Top 15 Sports Miracles of All Time

By Brian Kalchik

Top 15 Sports Miracles of All Time

Miracle On Ice — When it comes to playing and watching sports, any single moment or play can define a particular game or contest. Sports has the ability to lift our spirits at one moment and break them the next, and that is why we watch. Miracles do happen in sports, and these 15 moments turned the agony of defeat into the thrill of victory.

15. Memorial Day Miracle

Sean Elliott Spurs

15. Memorial Day Miracle

Sean Elliott Spurs — In Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals, San Antonio Spurs forward Sean Elliott hit a game-clinching three-pointer while falling out of bounds to give San Antonio an 86-85 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs would eventually go on to win their first NBA Championship.

14. Kerri Strug Vaults To Gold

Kerri Strug

14. Kerri Strug Vaults To Gold

Kerri Strug — Before the 1996 Summer Olympics, the United States never defeated Russia in team gymnastics, and all hope looked lost after Kerri Strug fell on her first vault attempt. In severe pain, Strug persevered, landing a perfect vault to give the United States their first team gold.

13. BYU Shocks SMU In 1980 Holiday Bowl

Jim McMahon BYU

13. BYU Shocks SMU In 1980 Holiday Bowl

Jim McMahon BYU — Trailing 45-25 with four minutes remaining in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, BYU quarterback Jim McMahon led his Cougars to three-straight touchdowns en route to a 46-45 victory over the SMU Mustangs. As time expired, McMahon fired a Hail Mary into the end zone, and tight end Clay Brown caught the game-winning touchdown.

12. USA Defeats England In 1950 World Cup

Clint Dempsey

12. USA Defeats England In 1950 World Cup

Clint Dempsey — In the 1950 World Cup, the odds for the United States to win it all were at 500-to-1. That didn't stop the Americans and neither did the No. 1 team in the world in England. A header by Joe Gatejans in the 37th minute produced the game's only goal as the United States shocked the world with a 1-0 win.

11. Miracle at the New Meadowlands

DeSean Jackson Eagles

11. Miracle at the New Meadowlands

DeSean Jackson Eagles — Trailing by 21 points in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants in 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to tie the game with just seconds remaining. Instead of punting the ball out of bounds to go to overtime, New York kicked to DeSean Jackson and got burned. Jackson secured the game with a 65-yard punt return touchdown. Philadelphia won 38-31.

10. Miracle at the Meadowlands 1.0

Herman Edwards Jets

10. Miracle at the Meadowlands 1.0

Herman Edwards Jets — The first Miracle at the Meadowlands was one of the biggest blunders in sports history. Needing just one more kneel down to secure victory, Giants QB Joe Pisarcik fumbled the ball on a handoff. Eagles CB Herman Edwards scooped up the ball and gave the Eagles an improbable 19-17 victory.

9. Jack Nicklaus Wins The Masters At 46

Jack Nicklaus

9. Jack Nicklaus Wins The Masters At 46

Jack Nicklaus — Given little to no chance at the 1986 Masters, 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus had one of the greatest rounds in golf history when it mattered most. In a tough field that included Greg Norman, Sevi Ballasteros and Tom Kite, Nicklaus shot a final round 65, including a back nine 30, to become the oldest winner of the Masters.

8. Monday Night Miracle

Jumbo Elliott Jets

8. Monday Night Miracle

Jumbo Elliott Jets — Trailing 30-7 in the fourth quarter of a game in 2000 against the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets scored 33 of the game's final 40 points -- 30 in the fourth quarter -- to win 40-37 in overtime. A touchdown reception by offensive lineman Jumbo Elliott tied the score, and in overtime, John Hall kicked a game-winning 40-yard field goal to end one of the wildest games in NFL history.

7. The Music City Miracle

Kevin Dyson Titans

7. The Music City Miracle

Kevin Dyson Titans — After the Buffalo Bills took a 16–15 lead with 16 seconds left in their game against the Tennessee Titans, hope seemed lost for Tennessee. On a brilliant play, Titans tight end Frank Wycheck threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson on the ensuing kickoff return, who then ran 75 yards to score the winning touchdown and earn a 22–16 victory. The play helped lead Tennessee to Super Bowl XXXIV.

6. Doug Flutie's Hail Mary vs. Miami

Doug Flutie Statue

6. Doug Flutie's Hail Mary vs. Miami

Doug Flutie Statue — On the day after Thanksgiving in 1984, Boston College QB Doug Flutie delivered one of the greatest plays in sports history. The Eagles trailed Miami 45-40 late in the fourth quarter, but Flutie had the ball and time on the clock. Needing a Hail Mary to win, Flutie chucked the ball over 50 yards, and Boston College receiver Gerald Phelan caught the ball in the end zone for a 47-45 victory.

5. The Miracle at Michigan

Kordell Stewart Colorado

5. The Miracle at Michigan

Kordell Stewart Colorado — Trailing Michigan 26-21 with six seconds remaining, Colorado QB and future pro Kordell Stewart needed a Hail Mary to win it, and his prayers were answered. Stewart launched the ball over 70 yards, and after a deflection, Buffaloes receiver Michael Westbrook ended up with the game-winning touchdown, giving the Buffaloes a 27-26 victory.

4. NC State Beats The Buzzer and Houston

Jim Valvano North Carolina State

4. NC State Beats The Buzzer and Houston

Jim Valvano North Carolina State — Facing a Houston team that featured future Hall of Famers in Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the NC State Wolfpack were given no chance to win the 1983 Men's Basketball Championship. The Wolfpack managed to tie the game at 52 late, and after a Derrick Whittenburg air ball, Lorenzo Charles dunked the ball in to give the Wolfpack a 54-52 win.

3. The Immaculate Reception

Terry Bradshaw Steelers

3. The Immaculate Reception

Terry Bradshaw Steelers — In the 1972 AFC Playoffs, the Oakland Raiders took a 7-6 lead with seconds remaining. Facing a fourth-and-10, the Steelers pulled off one of the most memorable plays in football history. A pass by Terry Bradshaw bounced off receiver Frenchy Fuqua and into the arms of Franco Harris. Harris found the end zone, eluding several Raiders to give Pittsburgh a 13-12 victory. The play would spearhead the Steelers' dynasty of the 1970s.

2. Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard Round the World

Bobby Thomson Giants

2. Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard Round the World

Bobby Thomson Giants — In one of the greatest baseball games of all time, the phrase "Shot Heard Round the World" was applied to the sports world. In a playoff between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants, the Giants trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Bobby Thomson stepped to the plate to face Ralph Branca. After three pitches, Thomson nailed a three-run home run to give the Giants a 5-4 win and a berth in the postseason.

1. The Miracle on Ice

Miracle on Ice

1. The Miracle on Ice

Miracle On Ice — The Miracle on Ice is easily the biggest miracle of all time, and it's not even close. The United States, a team filled with college players and coached by Herb Brooks, faced the Soviet Union, who had arguably the greatest hockey team ever assembled. After getting embarrassed in an exhibition, the Americans rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the third period. After a late rally by the Soviets, the Americans were able to hold on and win 4-3.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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