Sunday, November 8, 2009

Great Moments in Wheaties History

After the blaze orange Wheaties box burned holes into my brain this week, it made me wonder: who was the first person to ever appear on the front of the box?

But before I tell you the answer, a word from our sponsor:



Interestingly, the first athlete on the cover of a Wheaties box was not a professional. He was an Olympian: decathlon gold medalist Bob Richards in 1958.

Here's some other Wheaties trivia, which may or may not be helpful at a party sometime, according to the Wheaties website:

• First non-orange Wheaties box: It was a red-and-black package released in 1992 to honor the NBAChampion Chicago Bulls.

• First woman on the front of box: Gold medal gymnast Mary LouRetton in 1984.

• First team to appear on front of box: The 1987 World Champion Minnesota Twins.

• First hockey team: The 1991 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

• First golfer: Lee Trevino in 1969.

• First football player: Walter Payton in 1986.

First race car driver: Dale Earnhardt in 1997.

• Athlete to appear on box most number of times: Michael Jordan – 18 times, including
appearances with the NBA champion Chicago Bulls in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Tiger Woods is second with 16 box appearances. Gee, I wonder if he'll pass Michael?

1 comment:

Sarah Denn said...

Go Twins!!! I believe my brother still has that box unopened along with a few of the Chicago Bulls.

I loved the use of the handheld mic in the clip - perhaps the lav was not invented then.