The Biggest Upsets in Sports History: A Look Back at Memorable Moments
Throughout the history of sports, there have been some incredibly memorable upsets that have shocked the sports world, pitting the David against Goliaths of the world and proving that anything is possible. From underdog teams facing off with the powerhouse of their respective sport to individuals taking on a behemoth, here are some of the biggest and most unforgettable upsets in the history of sports.
- The Miracle on Ice – USA vs. USSR, 1980
One of the most famous and memorable upsets in sporting history is undoubtedly the Miracle on Ice, when the United States Olympic Hockey team, largely comprised of amateur and college players, defeated the powerhouse recruiters of the USSR in the semi-finals of the 1980 Winter Olympics. The win marked the first ever Olympic hockey defeat of the Soviet team by the United States and was a major statement for the amateur American players, who went on to win the gold medal.
- Buster Douglas Defeats Mike Tyson, 1990
No one gave the underdog challenger any chance of success in the heavily one-sided fight between the heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, and the relatively unknown Buster Douglas. To the surprise of many, Douglas used his stamina and technical boxing skills to outlast the strong Tyson and scored a knock-out in the 10th round, a win that is considered one of the biggest upsets in sports.
- North Dakota State Prevails Over Big 12 Opponents, 2018
In an even more improbable upset, an unranked Division I Football team, North Dakota State, managed to defeat their highly ranked opponents, the Big 12 Oklahoma Sooners, in their 2018 showdown. It was a monumental achievement for the Bison and their coach, Chris Klieman — and the shock of the stadium proved to be a moment that is unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon.
- Europe Overcomes US Team in Ryder Cup, 1999
The comeback of the century occurred in the 1999 Ryder Cup when, after being 10-6 down with just eight singles matches to go, the European team achieved an incredible victory over the highly favored American team. The win marked the first time in history that Europe had achieved success in the Ryder Cup on US soil and gave the underdog European team an unforgettable and significant victory.
- Appalachian State Beats Michigan, 2007
In 2007, the Appalachian State Mountaineers achieved one of the most monumental upsets in the history of NCAA football by defeating the Michigan Wolverines. The shocking 34-32 victory was incredible, especially given that it was Appalachian State’s first time facing off against an established powerhouse from a major conference. The win marked the first time in 34 years that a Division I FCS team had defeated a Division I FBS team, leaving a mark that has not been soon forgotten.
Upsets in sports history can be incredibly memorable and exciting moments that demonstrate the strength and power of the underdog. Whether in team sports like hockey and football, or individual matchups, these surprising moments can shock the sports world, proving that anything is indeed possible. From the Miracle on Ice to the Appalachian State win over the Michigan Wolverines, these are the biggest upsets in sports history.