Canon Shooter
Diamond Member
- Jan 7, 2020
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Ask 100 people this question, and you could easily end up with 100 different answers. Some might say it was the underdog Jets beating Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Some might say it was when Cassius Clay knocked out the 7-1 favorite Sonny Liston in Miami in 1964 (Sports Illustrated actually ranks this as #4), or when the New York Giant's Bobby Thompson sent his "shot heard around the world" into the left field stands at the Polo Grounds in New York City to snatch the National League pennant from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
For me, though, it has to be from the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Place, New York. Herb Brooks coached the USA men's hockey team into the medal rounds, and they were to face the heavily favored Soviet Union team. Brooks made what I think is one of the greatest speeches ever in sports:
"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight."
Brooks continued:
"Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.
You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"
And, in a a stunning 4-3 upset of the Soviet Union men's hockey team, the Americans did exactly that, helping to pave their way to the highest perch on the Olympic medal podium...
For me, though, it has to be from the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Place, New York. Herb Brooks coached the USA men's hockey team into the medal rounds, and they were to face the heavily favored Soviet Union team. Brooks made what I think is one of the greatest speeches ever in sports:
"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight."
Brooks continued:
"Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.
You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"
And, in a a stunning 4-3 upset of the Soviet Union men's hockey team, the Americans did exactly that, helping to pave their way to the highest perch on the Olympic medal podium...