Most Influential Moments in Sports

"The United States was emerging from a troubled decade. The 1970's had been marked by an ugly end to the Vietnam War, a demoralizing Watergate spectacle, rampant inflation, unemployment, an energy crisis.
The Soviets had just invaded Afghanistan, rejuvenating the Cold War.

The Soviet hockey team had won 8 of the last 9 Olympic gold medals, including 4 in a row. The Soviets' Olympic winning streak was now 21 straight games.
They had not lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968.
The Soviets were widely recognized as the best team in the world.

In the dressing room before the game, Coach Herb Brooks told his team, 'the moment is yours. '
Team USA won the game 4-3.

13 days earlier, the U.S. lost to the USSR, 10-3. "You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours. " Some people think that Schneider or Johnson or Eruzione had done the best in the game. But they could not compare to the goalie that kept them in the game, Jim Craig, with 36 saves. Craig and the American defense held the Soviets down for a whole 10 minutes, 1/6 of the game, in which the Soviets would score 2 or 3 usually.

Nothing does or ever will top this moment. I saw it on T.V. in 1980, and every video... Or even the movie "Miracle" gives me goosebumps of pride every time I see it.

You must think I'm crazy for not having this at number one... but as a sports fan I'm more influenced by the above... I wasnt alive for the cold war... I don't know maybe it's just not as influential to me anymore.. but I do believe in miracles lol.

No one has ever run that fast! This record is almost eleven years old and no one has come close to beating it yet!

Without Jackie Robinson the world would be way worse.

A man who is 7'0 tall and plays like a man who is no more than 200 ibs. He was simply amazing that game. His record still holds today, which is a good example of the legend stars and the old timers. His record still holds strong and the closest person that I think to him is Kobe Bryant with 81 points.

I just love this because this is the one record that I'm convinced will never get broken by anyone. Kobe got close... and that's as close as anyone will ever touch.

Most influential moments in sports come on here people. Can't pick one but in the biggest stage in the world the olympics you have Jesse Owens, the black pride fist of the 68 games with Tommie Smith and John Carlos, or watching Dered Redmond fall, get up, and finish the race from the help of his dad... tell me don't tear up... understand the hockey game was huge but just to Americans.

Please tell me when Michael Johnson broke his own record you got the chills o wow he broke his own record wow I'm inspired good for him. Wilt had a one hundred point game wow no one saw it how does that inspire you... dear god someone tell me how selling the babe is influential haha come on people this is a joke... learn to read and think a bit

This is another moment that wasn't just crucial for America... it was crucial for the world. It was a slap to Germany... it was a slap to genocide and racism... but above all... it was a grand stand of athleticism by what is mostly now a forgotten warrior in the field of sports.

Hard to compare how this man changed the history of athletics.

God... let's forget sports for a minute... this didn't just influence sports fans... this influenced everyone. He was the Iron Horse... never missed a game... then this speech. It was a dying man spreading appreciation to all of his fans. He gave it all for the game... and the game blessed him back, that is the beauty of sports my friends.

I was going to go with the 80 Olympic hockey team but nothing compares to the "Pride of the Yankees. "

This isn't just sports, this is life.

The only English side to win the Premier League, FA Cup & European Champions League all in the same year. Now that's an awesome season! - I doubt this will ever be achieved again.

This gives me chills to watch this footage. When the two white males pat him on the back... I honestly get emotional. It wasn't just for Hank... it was for America.

Legendary history. With 4 already to their name Liverpol reach the finals against all the odds taking out Leverkusan, Juventus and Chelsea on the way. Only to face AC Milan. Down 3-0 at half time captain fantastic Steven Gerrard rallies the trops and leads the fightback with a superb header followed by a long range shot from midfielder Vladimir Smicer. Gerrard then breaks through the defense and one on one with Dida is tripped from behind by Guttaso. Alonso's penalty is saved by Dida but he scores the rebound. 3-3 and after heroics by Jerzy Dudek in extra time he is called upon again and is the hero in the Penalty Shot Out to give Liverpol their 5th European Title.

Sportsmen around the world are considered as 'heroes' but in India Sachin is considered as GOD with a billion people behind him irrespective of religion, state etc. even the away fans in IPL cheer for him rather than their home team!

One of the greatest footballers to ever grace the pitch hitting 100 goals was a moment we should all be proud to have witnessed.

Ugh! What an infamy. How do we live it down? Go Blue - Beat the Bucks.

Jesus! Did they have to put this game in here? Will it ever end? GO BLUE

A win for the country and the world, the nazi regime would have became more powerful if Scmelling won. This fight changed history and lives.