Top 20 Most Iconic Sports Moments

#20: The Boston Red Sox Win the 2004 World Series

Some people literally waited their whole lives to watch the Red Sox win the World Series. And some people tragically went their whole lives without seeing it, even if they lived into their 80s. Before 2004, the Red Sox last won the Series in 1918 - a historic drought that is often attributed to the so-called Curse of the Bambino, which began after Babe Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees in 1919. But sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals sealed the triumph and erased nearly a century of heartbreak for Boston fans. For many, it wasn’t just a victory - it was a cultural moment that resonated far beyond baseball, symbolizing resilience, redemption, and the breaking of what some people referred to as a generational curse.

#19: Borg vs. McEnroe

Those in attendance at the 1980 Wimbledon final witnessed what many consider to be the greatest tennis match ever played. Björn Borg, the stoic “Ice Man,” was seeking his fifth straight Wimbledon title, while John McEnroe, the fiery young American, was challenging the establishment. Their contrast in temperament made the match compelling and thematic before it even began. But on court, the level of play was simply extraordinary, highlighted by the legendary fourth-set tiebreak, which many consider the most nail-biting tennis of all time. Borg ultimately emerged victorious after nearly four hours, embodying his insane endurance and mental resilience. It not only cemented both players’ legacies but also elevated tennis’s profile on the global stage, becoming a cultural touchstone for the sport’s golden era.

#18: Michael Schumacher Wins His Sixth Title

Before Michael Schumacher and his bright red Ferrari burst onto the scene, the F1 history books were dominated by Juan Manuel Fangio. The Argentine driver won five world titles, a record that was long considered untouchable. In fact, the record held for nearly fifty years. Unlike his more dominant seasons, Schumacher’s 2003 campaign demanded resilience, precision, and consistency, as he was hounded by the likes of Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. And the season went down to the wire, with the winner being determined at Suzuka. While Schumacher finished in a rather disappointing eighth, it was still enough to clinch his record-breaking sixth title, cementing his status as the greatest driver of his era and redefining the benchmarks of F1 greatness.

#17: Nelson Mandela at the 1995 Rugby World Cup

Just a year after the end of apartheid, South Africa was still badly fractured along racial lines. But rugby, long seen as a sport of the country’s white minority, became a stage for unity with the appearance of President Nelson Mandela. Wearing a Springboks jersey and cap, he presented the Webb Ellis Cup to South African captain François Pienaar. This gesture inspired many, signaling reconciliation between black South Africans and the historically white rugby establishment and symbolizing a new era of shared national pride. The moment, immortalized in photographs and film, demonstrated the power of sport to bridge divides and remains one of the most enduring images of post-apartheid healing and nation-building.

#16: Kirk Gibson’s Home Run

Kirk Gibson, a star player on the Los Angeles Dodgers, had injured both of his legs in the NLCS and was not expected to play in the World Series. But facing the dominant Oakland Athletics and their intimidating closer, Dennis Eckersley, Gibson limped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth as a pinch hitter. With the Dodgers facing two outs and down 4-3, Gibson worked a full count then crushed a walk-off home run, winning the game 5-4. It was like something out of a movie, it was so beautiful. Gibson’s dramatic fist-pumping trot around the bases became an instantly iconic sports image, and in 1995, one poll named this home run the greatest moment in L.A. sports history.

#15: The Immaculate Reception

It’s rare that a play is considered both the most iconic and the most controversial in a sport’s history. The Immaculate Reception is that play. It happened during the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Steelers and the Raiders. The Steelers trailed 7-6 with just 22 seconds left. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a desperate pass toward John Fuqua, and the ball ricocheted before rookie fullback Franco Harris scooped it inches from the turf and ran it for a touchdown. The Steelers won 13-7, marking their first-ever playoff victory. The play was regarded as being highly improbable, stirred enormous controversy over whether it was legal, and launched Pittsburgh’s dynasty. Both NFL Films and the NFL Network have since named it the greatest play in football history.

#14: Phil Taylor’s Two Nine-Dart Finishes

Darts is often considered just a pub game, but it can stir some incredible drama on the professional stage. A nine-darter is the perfect leg of darts, the rarest and most prestigious feat that a player can accomplish. Hitting one on live television is career-defining - hitting two in the same match was considered unthinkable. Until Phil Taylor did it. Taylor accomplished this unprecedented feat in the final of the 2010 Premier League, showcasing his unmatched precision, mental strength, and sheer dominance during his peak. It instantly became one of darts’ most replayed and celebrated moments, cementing Taylor’s reputation as the sport’s GOAT. Even years later, it stands as a benchmark of excellence and a symbol of what’s possible when skill meets composure.

#13: Bobby Orr’s Game Winning Goal

Even if you know nothing about hockey, you’ve probably seen that iconic image of Bobby Orr flying through the air, his arms completely outstretched as he gapes in celebration. It’s not only one of the most iconic photos in hockey, but in all of sport. Scoring just 40 seconds into overtime against the St. Louis Blues, Orr took a pass from Derek Sanderson and slipped the puck past goalie Glenn Hall, cementing Boston’s first Stanley Cup in 29 years. As he scored, Orr was tripped by Blues defenseman Noel Picard, sending him completely horizontal with the ice - a moment that was captured on film by photographer Ray Lussier and immortalized in the annals of sporting history.

#12: Leicester City Wins the Premier League

Bookmakers gave Leicester City 5000/1 odds of winning the 24th Premier League. Here are some things that were jokingly considered more likely to happen: Kim Kardashian becoming President. The Loch Ness Monster being discovered. Elvis Presley being found alive and in hiding. But with a modest budget, a relatively unknown manager, and players deemed journeymen or lower-tier prospects, Leicester overcame England’s richest and most powerful clubs to win the League. It was their first title in the team’s 132-year history, and stars like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté became household names. The triumph resonated far beyond England and became a global phenomenon, showing that in a sport dominated by money and elite squads, a small club could still dream.

#11: Diego Maradona at the 1986 FIFA World Cup

In the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona delivered two of soccer’s most famous goals within mere minutes of each other. The first was the infamous “Hand of God” goal, which saw Maradona using his hand to punch the ball into the English net - an act of blatant illegality that went unnoticed by officials. Controversy and debate over the goal has raged for decades. And just four minutes later, he scored the “Goal of the Century,” dribbling from his own half past five English players, including goalkeeper Peter Shilton, before slotting the ball home. Together, these two goals - one embodying cunning and opportunism, the other pure genius - cemented Maradona’s legend in the sport’s long history.

#10: The Miracle on Ice

When the 1980 Winter Olympics rolled around, the Soviet Union was a dominant force in hockey, having won nearly every major international tournament for two decades. They were composed of experienced professionals, while the American team consisted mostly of young, amateur college players. But against all odds, the U.S. beat the Soviet Union 4-3 and would go on to win the gold medal. Their victory represented a triumph of underdogs over a seemingly unbeatable opponent, but beyond the athletic achievement, the game carried enormous symbolic weight amid the lingering Cold War tensions of the time. And the dramatic nature of the win - sealed by the Americans’ determined defense and a famous call from Al Michaels - cemented its place in sporting history.

#9: 7-1

Just say the numbers 7-1 and people immediately know what you’re talking about. This was a surreal collapse by Brazil, who lost to Germany 7-1 in the 2014 FIFA semi final. This is embarrassing enough on the best of days, but it was made even worse by the fact that Brazil was hosting the tournament. Germany capitalized mercilessly, scoring five goals in the first 29 minutes - an unprecedented feat at this level of professional soccer. For Brazilians, it was a national trauma, and clips of fans crying in the stands quickly went viral. For Germany, it was a display of ruthless efficiency. And for neutral viewers, it was one of the most entertaining, albeit most lopsided, matches in the history of the sport.

#8: England Wins the 1966 World Cup

The 1966 iteration of the World Cup remains England’s only triumph in the tournament, achieved on home soil in front of 97,000 people at Wembley Stadium. The final saw England defeat West Germany 4-2 after extra time, with Geoff Hurst’s famous hat trick being the only one ever in a men’s World Cup final. The match produced a number of enduring moments, including Hurst’s controversial crossbar goal, and symbolized a high point in English football, blending sporting achievement with national pride during the Swinging Sixties. The ‘66 English team became legends, and the victory has since been woven into the country’s long sporting identity, enjoyed and celebrated for decades on end.

#7: Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier

In 1947, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first Black man to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. Despite being the nation’s pastime, baseball was harshly divided at this time, with Black players relegated to the Negro Leagues. Yes, that was a real thing. Dodgers executive Branch Rickey chose Robinson not only for his incredible talent, but for his courage to endure racial abuse. Robinson faced fierce hostility from fans, opposing players, and even some of his own teammates. But despite the hostility, Robinson excelled, winning Rookie of the Year and later MVP. His debut shattered the sport’s color barrier, paving the way for integration in baseball and influencing the broader civil rights movement in the decades that followed.

#6: Tiger Woods Wins the 2019 Masters

Once the dominant force in golf, Tiger Woods had endured over a decade of struggles, including career-threatening back injuries, multiple surgeries, and personal scandals. Entering Augusta in 2019, Woods hadn’t claimed a major title since 2008. But against a competitive field, the veteran showed why he’s the GOAT and seized the lead on the final day to win his fifth green jacket. The moment was incredibly emotional - not only for Woods, but for fans who had followed his long and arduous redemption arc. And when he embraced his children after the win, it mirrored the embrace with his father after his 1997 Masters triumph, bringing his career full circle in a storybook fashion. You can’t help but cry.

#5: Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech

If you want to make your stoic father cry, just show him Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech. Once a star baseball player, Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in June 1939 when he was just 36 years old. On July 4 of that year, Gehrig addressed a sold-out Yankee Stadium in what is now called “baseball’s Gettysburg Address.” Despite being a reserved man and not wanting to speak, Gehrig delivered a beautiful speech about resilience and was visibly emotional throughout. And the response was just as passionate, including unending cheers from the crowd and loving hugs from his teammates. It’s a defining example of brotherhood and sportsmanship, and in a sport filled with head-spinning statistics, Gehrig’s speech endures as a moment of incredible humanity.

#4: The Flu Game

If you want to see the type of legendary determination that separates the great players from the GOATs, look no further than The Flu Game, or game five of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Bulls and the Jazz. Battling severe flu-like symptoms, Michael Jordan appeared visibly weak - sweating heavily and even struggling to stand at times. But despite his dire condition, Jordan delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring 38 points and grabbing seven rebounds to lead the Bulls to a 90-88 victory. The image of a drained Jordan leaning on Scottie Pippen became one of the most enduring photos in sports history, while the game itself came to symbolize resilience and the will to win. It all solidified Jordan’s reputation as the undeniable GOAT.

#3: Jesse Owens At the 1936 Olympics

Track and field star Jesse Owens became an enduring national icon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics thanks to his extraordinary athletic achievements and the powerful historical context behind them. The games were held in Nazi Germany, where Hitler sought to showcase Aryan racial superiority. Instead, the Black Owens won four gold medals, shattering both world records and Hitler’s Nazi propaganda. His dominance on the world stage directly challenged the racist ideologies of his day and resonated far beyond sports, coming to symbolize the fight against prejudice and oppression. But even looking on the surface as a feat of sheer athleticism, what Owens did is simply remarkable, and he is now regarded as one of the greatest track and field athletes ever.

#2: Usain Bolt’s 100m Records

In the late 2000s, we witnessed what could be argued as the peak of human athleticism. Winning the 100 meter race is considered one of the crowning achievements in sport, representing the pinnacle of what is physically possible. And Usain Bolt absolutely decimated the competition. On August 16, 2008, Bolt broke his own world record at the Beijing Olympics, completing the 100 meter in 9.69 seconds. Bolt’s performance made him an international star, and his name quickly became synonymous with the art of track and field. Exactly one year later, he broke his own record yet again, scoring a time of 9.58 seconds at the World Championships. The record has stood ever since, and will likely stand well into the future.

#1: The Thrilla in Manila

Fought in sweltering heat in the Philippines, the Thrilla in Manila was the climactic third bout between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The fight pushed both men to their physical and mental limits, with Ali describing it as the closest he ever came to dying. But the fight’s drama also went far beyond the ring, embodying political, cultural, and personal tensions, with Ali’s loud, anti-establishment persona clashing against Frazier’s quiet toughness. The brutal back-and-forth was studiously watched around the world and ended when Frazier’s corner stopped the fight after the 14th round. Now considered one of the greatest sporting events ever, the fight combined unparalleled athletic skill, fierce emotional intensity, and worldwide cultural significance. This is what sports are all about.

Did you see any of these live? What did you think at the time? Let us know in the comments below!