Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 11/16/2007

11/16/1980:
Quarterback Doug Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has one of the finest individual games in NFL history, 30-for-55 for 486 yards and four touchdowns, but it's not enough for a victory as Minnesota outscores the Bucs, 38-30. Trailing all afternoon, Williams can't overcome three Tampa Bay turnovers while Minnesota plays error-free football. Tommy Kramer (24-36, 324) throws for two TDs and Ted Brown rushes for two more to lead the Vikes.

Birthdays:
Terry Labonte b. 1956
Corey Pavin b. 1959
Zina Garrison b. 1963
Dwight Gooden b. 1964
Amare Stoudemire b. 1982

INVESTIGATIVE NONFICTION

What’s life like for math whiz kids? Science writer Olson follows the six members of the high school team that went all the way to the 2001 International Mathematical Olympiad to answer that question. He considers what it takes to become a math whiz, notices why there are few girls, and debunks the nerd stereotype. Count Down is a great book for math buffs (there are even a few great puzzlers in the book), especially young adults who’ll be glad to see that number know-how can be cool.

COUNT DOWN: SIX KIDS VIE FOR GLORY AT THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MATH COMPETITION, by Steve Olson (Mariner Books, 2005)