The 1980s are remembered as one of the great decades for several reasons. Here are ten great sports moments from the 1980s.
1. “Miracle on Ice” – In the 1980 Winter Olympics, the United States men’s ice hockey team, made up of amateur and collegiate players, defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the medal round. It was a stunning upset that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
2. Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot: In the 1982 NCAA Championship game, Michael Jordan made a game-winning shot for North Carolina against Georgetown, launching his career as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
3. Magic Johnson’s Baby Hook Shot – In the 1987 NBA Finals, Magic Johnson hit a clutch, running sky-hook shot over Boston Celtics’ Kevin McHale in the closing seconds of Game 4. The shot helped propel the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship that year.
4. Martina Navratilova’s dominance – Throughout the 1980s, tennis great Martina Navratilova won an incredible 18 Grand Slam singles titles, cementing her place as one of the all-time greats of the sport.
5. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson: The rivalry between Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals defined the 1980s, with each player winning three championships.
6. Bo Jackson’s Bo Knows campaign – In the late 1980s, two-sport athlete Bo Jackson became a household name thanks to his “Bo Knows” ad campaign for Nike. The campaign showcased Jackson’s athleticism and versatility, as he excelled in both football and baseball.
7. Wimbledon’s longest match – In the 1980 Wimbledon men’s singles final, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe played an epic five-set match that lasted over four hours. McEnroe ultimately won the match, but it remains one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.
8. Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler – In 1987, Sugar Ray Leonard came out of retirement to face off against middleweight champion Marvin Hagler. Leonard won the fight in a controversial split decision, cementing his place as one of boxing’s greatest champions.
9. Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win – In 1986, golf legend Jack Nicklaus won his sixth Masters tournament at the age of 46, becoming the oldest player to win the event. The victory cemented Nicklaus’ place as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
10. Carl Lewis’ four gold medals – At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, track and field star Carl Lewis won four gold medals, matching the feat of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics. Lewis’ dominance in the sprints and long jump made him one of the most successful Olympians of all time.