Dec. 12, 2012 -- 12/12/12 -- will be the last three of a kind on the calendar this century. The next time the month, day and year will be the same numerically? Try Jan. 1, 2101.
To commemorate this occasion, we have selected the 12 of the greatest athletes to wear No. 12. And just so it's not all about numbers, here they are in alphabetical order:
Celebrating 12-12-12 Day On The Calendar With 12 Of The Greatest Athletes To Wear No. 12 Slideshow
Roberto Alomar
Alomar won 10 Gold Gloves, the most ever by a second baseman, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. He helped the Blue Jays win the World Series in 1992 and 1993. A switch-hitter, Alomar batted .300 or better nine times.
Terry Bradshaw
The first overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft led the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles, winning the MVP award twice. He was also the league MVP in 1978 and was selected to three Pro Bowls. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Tom Brady
The Patriots quarterback has taken his team to five Super Bowls, winning three. He set the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a season with 50 in 2007 when the Patriots were undefeated until the Super Bowl. He was NFL MVP in 2007 and 2010.
Yvan Cournoyer
The Roadrunner helped the Canadiens with eight Stanley Cups with his speed and scoring. He had 11 consecutive seasons of 25 goals or more. A key contributor for Canada in the famed 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, Cournoyer was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Bob Griese
Griese was a two-time All-American at Purdue and led the Boilermakers to a win against USC in the 1967 Rose Bowl. He helped the Dolphins reach three consecutive Super Bowls, winning twice. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Dwight Howard
At 27, Howard should be just entering his prime. He has already led the league in rebounding four times and was named the NBA defensive player of the year three times. He helped Orlando reach the NBA finals in 2009 before losing to the Lakers.
Jarome Iginla
The longtime Calgary winger has the coveted combination of skill, strength and toughness. He twice scored more than 50 goals in a season, including 2002 when he also helped Canada win the Olympic gold medal. Iginla is the first black captain in NHL history.
Jim Kelly
Kelly started his career with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL and was named league MVP in 1984 after throwing 44 touchdown passes. After joining the NFL, Kelly led the Bills to four consecutive AFC championships in the early 90s. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Dickie Moore
Moore led the NHL in scoring twice (1958 and 1959) and was the part of six Stanley Cup championship teams with the Canadiens. Known for combining skill and grit, Moore was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Joe Namath
Broadway Joe will forever be known for guaranteeing -- and delivering -- the Jets' win in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts. It gave instant credibility to the AFL and helped lead to the merger with the NFL. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Roger Staubach
A Heisman Trophy winner at the Naval Academy in 1963, Staubach served a tour of duty in Vietnam, among other military obligations, before joining the Cowboys. He led Dallas to two championships, including Super Bowl VI in which he was MVP. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
John Stockton
Stockton is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals. He was on the U.S. Olympic team in 1992 and 1996, and he helped the Jazz reach the NBA finals in 1997 and 1998. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2009.
