Like many Americans, I watch a lot of sports. I watch football, basketball, baseball, mixed martial arts, tennis, and hockey. Hell, every four years I even turn on some soccer. I watch kids (Little League World Series) and I watch celebrities mix it up with old-timers (MLB All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game). Having consumed so many events, I have experienced millions upon millions of mundane, commonplace moments:
- Wilson grounds out to first.
- Jackson makes 10-foot jump shot.
- Williams runs up the middle for 2 yards.
- Lewis walks.
With so many boring moments, what keeps me coming back to the TV for more? For one, rooting interest. Anytime the Trojans, Seahawks, Mariners, or Lakers play, I tune in to root for them. Fantasy players also become rooting interests. As I write this article, the Phillies-Dodgers game plays in the background not because I cheer for either of those teams, but because Jimmy Rollins and Andre Ethier are both on my fantasy baseball squad. But what about the games in which I have no rooting interest? Why do I stick around? Let me answer that question using good ole fashion show-and-tell…
I watch because amidst all the ordinary plays and repetition, the sports gods sprinkle magical moments like Reggie Bush's touchdown run above versus Fresno State. I watch because every time I turn on the TV there is a chance that something special will happen. In almost every game, fans are lucky enough to witness an exciting play or moment that makes it worthwhile to sit through the boring stuff.
But which of these events is the most incredible? What is the most exciting play in sports? In order to create a fair and ultimately more interesting debate, I set the following criteria:
I watch because amidst all the ordinary plays and repetition, the sports gods sprinkle magical moments like Reggie Bush's touchdown run above versus Fresno State. I watch because every time I turn on the TV there is a chance that something special will happen. In almost every game, fans are lucky enough to witness an exciting play or moment that makes it worthwhile to sit through the boring stuff.
But which of these events is the most incredible? What is the most exciting play in sports? In order to create a fair and ultimately more interesting debate, I set the following criteria:
- The play cannot be a broken play or a unique highlight (i.e. the Bush juke and run from above does not qualify, but the generic "breakaway touchdown run" does qualify)
- The play cannot draw its significance from the moment or from the circumstances surrounding the play (i.e. cannot be a game-winner, buzzer-beater, walk-off, etc.)
- It cannot be a fight or brawl or any other extracurricular activity
- The play must occur during the natural flow of the game (i.e. no penalty shootouts/shots)
After brainstorming all of the possible candidates and weeding out a bunch of them using the criteria that I set, I present to you the top five most exciting plays in sports, starting with…
5. Punt/kick return for a touchdown
Although special teams units do not get the attention that offensive and defensive units receive, special teams is often considered the x-factor on the gridiron. A dynamic special teams package has the ability to dramatically alter the score and momentum of a game. I find it unique because it is a play that can never be scripted and seems to have a flow to it that is absent during set offensive plays. While the majority of punt and kick returns are blown up early during the play and stuffed for minimal gain (0-10 yards on a punt return, 10-25 yards on a kick return), a small amount of returns are executed smoothly enough to generate six points. Sometimes its as simple as following your blockers through the wedge, and sometimes it takes a little more fortune (YouTube "Music City Miracle"). But one thing is clear, some kick/punt returners simply have a knack for breaking loose; Bush did it in college; Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs do it in the NFL. Check out DeSean Jackson's punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee back during his college days…
4. Outfield assist
An outfield assist is a huge defensive play that usually saves a run or two. These plays excite me because they develop very quickly (something rare in baseball) and because they are so close aka "bang bang." There is also some bravado involved in these moments. Base runners, especially the quickest ones like B.J. Upton and Juan Pierre, like to think they can raise terror on the base paths at their own will. They take liberties and trust that their speed will take them safely into the next base. But the guys who patrol the outfield have other ideas. "You think you can run on me? I dare you." The defenders with the huge cannons, like Ichiro Suzuki, Delmon Young, and Jeff Francoeur, relish the challenge. If fans are lucky, it will be a challenge at home plate that ends in a collision. Finally, if you get the chance to look at a replay of the assist from an angle that allows you to see both the fielder collect the ball and the base runner run the bases, it can be very cool.
3. Dunking on a defender
There is nothing more embarrassing in sports than being dunked on by another player. I understand that sometimes, for shot blockers, its an instinctive reaction to go and protect the rim. But often the decision just results in two points, humiliation, and a new poster for sale in sports memorabilia shops. The best thing about these plays is that they feel like Earth-shattering moments. The rim gets rocked, the athletes get amped up, and the fans go crazy. Every time I see it happen, I love it and can only say things like, "Wow…did that really just happen? That was ridiculous!" And I simply cannot help myself from rewinding the tape and watching it once more. Here is one of my favorites, from my boy D-Wade…
2. Breakaway hockey goal
It happens in the blink of an eye and usually off a mistake by an attacking team. In fact, the opportunity seems to appear out of thin air. The breakaway goal is awesome because it is so rare, yet so simple in concept. It's one-on-one, attacker full speed ahead versus the goalie. A save by the goalie in these situations is very impressive, but a goal is definitely more exciting. The attacker often uses some sort of deception to get the goalie off balance. It's the one time in a hockey game where it seems as though time stands still and every pair of eyes is on the same part of the ice. Very cool. Check out Pavel Datsyuk's breakaway goal this past season against Phoenix…
1. Pick-six in football
An interception returned for a touchdown is without a doubt the most exciting play in sports! I am giddy just thinking about it. First, like the breakaway goal in hockey, a pick-six comes out of thin air. Nobody ever expects or foresees an interception, much less a pick-six. It can happen from anywhere on the football field and a split-second after the quarterback releases the football you suddenly realize your starting safety has it going the other way. It's an awesome feeling. And if you have the chance to see the play develop, you can see the defender anticipate the ball and read the quarterback. The athletic prowess involved is like no other.
Second, unlike the others on this list, the defense is the one that puts the points on the board. And usually those points come at the end of a dramatic runback that leaves you speechless. Sometimes its simply a foot race, but other times it looks like the defensive player is navigating his way through a maze with blockers and defenders falling left and right. But, as a fan, that's what makes it so intriguing--the play is not too fast for you to follow, so you get a chance to cheer on the player as he weaves through the defense and bolts to the end zone. Sometimes it can even be comical, such as when a linemen happens to intercept the pass and he finds himself rumbling and stumbling the other way.
Finally, no other play shifts momentum like the pick-six does. A defense can be against the rope in its own end zone and manage to pull one down, run it back, and completely alter the tone of the game. It is the one play that sucks the life out of the offense; pay attention after a pick-six occurs and you will see players on the offense look like they had just seen a ghost. Speechless. In shock and awe. I managed to find a couple videos of great pick-sixes. The first one features my all-time favorite defensive player, Ed Reed. And the second features Rey Maualuga during the first half of USC's rout over Ohio State in 2008.
I hope you enjoyed the list! Do you agree with my rankings? Would you move any of the selections up or down? Perhaps there is a play that I left out? Please share your thoughts! Thanks.
5. Punt/kick return for a touchdown
Although special teams units do not get the attention that offensive and defensive units receive, special teams is often considered the x-factor on the gridiron. A dynamic special teams package has the ability to dramatically alter the score and momentum of a game. I find it unique because it is a play that can never be scripted and seems to have a flow to it that is absent during set offensive plays. While the majority of punt and kick returns are blown up early during the play and stuffed for minimal gain (0-10 yards on a punt return, 10-25 yards on a kick return), a small amount of returns are executed smoothly enough to generate six points. Sometimes its as simple as following your blockers through the wedge, and sometimes it takes a little more fortune (YouTube "Music City Miracle"). But one thing is clear, some kick/punt returners simply have a knack for breaking loose; Bush did it in college; Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs do it in the NFL. Check out DeSean Jackson's punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee back during his college days…
4. Outfield assist
An outfield assist is a huge defensive play that usually saves a run or two. These plays excite me because they develop very quickly (something rare in baseball) and because they are so close aka "bang bang." There is also some bravado involved in these moments. Base runners, especially the quickest ones like B.J. Upton and Juan Pierre, like to think they can raise terror on the base paths at their own will. They take liberties and trust that their speed will take them safely into the next base. But the guys who patrol the outfield have other ideas. "You think you can run on me? I dare you." The defenders with the huge cannons, like Ichiro Suzuki, Delmon Young, and Jeff Francoeur, relish the challenge. If fans are lucky, it will be a challenge at home plate that ends in a collision. Finally, if you get the chance to look at a replay of the assist from an angle that allows you to see both the fielder collect the ball and the base runner run the bases, it can be very cool.
3. Dunking on a defender
There is nothing more embarrassing in sports than being dunked on by another player. I understand that sometimes, for shot blockers, its an instinctive reaction to go and protect the rim. But often the decision just results in two points, humiliation, and a new poster for sale in sports memorabilia shops. The best thing about these plays is that they feel like Earth-shattering moments. The rim gets rocked, the athletes get amped up, and the fans go crazy. Every time I see it happen, I love it and can only say things like, "Wow…did that really just happen? That was ridiculous!" And I simply cannot help myself from rewinding the tape and watching it once more. Here is one of my favorites, from my boy D-Wade…
2. Breakaway hockey goal
It happens in the blink of an eye and usually off a mistake by an attacking team. In fact, the opportunity seems to appear out of thin air. The breakaway goal is awesome because it is so rare, yet so simple in concept. It's one-on-one, attacker full speed ahead versus the goalie. A save by the goalie in these situations is very impressive, but a goal is definitely more exciting. The attacker often uses some sort of deception to get the goalie off balance. It's the one time in a hockey game where it seems as though time stands still and every pair of eyes is on the same part of the ice. Very cool. Check out Pavel Datsyuk's breakaway goal this past season against Phoenix…
1. Pick-six in football
An interception returned for a touchdown is without a doubt the most exciting play in sports! I am giddy just thinking about it. First, like the breakaway goal in hockey, a pick-six comes out of thin air. Nobody ever expects or foresees an interception, much less a pick-six. It can happen from anywhere on the football field and a split-second after the quarterback releases the football you suddenly realize your starting safety has it going the other way. It's an awesome feeling. And if you have the chance to see the play develop, you can see the defender anticipate the ball and read the quarterback. The athletic prowess involved is like no other.
Second, unlike the others on this list, the defense is the one that puts the points on the board. And usually those points come at the end of a dramatic runback that leaves you speechless. Sometimes its simply a foot race, but other times it looks like the defensive player is navigating his way through a maze with blockers and defenders falling left and right. But, as a fan, that's what makes it so intriguing--the play is not too fast for you to follow, so you get a chance to cheer on the player as he weaves through the defense and bolts to the end zone. Sometimes it can even be comical, such as when a linemen happens to intercept the pass and he finds himself rumbling and stumbling the other way.
Finally, no other play shifts momentum like the pick-six does. A defense can be against the rope in its own end zone and manage to pull one down, run it back, and completely alter the tone of the game. It is the one play that sucks the life out of the offense; pay attention after a pick-six occurs and you will see players on the offense look like they had just seen a ghost. Speechless. In shock and awe. I managed to find a couple videos of great pick-sixes. The first one features my all-time favorite defensive player, Ed Reed. And the second features Rey Maualuga during the first half of USC's rout over Ohio State in 2008.
I hope you enjoyed the list! Do you agree with my rankings? Would you move any of the selections up or down? Perhaps there is a play that I left out? Please share your thoughts! Thanks.
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