BOlieve: A Sports/Pop Culture Timeline

For the early years of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the team went through several hardships. It originally awarded to Philadelphian construction magnate Tom McCloskey in 1974, but due to missed payments the team would be sold to tax lawyer Hugh Culverhouse before the team could even play it's first game.

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Things wouldn't get much better after they started playing, with the team going 0-26 through it's first two years in the league and only having 1 playoff win in 11 seasons. Hugh Culverhouse notoriously refused to spent any more than the absolute bare minimum required, so much so that the team wouldn't even a true general manger until 1991. Culverhouse's greedy ways would also lead to the team's star players leaving and highly touted free agents refusing to sign with them, most notably when he tried convince Warren Moon to sign in exchange for an investment in a real estate project that would never be built.

Luck would finally begin to change for the team in the 80's with the arrival of 2 major players. The signing of USFL QB Steve Young...

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...and the selection of Auburn RB Bo Jackson.

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Hello everyone, welcome to my brand new timeline (the 2nd one I've ever done). This TL will cover several butterfly effects in the world of sports and entertainment with the first one them being an NFL WI that I'm surprised not many people talk about.

For those who don't know: In 1986, the Buccaneers were looking at prospects to select first overall in the draft. They offered Jackson an all expenses paid trip to Tampa to partake in a physical, claiming they had already cleared it with the NCAA. This would end up being massive lie and Jackson would be suspended for the remainder of 1986 college baseball season. As a result, he refused to play for Tampa, signed with the Royals to play in the MLB and the rest is history. But what if the situation never happened, or at least not result in Bo refusing to play for them? Could He had save the Buccaneers from years of horrible play? Would Steve Young not leave to become a 49er? Can he help turn the team that started 0-26 into a Dynasty? That sounds crazy, but sometimes you just got to...

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Any and all ideas, constructive criticism and feedback would be very much appreciated!
 
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Bo not on the Raiders? Young not in SF? Sign me up (especially if the 49ers get Mirer somehow, and it ends up leading to their collapse earlier).
 
Notable selections in the 1986 NFL Draft

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1-1: Bo Jackson - Buccaneers (Auburn)

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1-3: Jim Everett - Oilers (Purdue)

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2-23: Pepper Johnson - Giants (Ohio State)

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4-14: Charles Haley - 49ers (James Madison)

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6-8: Mark Rypien - Redskins (Washington State)

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8-14: Seth Joyner - Eagles (Texas-El Paso)

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10-5: Vai Sikahema - Cardinals (Brigham Young)
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I know there isn't really any changes in this one, but it would just kinda feel weird if a timeline that focuses on a major football WI started with a non-football related post. The next post (which should be out by tomorrow) will be a fairly massive one for this timeline, so stayed tuned.
 
TOP NBA PROSPECT ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
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- The Baltimore Sun; June 3, 1986

"Len Bias was arrested Monday after police found large amounts of cocaine inside the Maryland native's home, along with longtime friend Brian Tribble and Terrapins teammates Terry Long and David Gregg. Bias was stand out for his time playing for the University of Maryland and was considered a can't miss prospect for this month's NBA Draft, with reports that the Boston Celtics were highly interested in pick him #2 overall. While it's not exactly known how severe the punishments will be for those involved, reports have started to appear about teams removing the consensus first-team All-American from their draft boards."
 
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TOP NBA PROSPECT ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
- The Baltimore Sun; June 3, 1986
View attachment 881523


"Len Bias was arrested Monday after police found large amounts of cocaine inside the Maryland native's home, along with longtime friend Brian Tribble and Terrapins teammates Terry Long and David Gregg. Bias was stand out for his time playing for the University of Maryland and was considered a can't miss prospect for this month's NBA Draft, with reports that the Boston Celtics were highly interested in pick him #2 overall. While it's not exactly known how severe the punishments will be for those involved, reports have started to appear about teams removing the consensus first-team All-American from their draft boards."
Got busted before even consumed.. XD
 
TOP NBA PROSPECT ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
- The Baltimore Sun; June 3, 1986
View attachment 881523


"Len Bias was arrested Monday after police found large amounts of cocaine inside the Maryland native's home, along with longtime friend Brian Tribble and Terrapins teammates Terry Long and David Gregg. Bias was stand out for his time playing for the University of Maryland and was considered a can't miss prospect for this month's NBA Draft, with reports that the Boston Celtics were highly interested in pick him #2 overall. While it's not exactly known how severe the punishments will be for those involved, reports have started to appear about teams removing the consensus first-team All-American from their draft boards."
Hopefully, he's allowed to play somewhere.
 
Sadly, Bias's arrest would have vindicated Jack McMahon, the director of player personnel for the 76ers. He didn't want Len. There was something about him that he didn't like.
 
Sadly, Bias's arrest would have vindicated Jack McMahon, the director of player personnel for the 76ers. He didn't want Len. There was something about him that he didn't like.
Maybe too eager to please groups/fell into peer pressure ? Not to be pedantic/insensible but that's how he ended up dying, have doesn't care about drugs he would have lived (or have his allergic reaction in other place).

Hopefully, he's allowed to play somewhere.
He can always start from the bottom/UDFA or go to Europe to rebuild his name
 
Notable selections in the 1986 NBA Draft

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1-1: Brad Daugherty - Cavaliers (North Carolina)

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1-2: Chuck Person - Celtics (Auburn)

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1-5: Len Bias - Knicks (Maryland)

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1-24: Arvydas Sabonis - Trailblazers (Soviet Union)

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2-1: Mark Price - Mavericks (Georgia Tech)

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2-3: Dennis Rodman - Pistons (Southeastern Oklahoma State)

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2-9: Kevin Duckworth - Spurs (Eastern Illinois)

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2-22: Jeff Hornacek - Suns (Iowa State)

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3-12: Drazen Petrovic - Trailblazers (Yugoslavia)
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KNICKS SHOCK EVERYONE WITH BIAS PICK
- New York Times

"One of the biggest stories heading into draft night was where was Len Bias going to end up. The UM star went from being possible first overall pick in the draft to some analysts suggesting that he might not even drafted in the wake of his arrest. Despite this, the New York Knicks would decide to select him #5 in the draft. When asked about why they decided to select him, general manager Scotty Stirling said "We know that Len is a phenomenal player and think he and Patrick Ewing will be pillars of a future dynasty out here in the big apple. He has agreed to go to rehab as soon as he is able to and we expect him to be a great player when he's ready."


Don't worry, the next post will get back to the football.
 
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I think the best Point of Departure for this, because Bo Jackson would be incensed at being lied to, would be for someone to talk whoever did it with the Buccaneers out of convincing him to come to Tampa. I can easily see that, whoever was in charge had to have someone who they were willing to listen to as a friend who would stand up to them and say they're an idiot. :) Lots of better ways to sell the Buccaneers.

But, does Bo Jackson eventually try to play baseball anyway? Remember that the 1987 strike is coming and he might threaten that.

Also what does this do to Deion Sanders, if Bo Jackson has never been a two sports star with Sanders try? Hmmm, yeah he probably would. He is actually flashy enough that it would be logical for him to try to be the first.
 
I think the best Point of Departure for this, because Bo Jackson would be incensed at being lied to, would be for someone to talk whoever did it with the Buccaneers out of convincing him to come to Tampa. I can easily see that, whoever was in charge had to have someone who they were willing to listen to as a friend who would stand up to them and say they're an idiot. :) Lots of better ways to sell the Buccaneers.

But, does Bo Jackson eventually try to play baseball anyway? Remember that the 1987 strike is coming and he might threaten that.

Also what does this do to Deion Sanders, if Bo Jackson has never been a two sports star with Sanders try? Hmmm, yeah he probably would. He is actually flashy enough that it would be logical for him to try to be the first.
Bo doesn't play Baseball ITTL. As for Primetime, I guess you just have to stay tuned 😉

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1986 IN SPORTS HISTORY

January 4: Rams RB Eric Dickerson rushes for 248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys, an postseason record at the time
January 10: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores the 34,000th point of his career in a game against the Pacers, becoming the first ever NBA player to do so
January 26: The Chicago Bears put on a defensive show in Super Bowl XX, defeating the New England Patriots 46-10
February 8: Spud Webb shocks the world by becoming the shortest player to win the NBA Dunk Contest
February 16: Geoff Bodine wins the 28th Daytona 500 after Dale Earnhardt has to pit for fuel
March 7: Wayne Gretzky breaks own NHL season record with 136th assist
March 11: The NFL officially adopts an instant replay rule
March 21: Pittsburgh Associates purchase the MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates for $218 million
March 31: In the first NCAA Championship to use the 45 second shot clock, Cardinals defeat the Blue Devils 72-69
April 4: Gretzky sets another record by become the first player to score over 213 points in a single season
April 7: Hulk Hogan retains the WWF World Championship against King Kong Bundy in the main event of WrestleMania II
April 20: Michael Jordan scores an insane 63 points in a double overtime loss against the Boston Celtics
April 29: The NFL Draft is held in New York, Buccaneers select Bo Jackson with the first pick
April 30: Bill Elliot sets the pole at Talladega at a record-shattering 212 MPH
May 24: Montreal beats Calgary to win the Stanley Cup
May 30: Barry Bonds makes his MLB debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates
June 3: Len Bias is arrested for drug charges
June 8: Boston wins their 16th championship by defeating Houston in 6 games
July 29: A NY jury makes the NFL pay the rival United States Football League a grand total of $3.76
August 3: The first ever "American Bowl" is played at Wembley Stadium in London, in hopes of bringing new interest in gridiron football to foreign markets
August 18: Houston Gamblers QB Jim Kelly signs with Buffalo on a 5 year; $75 Million deal
October 14: Rising Jim Crockett Promotions star Magnum T.A is involve in a car cash outside his home
October 27: The Mets win the World series, besting the Red Sox in a 7 game series
November 2: Dale Earnhardt clinches his 2nd Winston Cup Series Championship
December 6: University of Miami QB Vinny Testaverde wins the Heisman Trophy


These will start to include some non-sports related pop culture events later on in this timeline.
 
1986 NFL Playoffs
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Official order for the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft

1. Colts
2. Cardinals
3. Oilers (via Bills)
4. Packers
5. Browns (via Chargers)
6. Lions
7. Bills (via Oilers)
8. Eagles
9. Buccaneers
10. Steelers
11. Falcons
12. Saints
13. Cowboys
14. Vikings (via Dolphins)
15. Raiders
16. Dolphins
17. Bengals
18. Chiefs
19. Jets
20. Oilers
21. Seahawks
22. 49ers
23. Patriots
24. Bears
25. Broncos
26. 49ers (via Redskins)
27. Giants
28. Chargers (via Browns)
 
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