40 Years Ago Today

[Gator By Marriage]

On February 22, 1980 was what I believe to be the greatest sports upset of all time: The US hockey team beating the Soviets 4-3 in the Lake Placid Olympics. Can anyone think of a bigger upset?

 

[Detroitgator]

On February 22, 1980 was what I believe to be the greatest sports upset of all time: The US hockey team beating the Soviets 4-3 in the Lake Placid Olympics. Can anyone think of a bigger upset?

No, not even close. Was kinda shocked no one posted about it earlier

 

[78]

I was in G’ville working that evening. Heard it on the radio headed back to the Sun from an Oak Hall hoops game (I know, so much fun). Such a different time. We’d just boycotted the Soviet Summer Games over Afghanistan and the Cold War was very much still on. Effing Commies.

That evening forever changed the lives of many, but hardly anymore than for Herb Brooks, Jim Craig or Mike Eruzione. RIP, Herbie.

 

[NVGator]

On February 22, 1980 was what I believe to be the greatest sports upset of all time: The US hockey team beating the Soviets 4-3 in the Lake Placid Olympics. Can anyone think of a bigger upset?

November 23, 2013.

The Georgia Southern Eagles went into the Swamp on Saturday and stunned the Florida Gators, walking out with a 26-20 win. The Eagles (7-4) ran their triple option offense to perfection, and Florida struggled to defend it throughout the game. Georgia Southern's 429 yards of offense, all on the ground, were simply too much for a banged-up Gators.

 

[Gator By Marriage]

No, not even close. Was kinda shocked no one posted about it earlier

I remember legendary ABC sports announcer Jim McKay making the analogy that it would be like a football team made up of Canadian college players beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

[78]

November 23, 2017.

The Georgia Southern Eagles went into the Swamp on Saturday and stunned the Florida Gators, walking out with a 26-20 win. The Eagles (7-4) ran their triple option offense to perfection, and Florida struggled to defend it throughout the game. Georgia Southern's 429 yards of offense, all on the ground, were simply too much for a banged-up Gators.

 

[SeabeeGator]

Didn’t the Dream Team lose to college players? I would put that up there.

 

[SeabeeGator]

Didn’t the Dream Team lose to college players? I would put that up there.

https://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/the-dream-teams-very-bad-day/

In fairness, that was a college all star team but still - the Dream Team was the greatest assembly of talent ever in basketball. Future stars should’ve lost by 40 - just like everyone else did.

 

[Detroitgator]

I remember legendary ABC sports announcer Jim McKay making the analogy that it would be like a football team made up of Canadian college players beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Yup, or an amateur beating Tyson, not Buster Douglas.

 

[78]

I remember legendary ABC sports announcer Jim McKay making the analogy that it would be like a football team made up of Canadian college players beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The US team was made up of amateurs. The Ruskies trotted our every grizzled professional they could.

 

[Gator By Marriage]

Didn’t the Dream Team lose to college players? I would put that up there.

They did lose to a group of college all-stars, coached by Mike Krzyzewski in a meaningless game, a scrimmage really, where the USA coach, Chuck Daly mostly held Jordan out. It was pretty much felt the Daly deliberately caused the loss to keep the team from getting complacent.

 

[Gatorraid81]

November 23, 2017.

The Georgia Southern Eagles went into the Swamp on Saturday and stunned the Florida Gators, walking out with a 26-20 win. The Eagles (7-4) ran their triple option offense to perfection, and Florida struggled to defend it throughout the game. Georgia Southern's 429 yards of offense, all on the ground, were simply too much for a banged-up Gators.

The year was 2013

 

[Gator By Marriage]

The US team was made up of amateurs. The Ruskies trotted our every grizzled professional they could.

Four of the Soviets on that team were later inducted into the Hockey HOF.

 

[NVGator]

The year was 2013

Thanks. Typo and fixed.

 

[GatorJ]

 

[PCGatorAlum]

Was in my senior year of high school at a boarding school we were granted special permission to listen to the game during study hours.

 

[78]

The first Clay over Liston was a shocker until everyone figured out Liston was really a woos hiding behind an ex-con rep. Or, who knows, maybe he got a big payday.

 

[SeabeeGator]

Man O War - possibly the greatest racehorse of all time - only lost once and it was to a 100-1 longshot named.... Upset. Probably qualifies.

Also, America (rambling bunch of farmer soldiers) over the United Kingdom (at the time, greatest power the world had ever known).

 

[Gator By Marriage]

Also, America (rambling bunch of farmer soldiers) over the United Kingdom (at the time, greatest power the world had ever known).

I was careful to say sports upset.

 

[SeabeeGator]

On February 22, 1980 was what I believe to be the greatest sports upset of all time: The US hockey team beating the Soviets 4-3 in the Lake Placid Olympics. Can anyone think of a bigger upset?

You listed what you believe was the greatest sports upset of all time then asked if there was a bigger upset. Qualifier was needed for “bigger upset”.

 

[Detroitgator]

Again, not even close... not even in the same solar system... not even in same galaxy... not even in same universe...