Some of the biggest chokes in sports history
By now, nearly all sports fans know about the miraculous comeback made by the Cleveland Cavaliers. No team in NBA history had ever come back after being down 3 – 1 and Lebron James saw to it that history was made. The Cavs went up against a Golden State team that not only beat them last year in the Finals but came back this season boasting the best ever record. The Warriors had a lot to prove but when it was on the line, the Cav’s win turned Golden State’s run into one of the biggest chokes in sports history. With that, let’s look at some of the other biggest chokes ever*.
Seahawks not handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch?
Deflategate notwithstanding, the Seahawks easily could have cemented themselves in history by beating the Patriots. 26 seconds on the clock, 2nd down and down by four, on the one yard line, all Pete Carroll had to do was hand the ball to Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch and let him do what he does and run. What happened next still has pundits scratching their heads: what coach, with arguably the best running back in the league, ELECTS TO PASS the ball that close to the end zone?
Bills missed Field Goal
You almost have to feel sorry for the Bills. This was their first of four trips (all losses) to the Super Bowl. They had an explosive no-huddle attack which helped them to lead the league in scoring that season. So, this game should have been a cakewalk right? Not so fast. In yet another game where there were seconds on the clock, Scott Norwood comes out to kick a 47 yard Field Goal. The kick went wide right, securing the Giants their second Super Bowl win, and Norwood being lampooned in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Undefeated Patriots losing to the Giants.
Well it’s funny that the first 2 entries involved these teams separately. But put them together? Let’s get right to it. The Patriots had their best regular season, including a win over the Giants 38 – 35 on the last day of the season. The Pats went into the Super Bowl as 12 point favorites. They were well on their way to winning the game but in the fourth quarter, the Giants put together the drive of all drives beating the Patriots 17 to 14.
Argentina loses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.
To many, Lionel Messi is considered the best in the world of soccer. He has achieved everything there is to win in the sport except a World Cup. In 2014, two of arguably the best teams in the world met and Messi had one job. Time after time, Messi had balls passed to him in which he could have finished. Germany and Mario Götze finished them in extra time as Germany won for the first time since 1990 (when they were still West Germany).
Buster Douglas beats Mike Tyson
Who the heck is Buster Douglas? I am sure those were the words Mike Tyson, as well as many fans, asked as the 42-1 underdog knocked Mike Tyson down for the first time in his career. Douglas did what few boxers were able to do, which was take Tyson the distance and then beat him. This was fine…until Evander Holyfield got a hold of him less than a year later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZ08eWV4ME
Karl Malone gift wraps the 1998 NBA Finals
We would be remiss to make this list and not include Michael Jordan. In a choke of all chokes, all Karl Malone had to do was take the shot. He gets stripped of the ball under his own basket by Jordan who sinks the game winner which leaves 5 seconds on the clock and the rest is history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V_1ZxCN3nI
The Lakers losing to the Pistons
We cannot possibly go without mentioning this. Karl Malone, Gary Payton and a few other stars in their last gasp attempt, sign with the Lakers to get an elusive NBA Finals ring. With Michael Jordan finally retired for good and a stacked roster which included Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers made their way into the 2004 NBA Finals in which they were expected to beat a bunch of ‘no named’ Detroit Pistons. But with Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace along with underachiever Chauncey Billups, they beat the Lakers handily in 5 games.
I am sure we may have missed a few so let’s hear from you about other famous chokes in sports history. If you are still in NBA mode and interested in seeing some more great low lights, check this link out as well.
Also check out the poll below!
Pop Culture Uncovered 