January 20, 1989, remains one of the darkest days in Turkish football history. On the way to their away match against Malatyaspor, the Samsunspor delegation tragically collided with a truck, leading to the heartbreaking loss of several lives. Head Coach Nuri Asan, players Mete Adanır, Muzaffer Badalıoğlu, and Zoran Tomic, along with the bus driver Asım Özkan, all perished in the accident.
That day, football in Turkey lost more than just players; it lost friends, mentors, and teammates. The community, in its collective grief, was left in shock. To honor and remember these heroes, every January 20th, the tradition of wearing the Black Shirt is upheld. This symbol of mourning and remembrance serves as a tribute to those who were lost.