While I am not a sporting person, I certainly can appreciate the great moments that sports has given to history. This is but a drip in the ocean of many such moments. Remember, if you can think of others that you believe deserve a place here, or should be considered for a second list, tell us in the comments.
Great Moment: The Catch
The Catch was the winning touchdown reception from Joe Montana to Dwight Clark in the January 10, 1982 NFC Championship American football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. The Catch is widely regarded as one of the most memorable events in NFL history. Montana threw a high pass to the back of the end zone. 49ers receiver Dwight Clark made a leaping grab with his fingertips from the back of the end zone for the winning touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game.
Great Moment: Diego Maradona’s goals for Argentina against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
AKA The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century. The Hand of God, one of the most controversial goals, was scored as the result of an illegal (but unpenalised) handball by Diego Maradona in the quarter-final match of the 1986 FIFA World Cup between England and Argentina. Five minutes later, Maradona scored another goal, the Goal of the Century, also known as “Greatest Goal in FIFA World Cup History”, was an award given for the greatest goal ever scored in a FIFA World Cup tournament. Maradona then began his 60-metre, 10-second dash towards the English goal, leaving behind five English outfield players (Hodge, Beardsley, Reid, Butcher and Fenwick) as well as goalkeeper Peter Shilton to make the score 2–0 to Argentina.
Great Moment: Rocky Marciano Retires As Heavyweight Champ Undefeated at 49-0
was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit (87.8% knockout rate), remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career.
Great Moment: Kerri Strug’s one footed Vault
Was an gymnast for the 1996 Olympics, upon her first attempt Strug under-rotated the landing of her first attempt, causing her to fall and damage her ankle. Strug thus limped slightly to the end of the runway for her second attempt. She landed the vault briefly on both feet, almost instantly hopping onto only her good foot. Strug raised her arms after her vault, saluting the judges. She then needed assistance off the landing platform due to the injury. The completed vault received score of 9.712, which ended all doubt about whether the Americans would receive the gold.
Great Moment: Jackie Robinson Signs a Major League Contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers
He was the first African-American major league baseball player of the modern era in 1947. his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers ended approximately eighty years of baseball segregation. In the United States at this time, many white people believed that blacks and whites should be segregated or kept apart in many aspects of life, including sports.
Great Moment: Bob Beamon long jumps 29′ 2 1/2 inches to shatter the world record by more than two feet
On October 18, 1968 at Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Beamon set a World record for the Long jump with a jump of 8.90 m (29 ft. 2½ in.). Destroying the last record by about 2 ft. Sports journalist Dick Schaap wrote a book about the leap, called The Perfect Jump. The record stood for 23 years until Mike Powell broke it by only 2 inches in 1991.
Great Moment: Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech
A native of New York City, he played for the New York Yankees until his career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly referred to in the United States as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Over a 15-season span between 1925 and 1939, he played in 2,130 consecutive games. On July 4, 1939, a dying man stood before over 60,000 people and told them he was the “luckiest man on the face of the earth” for being able to play in ballparks for 17 years, and recieve nothing but kindness and encouragement from his fans. Lou Gehrig became a symbol of what sports, and maybe life is all about. accepting your destiny, giving it your all, and enjoying every moment, good or ill.
Great Moment: Mark McGwire over Sammy Sosa, 70-66, for the new home-run crown
There was much media speculation as to where Maris’ HR record would be broken in 1998, and a debate as to who would break it, Ken Griffey, Jr. or McGwire. As the 1998 season progressed, it became clear that McGwire, Griffey, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa were all on track to break Roger Maris’ single-season home run record. The race to break the record first became a media spectacle as the lead swung back and forth. On September 8, 1998 at 8:18 p.m. et, McGwire hit a pitch by the Chicago Cubs’ Steve Trachsel over the left field wall for his record-breaking 62nd home run, setting off huge celebrations at Busch Stadium. McGwire finished the 1998 season with 70 home runs, four ahead of Sosa’s 66.
Great Moment: Bobby Thompson’s shot heard round the world
Thomson became a celebrity for hitting a game-winning home run in a playoff game, off of Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca, to win the 1951 National League pennant. The home run (nicknamed the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”) is perhaps the most famous in baseball history. The Dodgers and Giants split the first two games. This forced the decisive contest on October 3rd at the Polo Grounds. The Dodgers took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Giants’ cause appeared lost. But Thomson’s homer turned what looked like a certain defeat into a 5-4 victory. The moment was immortalized by the famous call of Giants play-by-play announcer Russ Hodges who cried, “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!”
Great Moment: Wilt Chamberlain Scores 100 Points in a Single Game
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, named by the National Basketball Association as one of its greatest games, took place between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962 at Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. With 46 seconds left, Chamberlin had 98 pts. Chamberlain got free from the five Knicks, jumped high and stuffed the ball through the hoop for an alley-oop slam dunk to hit the century mark. The arena exploded in a frenzy. Over 200 spectators stormed the floor, wanting to touch the hero of the night. Some confusion remains about whether the game’s last 46 seconds were played. According to the NBA, play was halted and never resumed.
Great Moment: Cal-Stanford Play
The Play refers to a last-second kickoff return during a college football game between the University of California Golden Bears and the Stanford University Cardinal on November 20, 1982. Given the circumstances and rivalry, the wild game that preceded it, the very unusual way in which The Play unfolded, and its lingering aftermath on players and fans, it is recognized as a highly memorable play in college football history and among the most memorable in American sports.
Great Moment: Jesse Owens Debunks Aryan Myth
Adolf Hitler was using the games to show the world a resurgent Nazi Germany. He and other government officials had high hopes German athletes would dominate the games with victories. Meanwhile, Nazi propaganda promoted concepts of “Aryan racial superiority” and depicted ethnic Africans as inferior. Owens surprised many by winning four gold medals. one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4×100 meter relay team.
Great Moment: Michael Phelps wins 8 Gold Medals at the Olympics
In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals, the record for the most medals won at a single olympics. With this record, he surpassed Mark Spitz, who had held the previous gold medal total with the seven. In the 2008 Olympics Michael Phelps set 7 new world records, only missing the 100 m Butterfly, where he beat Milorad Čavic by 0.01 seconds.
Great Moment: Michael Jordan’s Final Shot
Michael Jordan is often referred to as the best player to play the game. He is a 5 time NBA MVP and 6 time NBA finals MVP. Michael Jordan played his last game with the bulls
in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals at the Delta Center, the Chicago Bulls led the series 3-2, but trailed the game 86-85 with 10 seconds left. Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left. Jordan then released a shot that would be rebroadcast innumerable times in years to come. The perfect way to go out. We can all just pretend the wizards never really happened.
Great Moment: 1980 USA Hockey Team Defeats Soviet
Rag tag bunch of mostly teenaged amateurs, barely together a few months and playing a sport invented and perfected elsewhere, take on the most polished, professional and unbeatable team in the history of international hockey, and win it. In exhibitions that year, Soviet club teams had gone 5–3–1 against National Hockey League teams, and a year earlier the Soviet national team had defeated the NHL All-Stars 6–0 to win the Challenge Cup. The Soviet and American teams were natural rivals due to the decades-old Cold War. In the final seconds of the game the crowd began to count down the seconds left. Sportscaster Al Michaels, who was calling the game on ABC along with former Montreal Canadians goalie Ken Dryden, picked up on the countdown in his broadcast, and delivered his famous call “…Eleven seconds, you’ve got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk…five seconds left in the game…Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” US won the game 4-3. This victory was voted the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century by Sports Illustrated.
Great Moment: Mike Tyson Takes A Bite of Evander Holyfield’s Ear
Tyson and Holyfield fought on June 28, 1997.
The most controversial event in modern sports, the fight was stopped at the end of the third round, with Tyson disqualified for biting Holyfield on both ears. The first time he bit him they stopped the match but later resumed. However after the match resumed Tyson did it again except this time he got disqualified and Holyfield won the match. One bite was severe enough to remove a piece of Holyfield’s right ear, which was found on the ring floor after the fight.
This article is licensed under the GFDL because it contains quotations from Wikipedia.
Contributor: Paulb
I’ve been reading this site for over a year; some of the recent lists suck! This is easily the worst! The older ones are awesome.
You have a huge fan base here, please do some research and look at non-American sources first.
And no cricket! Dear God.
Pretty good list.
When it comes to Michael Jordan I honestly his performance in game 5 of the 1997 finals was one of the most amazing things i’ve ever seen. Those who’ve watched enough basketball and seen what is famously remembered as “The Flu Game” will most likely agree with me that that was one of the greatest moments in sports history.
I’d also include the 1986 mets-red sox world series when Bill Buckner had the ball go under his legs.
It’s a pure disgrace that the greatest act of sportsmanship in Australian sports history wasn’t included in this list. During the 1500 metres at the 1956 Australian champs, John landy Doubled back to help Ron Clark who had fallen after another runner had clipped his heel. He then made up a huge defecit to win the race in the last two strides.
I guess you are forgetting about the 72 Summit Series, the Montreal Canadiens 5 consecutive Stanley Cups (or 24 total, most successful pro team ever), or Wayne Gretzky’s 1851 point to become (and remain) the leading point scorer in NHL history?
the Jesse Owens entry is kinda PC bunk, since, in fact, the “German athletes would dominate the games with victories.” They did, indeed win the most medals, by an overwhelming amount.
I just found this site last night and am hooked! The USA hockey upset over Russia is the greatest sporting event that I remember watching so I have to agree that that should be # 1…just my opinion. To this day I can’t hear Al Michaels words without getting all teary-eyed. Toni_M #101…the Lance Cairns “six 6′s in 10 balls”…what sport is that…Cricket?
i am american so i think this list is really interesting but i think another list for maybe europe or australia and other places should be included as well. i am glad you included micheal phelps. he was awesome in the olympics.
maybe that would be a cool list too.
top olympic athletes or wins or something.
Yes there are too many American moments for my liking, however there are plenty of non American competitions involved. I also would not have included McGuire/Sosa or Mike Tyson.I won’t comment on too many of the US sports as I am not a big follower, however I will say That Wilt The Stilt Does belong. Michael Doesn’t – because you can’t forget the Wizards, sorry.
Some alternative suggestions
Olympics
Nadia Comenici
Teofilio Stevenson (Third successive Superheavy Boxing Gold)
Usain Bolt at Beijing
Paavo Nurmi 5 golds at 1924 Olympics including 1500 and 5000 26 minutes apart, both in WR time.
1952 Marathon won by Emile Zatopec with first 8 finishers all under WR
1960 Marathon Abebe Bikila’s barefoot victory
Note For those that have suggested Tommi Smith and John Carlos at Mexico – That was not a SPORTING moment.
Athletics
Roger Bannister 4 min mile
Football
1999 Champions league Final allowing Man U to win Treble.
Ryan Giggs goal in 99 FA Cup semi
John Terry miss in penalty shoot out of 2008 Champions League final
Cricket
Jim Laker 10/53 in an innings vs Australia Manchester 1956
Gary Sobers 6 sixes in one over against Glamorgan
Brian Lara 400 runs in single innings v England 2004
Motorsport
1966 Le Mans McLaren/Amon victory (okay I’m a Teeny weeny bit biased here – however it was Ford’s first of 4 straight and the first formation finish)
1935 German GP another slap in the face for Hitler when the German juggernaut was derailed by Tazio Nuvolari in one of the greatest drives ever.
1957 German GP Juan Manuel Fangio’s finest win.
Dale Earnhardts Daytona 500 win
Boxing
Louis – Schmelling
Ali – Frazier 3
Ali – Foreman
Foreman – Moorer (not the greatest fight, but it’s historical significance)
Duran – Leonard 1
Rugby
NZ vs Wales 1978 Brian McKechnie’s 78th minute penalty to win
or the NZ Vs Ireland game on the same tour when Andy Dalton scored in injury time to get the All Blacks home
Jonah vs England 1995 World Cup
Cheers
Lee
OMG
greatest moment was when ali beat foreman in the rumble in the jungle, best fight ever.
michael clarke’s 3 wickets in the final over to win in 2007/8
Whoops forgot
Tigers first Masters (not because of the race implications – just the sheer dominance he showed)
Tigers (currently)last major win on one leg
Cheers
Lee
Im a football guy so… these deserve mention
*Rose Bowl 2005 Texas Vs USC (The entire game, not just the final drive)
*Fiesta Bowl 2007 Boise 43 Oklahoma 42 (final hook and later play, amazing game)
*Texas Tech vs Texas about 2 weeks ago, amazing final drive
*Super Bowl 38, Carolina-Patriots
*The amazing catch of the giants in the last superbowl
*Ohio State 42 VS Michigan 39 2006 season. (The latest a #2 and a #1 have played in the regular season. Ohio also played another #2 that season, the earliest ever VS Texas… Ohio beat them both but got destroyed in the BCS championship Vs Florida)
The list is called Greatest Sports moments of all time and it doesn’t deliver. No wonder so many people are unhappy with it… A list like this should contain sports moments that practically everyone would agree despite not having any interest in the sport. Baseball and Amercian Football, Cricket and Rugby are basically a no-go because of their “limited” interest (barely a few countries each) It would have to be really incredible moments (Lou Gehrig is ok but I know better moments)
I can’t say I watch too mush sport but from the top of my head some other incredible moments (most of them are football because it’s the only sport I watch basically):
Nadia Comenici
1966 World Cup Final and the controversial third English goal
The 2005 Champions League Final
The 1950 World Cup Final (Uruguay won over Brazil in Brazil)
The Football War between Salvador and Honduras
Zidane Headbutt
The Ukraine-Nazi Germany football match during WW II
Quite a few Muhammed Ali or Suger Ray moments
The 1-0 english loss to USA in the 1950′s
The 1954 WC final between Germany and Hungary
I’m sure there are many more interesting events in these and other sports. I think the main thing here is a good story. Jesse Owens acomplishment is incredible because of the circumstance. Just breaking a record shouldn;t be enough.
Here’s one for you.. Sir Donald Bradman being dismissed second ball for a duck (that’s 0 for you non-cricket types), leaving his career average on 99.94. If he had’ve scored 4 runs or more his average would have been over 100. Just to put this into context, the next highest average is 66.
Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s record.
Beamon’s record was set in the THIN, THIN, THIN air at the high altitude of Mexico City and should have always had an asterisk because of this. There has never been a major track and field event in Mexico City because of this. I was thrilled when Powell finally broke it and left Beamon behind.
Well, first, let’s say the obvious first. I’m argentinian and the list carries too many US-inside moments. There! I said it. Ok, let’s move on. Paulb did a good job compilling this list (you can agree or not, but is well done and checked). But I realized it’s not the list but the title what’s most controversial. Maybe it can be redone? Anyway, I think I can contribute with some more moments. just for the fun of it.
1- Brazil wins its 5th World Cup on Japan/Korea 2002 (only team ever to win 5 of them)
2- Argentina defeats the “Dream Team” in FIBA World Cup 2002
3- Someone before mentioned the chess match between Bobby Fischer and Spasky. I couldn’t agree more on that.
4- And finally, any final match between Federer and Nadal. Epic.
PS: The Hand of God, totally shameful. But the same match the guy rubs the lamp, and scores the best goal ever. Go figures.
All you idiots who cry about not enough world sports shut the hell up. The world does exist but youre anti americanism is as bad as Hitlers anti jew stance. Grow up. And get over it.
Our sports make more money than any sport except MAYBE soccer. Te Super Bowl averages 30millio viewers a yea not to mention the radio listeners and people there.
Grow up, get over it.
If you want me to get anti world
Who’s saved the worlds ass Twice in the last 100 years?
If not for us, you’d be speaking german.
SHut up and know your facts
Pete: Speaking of shutting up and getting over your it? Take your own advice.
Some suggestions for International sports moments.
Dean Jones’ double century in 40+ degree(celcius) heat in India batting for 6 hours. This was back when sportsmen didn’t drink water or “sports drinks” when dehydrated, they drank anything. I believe Dean was drinking soda during the innings. He was so dehydrated he was vomiting everywhere, had pins and needles all over his body, couldn’t bend over and was urinating involuntarily but kept going. He ended up in hospital.
http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/142306.html
St George winning 11 First Grade premierships in a row.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George_Dragons
England winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Well this list found all the whiners.
Waah waah it’s too US-centered: guess what, that’s because soccer is boring as hell, and that’s really the only major non-US sport. Why do you think there has to be a riot at every soccer game? Because it’s so mind-destroyingly boring. You’re bringing up chess matches? Really? That’s a game, not a sport.
How about a list of Greatest US College Sports Moments? That would be great if we could keep these soccer-babies from posting on it.
Montreal Canadiens 5 consecutive Stanley Cups should be there… Or Miami Dolphins perfect season…
What about Secretariat’s triple crown, especially his running of the Belmont Stakes which he won by 25 lengths?
Maximuz, I agree that the USC vs. UT game at the 2005 Rose Bowl should have been mentioned, since ESPN and the entire nation had decided that USC was the greatest even before the game was played. But the UT vs. Tech game two weeks ago is pretty much like every Big XII game in and game out. There were some massive holding calls missed by the refs (and I’m not a girl who blames the refs for everything, but if you watched the play where Orakpo was hurt, that was blatant holding, just for example, which was not called). Eh, we will see what Tech can do against OU next week.
Please, please.
For the sake of being fair for all of the other great countries of the world that participate in sport – rename this list to the top 15 greatest AMERICAN sport moments of all time.
wow, “the other sane one” is 100% correct. Mind destroyingly borin indeed.
@ robneiderman I don’t understand your issue with Diego Maradona. Of course the “Hand of God” goal was a handball, but most soccer players have had a handball at one point or another; his just happened on the biggest stage in soccer. Besides, as an American who ignores soccer, it’s the only goal I really know about, so that speaks to its greatness.
124. boneking
Actually, the most successful pro team in North America (looking nervously at non-North Americans) is the New York Yankees with 26 Championships
It kills me to say it cause there is no team I hate worse than the Yankees (take a guess where my loyalties lie, haha). But, it’s the sad truth
I agree with The Only Sane One, this list is too world-centric. America is the centre of the Universe so why bother with anything other than American sports.
Next time there’s an top 10 inventions list, Edison should be on all 10. And a top 10 Medieval historical list, America should dominate that list too.
michael phelps and the american hockey win should not be on that list
Makybe Dive winning the Melbourne Cup 3 years in a row.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makybe_Diva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Cup
It’s all about usa and it’s sport that nobody else play. If u put heading ‘Top 15 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time’ try to be true to it. Or call it Top 15 Greatest UAS Sports Moments of All Time
I think if you don’t agree with the list, post your own, otherwise don’t cry and whine just because you don’t agree with it. I’m American and I know all these, I may agree or disagree with some, but lists are subjective. The person making them may have a different idea of what’s great than you do. Just because people want to hate on the U.S. doesn’t mean that these weren’t some people’s idea of greatest moments. I think the hatred of American sports is petty and childish. I played soccer for 12 years and love the sport. Pele was one of my personal heroes. I may not understand some sports from other countries, but I am willing to agree that they probably have their greatest moments too. But, it is subjective, what one thinks is greatest may not be what others think, so don’t criticize, instead, publicize, your own list.
All great moments in Sports! Nice job.
The 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute by athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos with Australia’s Peter Norman sporting the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in a show of solidarity is one of the most iconic images of sports history. When I saw the list I thought for sure it would be on there – though it does wander more into the political territory, I suppose.
But with the response to this list, I think we can safely add sports to such subjects as religion and guns, which makes people go nuts and call each other names on listverse.
i watched Michael Phelps every time. it was a pain with school though being all late and stuff
Paul Henderson’s legendary goal, people! Look it up.
Paolo Di Canio’s goal for West Ham against Wimbledon. March 26th, 2000
How about Andy Flower and Henry Olonga wearing black armbands to mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe? Both men retired from cricket at the end of that World Cup, their protest effectively ending their careers.
Two more to consider are Shane Warne’s first ball in Ashes tests (yes, THAT ball to Gatting) and Eric Moussambani’s swim in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Lol if this was just my opinion, it would have been a little different.
I must have had like 20 different Greatest Sports moments list, and 18 or 17 of them all had Miracle on Ice as #1, a few of them had Michael Jordans shot ranked from 1-6. So it wasn’t just my opinion, it was compiled off of 20 different lists.
Lilith Hel, Mike Tyson was a bonus, he wasn’t ranked. It was supposed to be funny. But i apologize you humor arrays aren’t charged as high as they should be
robneiderman,
Everyone knows the Hand of God was cheating. Oh but that Goal he made afterwards was so beautiful, it was enough to compensate for 7 Hands of Gods.
Mazeroski’s HR was more dramatic than Thompson’s since it actually won a World Series. That’s the difference between playing for a NY team and beating a NY team.
Wow. So many American moments. Apparently the rest of the world doesn’t play sport. Maradona’s the only non-American one.
Well, for those who are saying that this is just someone’s opinion, I don’t think most of us would like if we all here added our lists as our own opinions on this site for everyone to read. Point I am trying make here is that even if these lists are compiled by one of us they have to be thoroughly researched and be more global or at least abide to their title.
I absolutely would have added the feat of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay et. al. for conquering something where so many died attempting before them, or those who climbed K2 for the first time since it is supposedly more treacherous. There are many other sporting moments mentioned by a lot of other folks on the comments section and they are truly universal (true to list universe’s one of the connotations, I don’t know if Jamie meant it that way).
A couple of times earlier I have mentioned how older lists were really great and newer lists are losing that touch, it would be great if that same old touch could be revived. All said, I definitely appreciate paulb’s efforts for creating this list and Jamie’s efforts for creating this wonderful web site for infusing us to a world of knowledge.
GREAT LIST I LOVE IT!
I could say something like “Hey what about this moment or hey what about this?”
But then other people would be unhappy about my addition. Can’t make everyone happy can you?
leave as is, i love it paulb
No mention of Doug Flutie’s “The Pass”. I am very shocked.
no. 57 lisandro: 1 tough dude
Could you people complain any more?
139. Pete did your country think we will make up for “saving there asses” by trying to destroy the world economy?
*****er
warrrreagl
Fair challenge, i’ll rise to it. Here is my list of top 15 sporting moments, in no particular order.
1. Lewis Hamilton winning the 2008 f1 world championship on the last corner on the last lap of the last race.
2. Jonny Wilkinson winning the 2003 Rugby World cup with the last kick of the game
3. Liverpool winning the 2005 champions league with one of the greatest comebacks ever
4. Manchester United doing a similar feat, winning the 1999 champions league with 2 goals in the last 2 minutes
5. Michael Phelps, 8 golds in the 2008 Olympics
6. Nadia Comenici getting a perfect 10, TWICE
7. Flojo getting the 100 metre record nearly 30 years ago. Name a track record that has stood for that long.
8. The US hockey team winning THAT game.
9. Rumble in the Jungle
10. Greece winning the 2004 Euro Championships
11. Jesse Owens, in a Barack Obama like moment
12. The Wimbledon Final between Nadal and Federer
13. Jackie Stewart’s winning mnargin of 4 minutes at the Nurbergring
14. New York Giants ending the Patriots incredible run.
15. Roger Bannister first to break 4 minute mile
That would be my list, but the whole point of lists is subjective. Oh well, you can please everyone can you? Everyone is biased towards their prefered sport, so lets just leave it at that.
139. pete. sure took your time getting motivated there buddy, have you actually won a war since 1945? sorry but you started it.
if you want to talk money, the highest paid national sporting team in the world is the indian cricket team. and i think you will find most elite forms of motorsport to have more viewers than any other sport.
for attendance you will find that the US does not rate in the top 8 for international club competition in any sport, and the super bowl is ranked 16 for attendence to a domestic club championship event.
NFL does however have the highest average attendence per game for a domestic league, but IPL (cricket), Bundesliga (football), AFL (better football), and Premier League (football) all rate higher than MLB (baseball, if you didn’t know).
so there you go, i checked the facts (wiki never lies); your turn buddy.
everyone; i apologise for my first sentence above. sorry.
abit bia’s towards america lol, what about ole gunner for man united in 1999 and teddy , scored 2 goals in the last 2 minutes to win the champions league! ( at 90 minutes we was 1-0 down)
and another one is the fact that man united won the treble that year, another great moment in itself
Whythisnow – I dont think anyone can argue that the miracle on ice shouldn’t be number 1. There hasn’t ever been such a large upset on such a national stage. Yes, most american sports don’t have the national stage that americans think they do and to be honest, they don’t. So basically the largest stages in the world are the olympics and the world cup. The american team was a bunch of college kids because they had to be amateurs (US rules at the time was that athletes for the olympics had to be amateurs, no professionals). The russian team was the most dominant team in the world ever. They didn’t just beat the US nhl teams (which were multi-national teams, american, canadian and european), they beat the world, over and over (from 1960 when the US had last won the olympic hockey gold, the russians won easily in 64, 68, 72, 76 and were favored to win the gold in 80)
This was an american team of kids that was put together with maybe a year of practice playing against the most seasoned veterans on this world stage, some who had been playing together for over a decade.
This is the ‘little engine that could’ the world over.
and what about joe calazge’s boxing record?
i wouldnt be suprised if you american *****ers had ”rocky beats mr t” as one your best sports moments, u *****wits
Gaz nice commet made me lol
Paulb,
I think the list is great, and very interesting. it’s just the title that was a bit misleading (perhaps a little like naming the American Baseball championship “The World Series”…). Anyway, apart from the Baseball and Football moments, I believe any sport’s fan from any country in the world could relate to the items on the list. Just off the top of my head, I would also add:
1. Nadia Comaneci’s perfect 10.
2. Lance Armstrong winning the 1999 Tour de France, after recovering from cancer.
3. Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich, the two last goals at the 1999 UEFA Cup Final.
4. Smith’s and Carlos’ Black Panther raised fists at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Very American, but also a moment that became an International one.
Again, thanks for the list.
14 out of 15 are Americans. WTF?
I have to agree with a couple of the earlier posters. Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series Game 1 winning home run would have to be on the list for me.