Ten Most Memorable Sports Moments Ever

Jackson McCormick offers his take on sports moments ‘that are too incredible to forget’

Graphic+by+Marissa+Gilchrist

Graphic by Marissa Gilchrist

Jackson McCormick

Everyone has that one moment that is cemented into their minds forever – a moment they will never forget. There are many of these moments in sports. From football to basketball to soccer, these moments are on replay all the time, as they are too incredible to forget. Here are ten of the most memorable moments in sports history.

1) The Immaculate Reception: Back in 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the AFC divisional game against the Oakland Raiders. This game would decide who goes on to the AFC Championship game, and eventually the Super Bowl. The game started off different than most, with both teams not scoring a single point in the first half. By the last 22 seconds of the game, the Steelers were down by one with the score seven to six. The Steelers had one last chance to get into field goal position or to score a touchdown. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw passed straight down the middle of the field, but it bounced off of a Steelers and Raiders player. It looked like it was going to be incomplete and the Steelers would lose. However, Franco Harris, the running back for the Steelers, scooped the ball up right before it was going to hit the ground and he scored to send the Steelers to the AFC Championship.

2) Tom Brady Leaves The Patriots: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were an inseparable duo on the New England Patriots for almost two whole decades. From 2000 to 2019, the New England Patriots were led by Tom Brady, but that all started to change after rumors that Belichick wanted to trade Brady away. After a few years of declining play by the Patriots, the last straw was losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs to the Tennessee Titans. So, before the start of the next season, he left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This marked the end of the Brady-Belichick Patriots Dynasty. For most NFL fans, it was a time of rejoicing, as they wouldn’t have to see Tom Brady win another Super Bowl. For Tom Brady, it was time to start a new dynasty down in Florida. All sports fans remember this moment, as it was pretty recent, and it was a moment of pure joy for many, just like me.

3) Super Bowl LI: In the 51st Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons faced the New England Patriots. The Falcons took a 25 point lead with only 8:31 left in the third quarter. Everyone thought the game was already over, since a 25 point comeback was unheard of with the amount of time they had left. However, Tom Brady and the Patriots did the impossible. The Patriots offense started to click for the first time in the game, scoring on multiple drives, and their defense stopped the Falcons stellar offense from scoring a single point. The Patriots ended up tying up the game with less than a minute left, and they won in overtime. This Super Bowl is remembered by so many.

4) The Minneapolis Miracle: In the NFC divisional playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings were down by one point with ten seconds left in regulation. The Vikings were facing a third and ten situation with a whole 61 yards yards to go to get a touchdown. Their quarterback, Case Keenum snapped the ball and dropped back. He then stepped up and launched the ball to star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and he jumped as high as he could and caught the ball. A Saints player dove to tackle him, but missed and hit another Saints defensive player. This made it so Diggs could land back on the ground and run all the way to the endzone for a touchdown as time expired, making the Vikings win. The Vikings fans went insane as this happened, and the announcers called it “A Minneapolis Miracle!” With this once in a lifetime play, the Vikings punched their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.

5) Kick Six: 2013, the Iron Bowl, Alabama vs Auburn. This matchup was watched by many, since Alabama was #1 in the nation, and Auburn was #4 in the nation. During the game, Alabama dominated the first half, scoring 21 points to Auburn’s seven. However, in the second half, Auburn was able to tie the game with only 32 seconds left. Alabama then drove the ball down the field to get into field goal range. A 57 yard field goal by Alabama would win them the game and secure them a spot in the SEC Championship. Alabama brought in their backup kicker, and he missed the field goal by only a few yards. Auburn had Chris Davis in the endzone to return the ball if it was short. Davis caught the ball and started to run straight and then to the left of the kicking team. Davis was able to dance down the sideline and score a touchdown with no time left, making Auburn win the Iron Bowl against an undefeated, number one ranked Alabama team. This game is one of the most remembered college football games of all time.

6) Malcolm Butler’s Endzone Interception: The Patriots were in their eighth Super Bowl, Super Bowl 49, against the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams went 12-4 in the regular season. The Seahawks were led by quarterback Russell Wilson, and their amazing defense, dubbed the Legion of Boom. The Patriots were led by the great Tom Brady, along with their impressive defense. The game started off normally, as both teams by halftime had scored 14 points. Both defenses were playing great, holding each others’ star offenses to only those two touchdowns. However, the halftime show must’ve helped the Seahawks, as they jumped to a 24-10 lead going into the 4th quarter. For many teams, this would’ve been it, but not for Tom Brady, the comeback kid. He led his team to score two more touchdowns, putting them up over the Seahawks by four. With millions watching, Russell Wilson and his unstoppable running back Marshawn Lynch drove down to the one yard line with only 26 seconds remaining. Wilson then threw the ball to his receiver Tyler Lockett, but Malcolm Butler knew the play, and he ran in and intercepted the ball, saving the Patriots from what seemed to be certain defeat. This Super Bowl came down to the wire, and it was watched by more than 120 million people.

7) Jordan’s Flu Game: In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA finals, the Chicago Bulls played the Utah Jazz. Michael Jordan was gearing up to play in this crucial game, with the series tied 2-2. However, Jordan came into the game with a high fever and flu-like symptoms. At this point, Jordan was cemented as one of the best players in the NBA and of all time, but this sickness made him and the Bulls seem like underdogs in this game. Jordan dragged himself onto the court, and he scored an insane 38 points to help the Bulls win Game 5. Jordan’s teammate Scottie Pippen had to almost drag Michael Jordan off the court afterwards. This game was a highlight for Jordan, and it was a thrill for all who watched it or remember it.

8) Miracle On Ice: The Miracle on Ice was a moment that only your parents and grandparents will remember. Back in 1980, the US and the Soviet Union faced off in the first game of the medal round. The USA team was made up of mostly amateur players, and they were the youngest team in USA national team history and in the tournament. The Soviet Union was a heavily favored team over the US, as they had won gold in five of the last six Olympic Games. During the game, the US and Soviets were neck and neck for the first period. Then, the Soviets scored and were up 3-2 by the end of the second period. However, this didn’t deter the eager Americans, and they came back and scored to tie up the game halfway through the last period. Then, the Americans scored again to gain the lead with a score of 4-3. The US then held the lead against a ferocious attack by the desperate Soviets, and they won the game and eventually the gold medal. This is remembered by millions as one of the greatest wins in US and sports history.

9) Chicago Cubs Win World Series: Back in 1908, the Chicago Cubs won the MLB World Series. After that win, the Cubs have failed to win another World Series. However, after 108 years, the Cubs were back in action in the 2016 World Series. The Cleveland Indians were playing the Cubs in this championship, with both teams looking to end their decade long droughts. Game 1 went to the Indians, Game 2 was won by the Cubs, and Games 3 and 4 were won by the Indians, making the Series 3-1 to the Indians. The Indians only needed to win one more game to send the Cubs packing and extending their 108 year drought. The Cubs had other plans for the Indians however, as they won the next two World Series games, tying the whole series up at 3-3. The 7th and final game of the 2016 World Series would decide who would win it all. Throughout the 7th game, the score was close, and by the end of the 9th inning, the score was tied at 6-6. So, the game went into the 10th inning, in which the Cubs got up to a 8-6 lead. Then, the Indians struck back and made it a one run game with the score at 8-7. The Cubs held on and sealed the game, ending their 108 year drought. Cubs fans and sports fans remember this World Series as one of the most intense ever, and it was a moment remembered by all as the day the Chicago Cubs finally won.

10) The Philly Special: The Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017-2018 season were a powerhouse. With a second year quarterback Carson Wentz, and a solid offense and defense, the Eagles ended the regular season with a 13-3 record. However, they lost their franchise QB Carson Wentz to a torn ACL during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. So, backup Nick Foles had to lead the Eagles through the playoffs, which he did, leading the Eagles to the 52nd Super Bowl. They faced the New England Patriots, who were back in the Super Bowl with their quarterback Tom Brady. During the game, the Eagles had one more chance to score a touchdown with about 30 seconds left before halftime. The Patriots called a timeout to ice the Eagles and make them nervous about going for the touchdown instead of kicking the chip-shot field goal. After the timeout, the Eagles ran the play called the Philly Special. As the play unfolded, QB Nick Foles lined up at the end of his offensive line, like a tight end, and his running back snapped the ball, like he was the quarterback. He then tossed the ball backward to the tight end that was running around the running back and the whole entire offensive line. The final trick to this play is the tight end, then throws the ball to the quarterback for a touchdown. It all worked perfectly, tricking the Patriots defense, and cemented itself in NFL history.