Mayes
Born: December 5, 1947, Memphis, Tennessee
Died: January 1, 1990
Height: 6′ 5″      Weight: 260 lbs
College: Ohio State University
NFL football Offensive Lineman
Pro-career: 1969-1979
Teams: Chicago Bears (1969), Cincinnati Bengals(1970-1978), Philadelphia Eagles(1979)

James Arthur “Art” Monk
Born: December 5, 1957, White Plains, New York
Height: 6′ 3″      Weight: 210 lbs.
College: Syracuse University
NFL football Wide Receiver
Pro-career: 1980–1995
Teams: Washington Redskins (1980-1993), New York Jets (1994), Philadelphia Eagles (1995)
Honors: First player to record a touchdown reception in 15 consecutive seasons
             First NFL player to surpass 900 career receptions, finishing career with 940 (all-time record at the time)
              First player to collect at least one reception in 183 consecutive games
              (1984, 1985, 1986) Pro Bowl selection
              (1984, 1985) First-team All-Pro selection 
              (1984, 1985) First-team All-NFC selection 
              (1986) Second-team All-NFC selection
              (1980) All-Rookie team
              Super Bowl Champion (XVII, XXII, XXVI)
              NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
              Redskins’ Ring of Fame

Don Padgett
Born: December 5, 1911, Caroleen, North Carolina
Died: December 9, 1980, High Point, North Carolina 
Height: 6′ 0″   -  Weight: 190 lb.
MLB baseball Catcher/Outfielder
Pro-career: 1937-1948
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1937-1941), Brooklyn Dodgers (1946), Boston Braves (1946),  Philadelphia Phillies (1947-1948)

Kevin Payne
Born: December 5, 1983, El Dorado, Arkansas
Height: 6′ 0″    Weight: 215 lbs.
College: University of Louisiana at Monroe
NFL football Strong Safety
Pro-career: 2007-present
Teams: Chicago Bears (2007-present)

Gary Roenicke
Born: December 5, 1954, Covina, California
Height: 6′ 3″      Weight: 205 lb.
MLB baseball Outfielder
Pro-career: 1976-1988
Teams: Montreal Expos (1976), Baltimore Orioles (1978-1985), New York Yankees (1986),  Atlanta Braves (1987-1988)
Honors: 1983 World Series champion

Hiraldo  “Chico” Ruiz
Born: December 5, 1938, Santo Domingo, Cuba
Died: February 9, 1972, San Diego, California (33 years)
Height: 6′ 0″  -  Weight: 173 lb.
MLB baseball Infielder
Pro-career: 1964-1971
Teams: Cincinnati Reds (1964-1969), California Angels (1970-1971)

Brandon Siler
Born: December 5, 1985, Daytona Beach, Florida
Height: 6′ 2″      Weight: 241 lbs.
College: University of Florida
NFL football Linebacker
Pro-career: 2007-present
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2007-current)

William “Bill” Simpson
Born: December 5, 1951, Detroit, Michigan
Height: 6′ 1″      Weight: 184 lbs
College: Michigan State University
NFL football Defensive Back
Pro-career: 1974-1982
Teams: Los Angeles Rams(1974-1978),  Buffalo Bills(1980-1982)

Joshua “Josh” Smith
Born: December 5, 1985, College Park, Georgia
Height  6′ 9″      Weight    240 lb
NBA basketball Forward
Pro-career: 2004–present
Teams: Atlanta Hawks (2004–present)
Honors: 2004-05 All-Rookie Second Team
 2005 Slam Dunk Champion

Thomas Lee Smith, Jr.
Born: December 5, 1970, Gatesville, North Carolina
Height: 5′ 11″      Weight: 188 lbs.
College: University of North Carolina
NFL football Defensive Back
Pro-career: 1993-2001
Teams: Buffalo Bills(1993-1999), Chicago Bears(2000), Indianapolis Colts(2001)

Arthur “Art” Still
Born: December 5, 1955, Camden, New Jersey
Height: 6′ 7″      Weight: 253 lbs.
College: University of Kentucky
NFL football Defensive End
Pro-career: 1978-1989
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1978-1987), Buffalo Bills (1988-1989)
Honors: (1977) All-America 
              (1978) NFL All-Rookie
              (1980-1982, 1984) Pro Bowl selection
              (1980) First-team All-Pro selection
              (1984) Second-team All-Pro selection
              (1980, 1986) First-team All-AFC

Marvin L. White
Born: December 5, 1983, Port Barre, Louisiana
Height: 6′ 1″      Weight: 199 lbs.
College: Texas Christian University
NFL Football Safety
Pro-career: 2007-present
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals(2007–2008), Dallas Cowboys(2009), Detroit Lions(2009–present)

John Wooten
Born: December 5, 1936, in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Height: 6′ 2″      Weight: 235 lbs.
College: University of Colorado
NFL football Guard
Pro-career: 1959-1968
Teams: Cleveland Browns(1959-1967), Washington Redskins(1968)
Honors: 1965, 1966 Pro Bowl