Professional athletes perform near-impossible feats on a regular basis, often making it look easy in the process. Even in the world of sports, however, there are certain accomplishments that manage to stand out from the crowd and become the stuff of legends.
The following six entries recognize some of the most amazing moments in sports history. Whether you’re a casual or die-hard fan, the once-in-a-lifetime accomplishments of these men and women are sure to leave you in awe.
1. Wilt Chamberlain Scores 100 Points in a Single NBA Game
On March 2nd, 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record that still stands more than 50 years later. While taking on the New York Knicks at the Hershey Sports Arena, the 7’1” former Globetrotter scored an incredible 100 points on the way to a 169-147 victory. In doing so, Chamberlain broke his own single-game scoring record set earlier in the year. The closest any player has come to the record since then was Kobe Bryant’s 81-point effort in a 2006 game against the Toronto Raptors.
2. Michael Phelps Wins Eight Gold Medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, a still-in-his-teens Michael Phelps captured six gold and two bronze medals in swimming. He became even more dominant over the next few years, and many wondered if 2008 would see him break the record of seven gold medals set by Mark Spitz in 1972. Phelps came out like gangbusters at the next Olympics, breaking world records and capturing one gold medallion after another. By the time the competition was over, he had been awarded eight gold medals and surpassed Spitz as the Olympian with the most first-place finishes.
3. Joe Jeanette Overcomes 27 Knockdowns to Win a Fight
Despite a 15-year boxing career and 113 documented wins, Joe Jeanette never received a shot at the heavyweight title due to the rampant racism in early 20th century America. He repeatedly proved his abilities in the ring, however, and his 10 fights against Jack Johnson caused the future heavyweight champ to dub him “the toughest man I ever fought.” He also participated in the longest fight of the 20th century, taking on Sam McVey in Paris in 1909. Jeanette tasted the canvas an amazing 27 times during the bout, but he managed to battle back, floor his opponent 19 times, and win the match after McVey was unable to continue following the 49th round.
4. Nadia Comaneci Scores the First Perfect Ten in Olympic Gymnastics
At the age of 14, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci travelled to Montreal to compete in the 1976 Summer Olympics. She had been voted “Female Athlete of the Year” by the United Press International in 1975, so expectations were high going into the competition. The teen exceeded even the most optimistic projections, however, becoming the first modern athlete to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics, a feat that was previously considered impossible. She went on to win three gold medals in Montreal, as well as a bronze, and her status as a sports legend was assured.
5. Diego Maradona Scores the “Goal of the Century”
Four years after the Falklands War was fought between the two nations, England and Argentina collided in the quarter-final round of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. Diego Maradona, widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time, carried the game on his Argentine shoulders, scoring two legendary goals in the process. The first would become known as the “Hand of God goal,” due to the superstar illegally using his hand. The second, however, was more impressive and legal, as Maradona streaked towards the goal and left four confused English outfielders in his wake. A last-second feint put the goalie on his backside, and the resulting score gave Argentina a 2-0 lead and an eventual 2-1 win.
6. Adrian Peterson Rushes for 296 Yards in a Single NFL Game
On November 4th, 2007, the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings hosted the 4-3 San Diego Chargers. By the end of the first half, the visiting team was leading 14-7, and they had managed to hold talented rookie running back Adrian Peterson to just 43 yards on 13 carries. That all changed in the second half, though, as “Purple Jesus” utilized a combination of speed and power to gash the defense and set a single-game NFL record for rushing yards. His final stats: 1 reception for 19 yards, 30 rushes for 296 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The Vikings won 35-17.
