The last time the United States hosted a World Cup, one of the strangest nights in sports history unfolded

Live sports remain one of the last unifying forces in the American zeitgeist, and one of the only things that friends and families gather around television for and form a community around. Although Streaming services YouTube and YouTube have broken the viewing masses and changed our habits, most of the time, people still follow events like the World Cup and FIFA World Cup. NBA Finals Live on a mainnet.

the World Cup It feels inevitable this year, bigger than ever — more teams, more media coverage — but it reminds me of the last time the United States hosted the tournament, in 1994. Not because of what happened on the field, but because of what happened on the day the tournament started, as we all gathered around the TV to watch it.

June 17 was the opening day of the 1994 World Cup. President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, two of the most famous people in the world in 1994, were there. It was also the night of Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks (hate to remind you, but the Knicks lost in seven games). That day also saw Ken Griffey Jr. tie one of Babe Ruth’s home run records when the Seattle Mariners played the Kansas City Royals. Arnold Palmer played his final round at the US Open.

I don’t remember most of this, except for the fact that one of my favorite documentaries is in it ESPN’s 30 for 30 seriestitled June 17, 1994, is an incredible reminder of how important that day was in sports history… and how it was all overshadowed by the OJ Simpson car chase that interrupted all those programs so we could watch one of the most exciting moments in pop culture unfold before our eyes.

I know you know this, but as a refresher, Simpson’s wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her boyfriend, Ron Goldman, were found murdered five days ago, and OJ Simpson became the prime suspect. He was expected to surrender himself to police on June 17. Simpson did not show up, remained missing for several hours and was declared a fugitive.

Then, later that evening, he led police on a low-speed chase around Los Angeles for about two hours in a white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Collings. During most of the chase, Simpson threatened suicide and held a gun to his head, before eventually returning home and surrendering. The New York Times reported That 95 million people, or 67% of all American households, witnessed stalking. It was broadcast on ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN, pre-empting any sports coverage fans would follow.

For those of us who were alive at the time, we probably all had a “Where were you during the OJ chase?” The story, though, is not something that comes up often in conversations these days. In fact, if it weren’t for the title of this documentary, I certainly wouldn’t remember the date on which it happened. But I can’t help but remember it all clearly now that the World Cup is back in the United States and the Knicks are back in the NBA Finals.

June 17, 1994, directed by Brett Morgen, weaves together all of that day’s televised sports coverage with the news coverage surrounding the Simpson case, culminating in one of the most charged moments ever broadcast live. What could have been a truly remarkable day in sporting history, and would certainly have taken on a more celebratory feel, was completely overshadowed by another off-field sporting drama.

The film’s detailed chronological narrative allows the tension of the sporting events and Simpson’s actions to play out in real time. Most of us remember the chase, but what led up to it, the film reminds us, involved long hours of uncertainty and a mounting sense of fear that this might end in more tragedy. All the current excitement around the major sporting events happening this week and month is exhilarating, but it’s as if it has triggered a sensory memory, taking me right back to that day 32 years ago.

Whether you were alive to witness that day or not, the film is a must-see, as it is told almost entirely through live television and news footage, and captures the many emotions and moods of that moment perfectly.

June 17, 1994 Currently available on ESPN Unlimited And on NetflixIronically, he will be leaving Netflix on June 16.