Top 20 Most Iconic Sports Moments

This iconic moment occurred during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz. In a remarkable display of endurance, Jordan scored 38 points despite being severely ill with flu-like symptoms. He shot 13-23 from the field and hit seven three-pointers to lead his team to a 90-88 victory. The "Flu Game" is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in NBA history.

At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, American athlete Jesse Owens made history by winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and long jump events. His remarkable achievement shattered Adolf Hitler's Aryan supremacy myth and showcased African American excellence on the world stage. Owens' total of 8 medals (also including a silver) is an all-time record.

The "Thrilla in Manila" was a boxing match fought between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in Manila, Philippines, on October 1, 1975. The intense bout left both fighters exhausted but ultimately ended in a technical draw after the 14th round due to Frazier's severe injuries. The fight showcased their intense rivalry and is considered one of the greatest bouts in boxing history.

In Super Bowl XXXVI, quarterback Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a stunning upset victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. With 0:00 remaining on the clock, Brady connected with wide receiver Adam Vinatieri for a 48-yard touchdown pass to seal the 20-17 win. The Patriots' 6th Super Bowl title marked Brady's first championship.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world record in the 100m and 200m events with dominating performances at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. At Athens, he set a new world record of 9.69 seconds in the 100m event. His unprecedented speed left the track world in awe.

In the 2012 NBA playoffs, forward LeBron James hit a clutch three-pointer over Rajon Rondo to seal a 103-98 win for the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics. The memorable moment marked one of several crucial performances by James during his championship run.

American track and field athlete Carl Lewis dominated the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, winning five gold medals across the 4x100m relay, long jump, and 200m events. This incredible performance helped cement Lewis as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

In his major league debut on April 25, 2017, outfielder Aaron Judge set a Major League Baseball record for most home runs in a single opening day with 3. The towering slugger went 4-for-4 and hit two more home runs later that night to finish the series. His impressive performance earned him Rookie of the Month honors.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes orchestrated an incredible comeback for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Houston Texans on December 22, 2019, leading his team from a 10-point deficit to secure a thrilling 51-31 win. This performance showcased Mahomes's ability to deliver under pressure.

On March 2, 1982, basketball legend Magic Johnson scored 31 points and dished out an incredible 15 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in a memorable game against the San Antonio Spurs. This display highlighted his exceptional all-around talent as a point guard.

On October 7, 2004, quarterback Peyton Manning tossed for five touchdowns, including one to Reggie Wayne that set an NFL single-game record for receiving yards (210) in the Indianapolis Colts' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This performance showcased Manning's incredible passing accuracy.

On July 25, 2001, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter delivered a game-winning walk-off home run in an American League Division Series matchup against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium. The historic moment earned him widespread acclaim and cemented his legendary status.

In September 2010, NBA superstar LeBron James shocked fans by announcing he was leaving Miami to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. His decision led to a dramatic return to the Heat the following summer but marked a pivotal turning point in his basketball career.

On July 5, 2019, forward Alex Morgan scored an equalizing goal for the United States women's soccer team in their 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal match against England. Her stunning strike on a penalty kick secured a crucial second-chance victory.

On April 18, 2017, center fielder Mike Trout connected with 17 home runs and hit his 20th to open the Los Angeles Angels' historic first-game win against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington.

At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, American artistic gymnast Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast of all time, winning four gold medals across individual and team competitions. Her incredible consistency left her as one of the most dominant figures in modern Olympic history.

In a pivotal 2000 matchup between Chicago Bears safety Mike Singletary and quarterback Eli Manning at Soldier Field, Singletary had an extraordinary interception return that set up a go-ahead touchdown to help seal the win over his hometown Giants. The achievement showcased his elite defensive skills.

On March 2, 1982, in a pivotal moment during an NBA game against the New Jersey Nets, Magic Johnson dropped a famous behind-the-back pass that would change NBA history forever by revolutionizing passing techniques and establishing Johnson as one of the game's greatest playmakers.

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer holds the record for the most time spent on court with eight hours and 48 minutes, played at 2008 and 2017 Wimbledon tournaments. His incredible work rate is unmatched among professional players in the sport.

Quarterback Eli Manning has made history by achieving two crucial come-from-behind victories during his time in the NFL. One was a Super Bowl XLII victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots and the other being playoffs where he defeated both Green Bay Packers twice.