sports history today Today in sports history

Wow, sports fans, have we got a treat for you today! We've scoured the archives and found 20 of the greatest moments in sports history. These moments will have you on the edge of your seat and cheering for your favorite team.

1. Kirk Gibson's Walk-Off Home Run

It's Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are down by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. The crowd is on their feet, hoping for a miracle. And that's exactly what they get when Dodgers slugger Kirk Gibson, who was unlikely to play due to injuries, comes up to bat and hits a two-run walk-off homer to win the game. It's one of the most iconic moments in baseball history.

2. Jesse Owens Wins Four Gold Medals

The 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin were supposed to be a showcase for Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. But African-American runner Jesse Owens had other plans. Owens won four gold medals in track and field events, including the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, and the 4x100-meter relay. His victories were a powerful statement against racism and bigotry.

3. The Miracle on Ice

The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, were the setting for one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The United States men's ice hockey team, made up of mostly college players, defeated the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round. The Americans' 4-3 victory, which came on a goal by Mike Eruzione, became known as the Miracle on Ice.

4. Michael Jordan's Flu Game

Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz is known as the Flu Game. Chicago superstar Michael Jordan was suffering from a severe case of the flu but decided to play anyway. Jordan scored 38 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out five assists in a gutsy performance that helped lead the Bulls to victory. It's considered one of Jordan's greatest games.

5. Brandi Chastain's World Cup Winning Penalty Kick

The United States women's soccer team won the 1999 World Cup in dramatic fashion. In the final against China, the game went to penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. After U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry made a crucial save, it was up to Brandi Chastain to seal the victory. Chastain's penalty kick found the back of the net, and she celebrated by ripping off her jersey in a moment that became an instant classic.

6. The Immaculate Reception

The Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing the Oakland Raiders in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game with seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a desperation pass that bounced off of Raiders safety Jack Tatum and into the hands of Steelers running back Franco Harris, who ran the ball in for a touchdown. The play became known as the Immaculate Reception and is one of the most famous plays in NFL history.

7. Secretariat Wins the Triple Crown

In 1973, Secretariat became the first horse in 25 years to win the Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. What made Secretariat's win even more impressive was the way he won. In the Belmont Stakes, he set a world record by winning the race by an astounding 31 lengths. It's still considered one of the greatest performances in horse racing history.

8. Roger Bannister Runs the Four-Minute Mile

For years, scientists and coaches believed that it was impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes. But in 1954, British athlete Roger Bannister proved them all wrong. He ran a mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds, becoming the first person in history to break the four-minute barrier. Bannister's accomplishment was considered a defining moment in sports history and inspired countless others to push the limits of what they thought was possible.

9. The Catch

The San Francisco 49ers were down by six points to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game with just seconds left on the clock. Joe Montana, the 49ers' quarterback, dropped back to pass and launched a high pass to the back of the end zone. Wide receiver Dwight Clark leaped up and caught the ball, securing the 49ers' victory and a trip to the Super Bowl. The play became known as The Catch and is one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.

10. Usain Bolt Wins Three Gold Medals in Beijing

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing were dominated by Jamaica's Usain Bolt. The sprinter won gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the 4x100-meter relay. But it wasn't just that Bolt won; it was how he won. Bolt set world records in all three events, and his victory poses became a viral sensation. Bolt is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter in history.

11. The Music City Miracle

The Tennessee Titans were facing elimination in the 2000 AFC Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills. With just 16 seconds left in the game, the Titans kicked off to the Bills, who returned the ball 16 yards before lateraling it to Frank Wycheck. Wycheck then threw the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson, who ran it in for a touchdown. The play became known as the Music City Miracle, and it propelled the Titans to the Super Bowl.

12. Babe Ruth's Called Shot

The 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs was tied at one game apiece. In Game 3, Yankees legend Babe Ruth came up to bat and, according to legend, pointed to center field, indicating that he was going to hit a home run there. And that's exactly what he did on the next pitch, launching a towering blast to center field. The Called Shot has become one of the most famous moments in baseball history, although some dispute whether or not Ruth actually called his shot.

13. The Shot Heard 'Round the World

The 1951 National League pennant race between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers was one of the most intense in baseball history. The teams finished the regular season in a tie, which forced a three-game playoff to determine the winner. In the deciding game, the Giants were down by three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Outfielder Bobby Thomson came up to bat and hit a three-run homer to win the game and the pennant. The homer became known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.

14. Nadia Comaneci's Perfect 10

The 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal were the setting for a historic moment in gymnastics. Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci became the first person in Olympic history to score a perfect 10, accomplishing the feat on the uneven bars. Comaneci would go on to score six more 10s and win three gold medals at those Olympics.

15. The Thrilla in Manila

The 1975 heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier was one of the most brutal in history. It was the third meeting between the two fighters, and it took place in the sweltering heat of Manila, Philippines. The fight lasted 14 grueling rounds, with Ali ultimately emerging as the victor. The Thrilla in Manila is considered one of the greatest boxing matches of all time.

16. The Shot

The 1989 NBA Playoffs featured a first-round matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the series tied at two games apiece, Game 5 came down to the final seconds. Bulls superstar Michael Jordan hit a jump shot over Cleveland's Craig Ehlo to give the Bulls the win and send them to the second round. The Shot is one of the most memorable moments in NBA playoff history.

17. The Black Power Salute

The medal ceremony for the 1968 Olympic Games men's 200-meter race will forever be remembered for the raised fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Smith won the gold, Carlos won the bronze, and during the playing of the American national anthem, the two athletes raised their fists in a Black Power salute to protest racial inequality in the United States. The moment was controversial at the time but has since become a symbol of resistance and solidarity.

18. The Goal of the Century

The 1986 FIFA World Cup featured a quarterfinal match between Argentina and England. In the second half of the game, Argentine legend Diego Maradona scored a goal that has become known as the Goal of the Century. Maradona showed off his dribbling skills as he weaved through the English defense, eventually putting the ball in the back of the net. It's one of the most famous goals in soccer history.

19. Brett Favre's Monday Night Miracle

The Green Bay Packers were trailing the Oakland Raiders 27-23 on Monday Night Football in 2003 with just 22 seconds left in the game. Quarterback Brett Favre launched a high pass to the back of the end zone that was caught by wide receiver Antonio Freeman, who was lying on his back. The play became known as the Monday Night Miracle and is one of the most memorable moments in Monday Night Football history.

20. The Tuck Rule Game

The 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders took place in a snowstorm at Foxboro Stadium. In the fourth quarter, with the Patriots down by three, quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass but was hit by Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson and fumbled the ball. The Raiders recovered, and it appeared that they had sealed the victory. However, officials ruled that Brady's fumble was actually an incomplete pass due to the Tuck Rule, which states that a quarterback's throwing motion is not complete until he regains control of the ball. The call was controversial at the time but ended up propelling the Patriots to their first Super Bowl victory.

These 20 moments in sports history are just a few examples of the incredible feats that athletes have accomplished over the years. Whether it's winning a championship, breaking a record, or coming back from adversity, these moments inspire us to reach for greatness and never give up on our dreams.