15 Incredible Sports Stories That Should be Turned Into Movies

By Jacob Kornhauser

15 Incredible Sports Stories That Should be Turned Into Movies

Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints - September 25, 2006 — Some of the sports stories that have been made up by Hollywood over the years have been great. However, the best sports stories are the ones that actually happened. Here are 15 moments from sports history that deserve movies based on them.

15. Boise State's Fiesta Bowl Victory

Boise State v Washington

15. Boise State's Fiesta Bowl Victory

Boise State v Washington — The 2007 Fiesta Bowl saw the Boise State Broncos facing off with the heavily-favored Oklahoma Sooners. Playing in a non-power conference, Boise State was viewed as a team only benefiting from a soft schedule. It put those doubts to bed when it ran a hook and ladder to score a touchdown, and then a statue of liberty to go for the win instead of overtime ... successfully.

14. Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup Win

New York Rangers v Vancouver Canucks

14. Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup Win

New York Rangers v Vancouver Canucks — After a lengthy Stanley Cup drought, the Rangers were finally back on top of the hockey world in 1994. The parade given to them in the city was incredible, and the story of the season is worthy of a couple hours on the big screen.

13. Jim Abbott's Journey

Baltimore Orioles v California Angels

13. Jim Abbott's Journey

Baltimore Orioles v California Angels — Living with one hand is tough for anybody, but especially a major league pitcher. Abbott, who pitched for several teams over the course of his big league career, had to switch his glove to his only hand right after pitching the ball, and was extremely effective. How he overcame his disability is a story nobody could simply write up.

12. Joe Nuxhall Makes MLB Debut at 15

Philadelphia Phillies v Cincinnati Reds

12. Joe Nuxhall Makes MLB Debut at 15

Philadelphia Phillies v Cincinnati Reds — It would never happen in this day and age, but Joe Nuxhall made his debut for the Reds in 1944 at just 15 years of age. The publicity that would surround something like that today would be like nothing you've ever seen before.

11. Derek Jeter's Final Season

85th MLB All Star Game

11. Derek Jeter's Final Season

85th MLB All Star Game — Jeter's final season was special not because he had a great year overall, but because of the recognition he got from opposing teams around the league. It went to show how well-respected he is by everyone in the game. In a movie, his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium would be the closing scene as it was a true Hollywood ending for the future Hall-of-Famer.

10. Michael Jordan's Comeback

Michael Jordan Action Portrait

10. Michael Jordan's Comeback

Michael Jordan Action Portrait — When Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball following a Bulls three-peat, he shocked the sports world. As he pursued his baseball career, the Bulls failed to win NBA titles. However, when Jordan came back, the Bulls won three more titles in his next three full seasons with the team, and he cemented his legacy as the greatest player of all time.

9. Eric LeGrand's Recovery

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's A Magical Evening Gala - Inside

9. Eric LeGrand's Recovery

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's A Magical Evening Gala - Inside — It was a tragedy when Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed on a kick return on which he made a tackle. You've seen stories like this before, but you don't normally see the resolve shown by LeGrand in the face of such a devastating injury. On his road to recovery, he has become a public speaker and vows that he will again walk some day.

8. The Bartman Game

Chicago Cubs fans dejected

8. The Bartman Game

Chicago Cubs fans dejected — The Cubs were just five outs away from the World Series when the curse struck again. Even though he doesn't deserve much of the blame, fan Steve Bartman became lightning rod for blame as the Cubs blew the lead, game and eventually series the following day. It's just the latest in a long line of cursed moments for the Lovable Losers.

7. John Wooden's UCLA Dynasty

The Winning Way A Day of Champions

7. John Wooden's UCLA Dynasty

The Winning Way A Day of Champions — UCLA basketball won seven straight national titles from 1967 to 1973, and it all happened under coach John Wooden's watch. He was one of the greatest coaches in sports history and he forged a college dynasty unlike anything anyone had seen before or since. Delving into the inner workings of this dynasty would make for a blockbuster.

6. Yasiel Puig's Journey from Cuba

LA Dodgers Training Session

6. Yasiel Puig's Journey from Cuba

LA Dodgers Training Session — Puig has his fair share of supporters and haters, but nobody can deny the amazing journey he took to even play baseball in the United States. There are stories told of great danger he faced as he fled Cuba for a better life and a career in baseball in America. More stories like this need to be told by Hollywood.

5. 1994 John Tyler vs. Plano East

Wild Card Playoffs - Cincinnati Bengals v Houston Texans

5. 1994 John Tyler vs. Plano East

Wild Card Playoffs - Cincinnati Bengals v Houston Texans — In what some have called the "greatest football game of all time," John Tyler and Plano East faced off for the 1994 Texas State High School Football Championship. John Tyler led 41-17 with just 3:03 left in the game. However, after a TD drive and a couple of onside kicks with ensuing touchdowns, somehow Plano East took a 44-41 lead. Just when the game seemed over, John Tyler returned the next kickoff for a TD, winning 48-44 in incredible fashion.

4. Butler's Near Miracle Run

NCAA Men's Championship Game - Butler v UConn

4. Butler's Near Miracle Run

NCAA Men's Championship Game - Butler v UConn — Nobody expected Butler to reach the National Championship game in 2010, but it did. Its improbable run pitted it against powerhouse Duke, making it a true David vs. Goliath game. Hanging tough the whole game, Butler had one last shot. As the clock expired, star Gordon Heyward chucked up a shot from halfcourt that banked off the backboard and missed by a couple inches. The story is one of the best in sports.

3. The 1998 Home Run Chase

Mark McGwire #25

3. The 1998 Home Run Chase

Mark McGwire #25 — The summer of 1998 may have saved baseball. Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were hitting home runs at a rate the country had never seen before. Since they played for division rivals and were on a similar pace, it turned into a two-man home run competition. When it was all said and done, McGwire ended up with 70 and Sosa with 66. This exciting chase got the nation interested in baseball again.

2. Saints' First Game Back at Superdome

New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons

2. Saints' First Game Back at Superdome

New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons — After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Saints were temporarily without a home. However, that changed in September of 2006. They took on the Falcons on a night the entire city came together for a few hours. When New Orleans blocked a Falcons punt, it was perhaps the loudest the stadium has ever been. The Saints' eventual win provided solace and hope for a town that desperately needed it.

1. Red Sox Win 2004 World Series

World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4

1. Red Sox Win 2004 World Series

World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4 — For so many reasons, the Red Sox's World Series run in 2004 is the most incredible sports story in history. They overcame a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS, which had never been done. They overcame that deficit against the rival Yankees. They scratched out a run against Mariano Rivera facing a sweep in Game 4. The World Series title was their first in nearly a century. Everything put together make this a story truly fit for Hollywood.

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