25 References Only Old School Sports Junkies Will Get

Before sports moments became virulent, it was the print media, television and radio that spread the trends. Let’s take a quick trip into yesteryear and glance at 25 memorable sports references only old school sports junkies can truly understand.

25 References Only Old School Sports Junkies Will Get

Before sports moments became virulent, it was the print media, television and radio that spread the trends. Let’s take a quick trip into yesteryear and glance at 25 memorable sports references only old school sports junkies can truly understand.

25. “Boom Shakalaka”

Or better yet, NBA Jam! There were essentially two primary arcade games in the 1990s: The Simpsons and NBA Jam. Quarter after quarter, “he’s on fire” after “boom shakalaka,” there was no more iconic league-licensed arcade game than NBA Jam and none more graciously worthy of a festering thumb blister.

25. “Boom Shakalaka”

Or better yet, NBA Jam! There were essentially two primary arcade games in the 1990s: The Simpsons and NBA Jam. Quarter after quarter, “he’s on fire” after “boom shakalaka,” there was no more iconic league-licensed arcade game than NBA Jam and none more graciously worthy of a festering thumb blister.

24. "Just Win, Baby!"

If you think the Oakland Raiders are bad now, you should've seen what Al Davis inherited. "Just Win, Baby!" became more than just a catchy mantra as it dyed Raiders' lore forever silver and black.

24. "Just Win, Baby!"

If you think the Oakland Raiders are bad now, you should've seen what Al Davis inherited. "Just Win, Baby!" became more than just a catchy mantra as it dyed Raiders' lore forever silver and black.

23. “Win One For The Gipper”

You may remember Ronald Reagan the United States President, but do you remember the actor? Better yet, what about George Gipp aka “the Gipper?”

23. “Win One For The Gipper”

You may remember Ronald Reagan the United States President, but do you remember the actor? Better yet, what about George Gipp aka “the Gipper?”

22. The Refrigerator

Vince Wilfork and J.J. Watt combined would have nothing on William "The Refrigerator" Perry. This Chicago Bears' great was the first iconic run-stuffer that would occasionally run the ball as well.

22. The Refrigerator

Vince Wilfork and J.J. Watt combined would have nothing on William "The Refrigerator" Perry. This Chicago Bears' great was the first iconic run-stuffer that would occasionally run the ball as well.

21. The “40 Minutes Of Hell”

Nolan Richardson brought an NCAA title to Arkansas Razorbacks basketball in 1994 and a runner-up in 1995 with this frenetic style of play.

21. The “40 Minutes Of Hell”

Nolan Richardson brought an NCAA title to Arkansas Razorbacks basketball in 1994 and a runner-up in 1995 with this frenetic style of play.

20. The Human Highlight Film

The NBA Slam Dunk contest owes nearly all of its notoriety to Dominique Wilkins and his unforgettable rim rockers.

20. The Human Highlight Film

The NBA Slam Dunk contest owes nearly all of its notoriety to Dominique Wilkins and his unforgettable rim rockers.

19. Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is informally known as the man who injected the NFL touchdown dance into the main artery of pop culture. That funny uniform? That kids, would belong to the Houston Oilers.

19. Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson is informally known as the man who injected the NFL touchdown dance into the main artery of pop culture. That funny uniform? That kids, would belong to the Houston Oilers.

18. The Legion Of Doom

Before the "Legion of Boom" swept football via the Seattle Seahawks, the "Legion of Doom" was known as a devastating front line in professional hockey. Consisting of Philadelphia Flyers forwards John LeClair, Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg, this formidable trio put fear into even the grittiest of hockey goons.

18. The Legion Of Doom

Before the "Legion of Boom" swept football via the Seattle Seahawks, the "Legion of Doom" was known as a devastating front line in professional hockey. Consisting of Philadelphia Flyers forwards John LeClair, Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg, this formidable trio put fear into even the grittiest of hockey goons.

17. Dr. J

Julius Erving, aka “Dr. J,” revolutionized how we thought about hang time through big dunks that bridged the NBA from Red Auerbach’s Celtics to Pat Riley and Magic Johnson’s “Showtime” Lakers.

17. Dr. J

Julius Erving, aka “Dr. J,” revolutionized how we thought about hang time through big dunks that bridged the NBA from Red Auerbach’s Celtics to Pat Riley and Magic Johnson’s “Showtime” Lakers.

16. Showtime

And here are the 1980s “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers, a team that would have had a stranglehold on ‘80s basketball if it weren’t for the pesky Boston Celtics.

16. Showtime

And here are the 1980s “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers, a team that would have had a stranglehold on ‘80s basketball if it weren’t for the pesky Boston Celtics.

15. “Not In One Game, That Would Be A Record”

Kenny Mayne burned into Bristol, Conn. just as ESPN really began to hit its pop culture stride. Mayne brought a uniquely dry style of humor to the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

15. “Not In One Game, That Would Be A Record”

Kenny Mayne burned into Bristol, Conn. just as ESPN really began to hit its pop culture stride. Mayne brought a uniquely dry style of humor to the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

14. Fleer Ultra

Remember when everyone between the ages of eight and 80 collected cards? During the ‘90s, Fleer Ultra playing cards were the ultimate.

14. Fleer Ultra

Remember when everyone between the ages of eight and 80 collected cards? During the ‘90s, Fleer Ultra playing cards were the ultimate.

13. "I Am Tiger Woods"

Remember this ad campaign? Remember the days before Tiger Woods became known as a raging floozy?

12. The Golden Bear

Before Tiger began his assault on the all-time golf major championship record, "The Golden Bear" AKA Jack Nicklaus established the top spot. For those of you new to the world of PGA, Nicklaus is not just that guy who hit a hole-in-one the day before the 2015 Masters.

12. The Golden Bear

Before Tiger began his assault on the all-time golf major championship record, "The Golden Bear" AKA Jack Nicklaus established the top spot. For those of you new to the world of PGA, Nicklaus is not just that guy who hit a hole-in-one the day before the 2015 Masters.

11. "Down Goes Frazier!"

Howard Cosell was the most verbose of any broadcaster that ever lived. Even if Cosell was insufferable amongst his staff, this call will be remembered fondly and forever.

10. Refuse To Lose

Before John Calipari was at Kentucky and before he was at Memphis, Coach C was the lead mentor of the UMass Minutemen. In a tale that’s become all too full-circle, UMass started the 1996-97 season 26-0 and began sporting the catchphrase “refuse to lose.”

10. Refuse To Lose

Before John Calipari was at Kentucky and before he was at Memphis, Coach C was the lead mentor of the UMass Minutemen. In a tale that’s become all too full-circle, UMass started the 1996-97 season 26-0 and began sporting the catchphrase “refuse to lose.”

9. Putting The Biscuit In The Basket

This iconic pro ice hockey phrase will remain cool for eternity.

9. Putting The Biscuit In The Basket

This iconic pro ice hockey phrase will remain cool for eternity.

8. The “Bad Boys”

Rising in the late 1980s and cresting in the ‘90s, this polarizing brand of Detroit Pistons basketball was either liked or loathed.

8. The “Bad Boys”

Rising in the late 1980s and cresting in the ‘90s, this polarizing brand of Detroit Pistons basketball was either liked or loathed.

7. Diaper Dandy

Throw this in with “dipsy doo, dunkaroo,” in the annals of Dick Vitale catchphrases.

7. Diaper Dandy

Throw this in with “dipsy doo, dunkaroo,” in the annals of Dick Vitale catchphrases.

6. Pistol Pete

Steve Nash can bank his NBA value on “Pistol Pete” Maravich. This college and pro standout was so quick, so smart and so deceptively brilliant that he oftentimes befuddled even his own teammates.

6. Pistol Pete

Steve Nash can bank his NBA value on “Pistol Pete” Maravich. This college and pro standout was so quick, so smart and so deceptively brilliant that he oftentimes befuddled even his own teammates.

5. The Russian Five

You just aren't a citizen of Hockeytown if you're unaware of "The Russian Five." The great Detroit Red Wings teams of the 90s are forever immortalized and intertwined with this line of Russian hockey heroes.

5. The Russian Five

You just aren't a citizen of Hockeytown if you're unaware of "The Russian Five." The great Detroit Red Wings teams of the 90s are forever immortalized and intertwined with this line of Russian hockey heroes.

4. “Baseball Is 90 Percent Mental, The Other Half Is Physical”

This is known as a “Yogiism.” In other words, a phrase pioneered by New York Yankees’ great Yogi Berra.

4. “Baseball Is 90 Percent Mental, The Other Half Is Physical”

This is known as a “Yogiism.” In other words, a phrase pioneered by New York Yankees’ great Yogi Berra.

3. The Steel Curtain

Mean Joe Green headlined this devastating 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense and also starred in an unforgettable Super Bowl commercial.

3. The Steel Curtain

Mean Joe Green headlined this devastating 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense and also starred in an unforgettable Super Bowl commercial.

2. "You're Killin' Me Smalls!"

A classic quote from the classic movie 'The Sandlot.' Even if you've never been fortunate enough to see this flick, I guarantee you've heard this line.