source: http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/a-chat-with-an-olympic-icon-eric-heiden/
Because of the US Olympic hockey team victory over the Russians at Lake Placid in 1980 Eric Heiden’s 5 gold medals at the same olympics may be one of the most underrated sports achievements of all time. Heiden won speed skating gold in the 500, 1000, 1500, and 5000 meters. In the 10,000 meter distance he not only won gold but set a new world record.
source: http://advancement.sdsu.edu/marcomm/features/2007/primetime.html
Recognized as perhaps the greatest upset in the history of team sports, a collection of amateur hockey players from the United States defeated the best national hockey team in the world. Less than 2 weeks prior the Russians defeated the US olympic hockey team 10-3 in an exhibition game. What made this game larger than life was the cultural significance of the United States struggle with Russia during the cold war and the now famous call by Al Michaels in the final seconds of the game…”Do you believe in miracles…YES!”
source: http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/Enlargement.aspx?id=BE023479&ext=1
Phil Mahre took the gold while his twin brother Steve won silver in the slalom at the Olympics in Sarajevo.
source: http://www.vintageminnesotahockey.com/DonClarkOlympics.html
In the opening hockey game of the 1980 Olympics the US takes on Sweden in Lake Placid, NY. Trailing 2-1 late in the 3rd period the US pulls goalie Jim Craig for an extra skater which pays off as Bill Baker scores with 27 seconds remaining. The 2-2 tie would be their only blemish of the tournament as the US would win the gold medal with a 6-0-1 record.
source: http://rocksoft.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/throwing-it-down-thursdays/
During the NBA All Star weekend festivities in Dallas, Spud Webb of the Atlanta Hawks faces a tall order going up against seven competitors in the slam dunk contest. Webb, who is one of the shortest players in NBA history, wins the competition by beating out his teammate Dominique Wilkins.
source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1143853/10/23/index.htm
Gordie Howe returns to Detroit for the NHL All Star Game in 1980 as a member of the Hartford Whalers. It was his 23rd and final All Star appearance, an NHL record that still stands.
source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/don_banks/01/27/top.five.coaches.part2/index.html
The 1985 Chicago Bears are known as one of the best teams of all time and showed it in the Super Bowl defeating the New England Patriots 46-10. While the Bears defense was stifiling all season long there were many players and personalities that made up this great team. Head Coach Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, and a rookie defensive tackle named William “Refrigerator” Perry who on occasion was used as a fullback. With a 37-3 lead in the 3rd quarter and the Bears on the Patriots one yard line Coach Ditka called for the 6′2″ 380 pound Fridge to line up in the backfield and take a handoff from McMahon. Perry broke through the line and scampered in for a touchdown.
Off the field the ‘85 Bears became known for their video recording of the “Super Bowl Shuffle” which actually went as high as #41 on the Billboard charts and received a Grammy nomination for best R&B song by a group.
source: http://123nonstop.com/pictures/Super_Bowl_XXI
At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA the Denver Broncos lead the New York Giants 10-9 at halftime of Superbowl XXI. But the Giants would turn things around led by game MVP Phil Simms who completed an unbelievable 88% of his passes including 3 touchdowns. The Giants would win the game 39-20.
source: http://www.worldathletes.com/sports_biographies/Mike_Bossy.htm
Mike Bossy entered the 50th game of the 1980-81 season against the Quebec Nordiques with 48 goals. He would contribute to the 7-4 Islander victory with two goals in the third period, matching the mark of 50 goals in 50 games first accomplished by Maurice Richard in 1945.
source: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/88617359/Bob-Thomas-Sports-Photography
Steffi Graf is the only woman tennis player to accomplish the Golden Slam, which is winning all four grand slam tennis events and the gold medal in the Olympics the same year. Her first victory towards this incredible accomplishment comes at the Australian Open against Chris Evert.