October 21

On October 21, 1973, defensive end Fred Dryer of the Los Angeles Rams recorded two safeties in a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He became the first player in NFL history to achieve this rare feat in a single game. Dryer's defensive prowess disrupted the Cowboys' offense and energized the Rams' lineup. His performance earned him widespread recognition and a place in NFL record books. Safeties are among the least common scoring plays, making Dryer's accomplishment especially notable. The game remains a highlight in both Rams and NFL defensive lore.

During the 1984 Formula One season, Niki Lauda and his McLaren teammate Alain Prost engaged in a historic title duel. On October 21, at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Lauda secured enough points to win the championship by the narrowest margin in F1 history—just half a point. His consistency and strategic driving throughout the season proved decisive in the tightly contested battle. The achievement followed Lauda's remarkable comeback from a near-fatal 1976 crash, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport's greatest champions. This victory marked Lauda's third Drivers' Championship and his final year competing at the highest level. He retired from Formula One at the end of the season, closing a storied chapter in motorsport history.