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From last-minute turnarounds to massive meltdowns, these are the stories of teams and athletes who were on the brink of glory — only to find themselves being remembered in sports history for the wrong reasons. Our experts sat down and recalled some of the most famous “chokes” in all of sports. Which one(s) do you remember the most?
Bill Buckner — 1986 World Series
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Arguably the most infamous gaffe of all-time, Bill Buckner’s error cost the Red Sox the 1986 World Series. Up 3-2 in the series and 5-3 in the 10th, Boston allowed the Mets to tie the game 5-5 in the moments leading up to Buckner’s failure. With two outs and the winning runner on-base, a slow grounder was hit towards Buckner at first. Buckner committed the cardinal sin of not getting down all the way, and the ball bound through his legs. The error forced a Game 7 — New York won 8-5.
Tampa Bay Lightning — 2019 NHL Postseason
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Coming off of a historically great regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning entered the 2019 NHL Playoffs as the heavy favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup. Their 62 wins tied an NHL record, the team’s +103 goal differential was 41 goals better than anyone else, and they claimed the Presidents’ Trophy by 21 points. In a stunning turn of events, the Lightning were swept out of the playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round. Tampa was outscored 19-8 by the Jackets — a team that finished 30 points behind the Lightning in the regular season.
Golden State Warriors — 2016 NBA Finals
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The 2016 NBA Finals should have been over in five games. After winning the first two games in Oakland by a combined 48 points, Golden State was poised to capture their second title in a row. A Cavs blowout in Game 3 did little to change the narrative, but the end of Game 4 set the series on its head. Despite the Warriors claiming Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 lead, they left the game broken down. Draymond Green was suspended by the league for his mix-up with LeBron and sat on the sidelines as Cleveland won Game 5 in Oakland. Another Cavs victory in Game 6 sent the series back to Oakland for Game 7. In a classic bout, Cleveland edged out the Warriors in the final minute. However, the lasting legacy from the series will always be Green’s suspension and Golden State’s massive choke job.
Tony Romo — 2006 NFC Wild Card
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Tony Romo was a good quarterback for many years in the NFL. While he didn’t bring Dallas a Super Bowl, he was routinely regarded as a top quarterback league-wide. Despite his production, Romo will be remembered for fumbling away a playoff victory. With Dallas lining up to kick a game-winning field goal against the Seahawks, all Romo had to do was catch the snap and spin the laces for Martin Gramatica. Instead, Romo couldn’t handle the snap and wound up costing Dallas the game. Lett, Romo, who’s next?
New York Yankees — 2004 ALCS
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After routing the Red Sox 19-8 in Game 3 of the ALCS, the Yankees were one victory away from returning to the World Series. Then, Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera blew a ninth-inning lead in Game 4 and a David Ortiz walk-off in the 12th kept Boston alive. Once again, Ortiz came through in the clutch in Game 5 — this time in the 14th inning. Curt Schilling put on a clinic in Game 6 aka the ‘bloody sock game,’ setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 in New York. Boston dominated the Yanks from the start, and with a 10-3 victory became the first baseball team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
Jean van de Velde — 1999 Open Championship
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Golf can be a miserable sport for one’s psyche, just ask Jean van de Velde. Entering the final round of the Open Championship with a five-stroke lead, van de Velde was all but assured a Major victory. As he approached the 18th hole, he held a three-stroke lead and needed just a double-bogey to win the tournament. van de Velde sent a shot into the creek and another off a grandstand before hitting a putt for a triple-bogey. A four-hole playoff was necessary to determine a winner, and van de Velde continued to fail. By day’s end, van de Velde had blown a five-stroke lead and allowed Paul Lawrie to overcome a 10-shot disadvantage to win the tourney.
Houston Oilers — 1992 AFC Wild Card
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The Oilers taught us that no lead is ever safe. After Bubba McDowell intercepted a pass and took it to the house to give Houston a 35-3 lead, the world thought the Bills were toast. Stunningly, over the final 24 minutes of the game, Buffalo — playing without Jim Kelly — outscored the Oilers 35-3 to force overtime. When Buffalo converted a game-winning field goal in OT, the Oilers monumental choke was complete.
J.R. Smith — 2018 NBA Finals
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J.R. Smith has garnered a reputation for being somewhat aloof. So, it should come as no surprise that he had one of the biggest gaffes in NBA history. With five seconds remaining in Game 1 of the 2018 Finals, Smith hauled in a rebound off of a missed free throw. Instead of converting a practically gimme-layup, Smith panicked and dribbled out the clock. The Cavs wound up losing in overtime en route to being swept by the Warriors. LeBron James was so upset with Smith’s decision that he punched a wall following the game — allegedly breaking his hand.
Brazil — 2014 World Cup
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The 2014 World Cup was supposed to be Brazil’s coronation. The hosts entered the tournament with a stacked squad. They topped their group with seven points, knocked off Chile in the Round of 16 on penalties, and outlasted Colombia 2-1 to reach the semis against Germany. Without the services of their star player, Neymar, Brazil was sure to be challenged. However, nobody could have foreseen the 7-1 thrashing Germany laid upon the host nation. In a game that could have easily been 10-0 — or worse — the team and country were embarrassed. To top it off, Brazil was embarrassed once more in the Third Place game — losing to Netherlands 3-0.
Chris Webber — 1993 National Championship
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Chris Webber enjoyed a fabulous career in the NBA. Unfortunately for him (and Michigan), he will always be known for his costly error at the end of the 1993 National Championship. As a part of the highly-touted ‘Fab Five’, Webber was moments away from potentially capturing the title. Trailing North Carolina by two, Webber had the ball in his hands with a chance to tie or take the lead. Ultimately, Webber was trapped by two Tar Heels and had no escape. Losing track of the moment, Webber signaled for a timeout that his team didn’t have. As a result, North Carolina was awarded two shots and the ball. Michigan fell short of a National Championship for the second time in as many years, and Webber found himself atop the Mt. Rushmore of most bone-headed plays.
Chicago Cubs — 2003 NLCS
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The Cubs were five outs away from their first National League Pennant since 1945, and then Steve Bartman happened. The Cubs fell apart after the fan (perhaps) cost them an out. Leading the series 3-2 and Game 6 3-0, the Cubs allowed Florida to score eight runs in the eighth. The Curse of the Billy Goat lived on for another 13 years before the Cubs finally returned to the World Series.
Greg Norman — 1996 Masters
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The 60th edition of the Masters will long be remembered. Opening the tournament with the second-ever 63 (-9) was Greg Norman. The 41-year-old Norman entered the weekend at -12 and held a four-stroke lead over Nick Faldo. Norman entered the final round at -13 — with a seemingly insurmountable six-stroke lead over Faldo. Then it all fell apart. Norman shot a 78 (+6), while Faldo posted a 67 (-5). The 11-stroke swing resulted in an easy win for Faldo and completed one of the worst collapses in the history of sports.
Texas Rangers — 2011 World Series
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Leading 7-5 and only one strike away from winning the World Series, the Texas Rangers imploded. A David Freese shot to right field was severely misplayed by Nelson Cruz, allowing the tying runs to score. Texas regained a two-run lead in the 10th but blew that lead as well. A Freese homer in the 11th sent the series to Game 7. And despite scoring two runs in the first inning, Texas was outscored 6-0 the rest of the way.
Leon Lett — Super Bowl XXVII + Thanksgiving 1993
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Oh, Leon. Leon Lett has the incredible dishonor of owning two of the most embarrassing fumbles in NFL history. During Super Bowl XXVII, Lett recovered a fumble and raced for the end zone. Just as he was about to score, Buffalo’s Don Beebe surprised Lett and caused the big man to fumble. Though it didn’t matter ultimately, Lett missed a golden opportunity to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Lett’s second failure occurred on Thanksgiving Day, 1993. Lett’s Cowboys led Miami 14-13 with seconds to go. Lett blocked Miami’s game-winning field goal attempt, recovered the ball, fumbled — again — and allowed Miami a second shot at winning the game…which they did.
Patrik Štefan — 2007 vs. Edmonton
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A former No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft, Patrik Stefan is responsible for one of the most mind-numbing plays you will ever see. With his Dallas Stars leading the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 with under 15 seconds remaining, Stefan stole the puck and embarked on an open path to the goal. Despite having enough time and space to crawl inside the goal if he had chosen to, Stefan somehow botched the opportunity. The Oilers promptly collected the puck, went down the ice, and scored with just two seconds left.
Northern Iowa — 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Northern Iowa, an 11-seed, led the No. 3 seed Texas A&M Aggies 69-57 with 44 seconds remaining. The Aggies turned to a full-court press to disrupt UNI. As a result, UNI showed the poise of a true underdog and committed four turnovers in the final 40 seconds. A&M went on a 14-2 run to close the game and went on to defeat UNI 92-88 in double overtime. UNI’s collapse was the largest lead blown in the final minute of a game in NCAA D-1 history.
Andrés Escobar — 1994 World Cup
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An accomplished player both at the club and International level, Andres Escobar committed a blunder that will never be forgotten. Colombia entered the 1994 World Cup with hopes of contending. However, in Colombia’s contest against the United States, Escobar scored an own goal. The mistake directly resulted in Colombia’s exit from the tournament. In a tragic turn of events, Escobar was murdered just five days after his mishap in the World Cup.
Brooklyn Dodgers — 1951 National League Pennant Race
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In 1951, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants combined for one of the most memorable finishes in baseball history. The Dodgers held a 13-game lead over their rivals in mid-August. The Giants, forever a Dodgers’ foil, won 37-of-44 games to end the season, Brooklyn went 9-11. To determine the pennant winner, a best-of-three tiebreaker was needed. After splitting the first two games, Brooklyn entered the ninth inning of Game 3 with a 4-1 lead. The Giants’ Bobby Thomson smacked a three-run homer off Ralph Branca to win the game 5-4. Making matters worse for the Dodgers, the ballgame was the first ever nationally televised game. “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” remains one of baseball’s most memorable moments 70 years later.
John Carney — Week 17, 2003
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A Week 17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars would have clinched a berth for the Saints in the postseason. With only seven seconds left in regulation, the Saints seemed dead in the water. Facing a seven-point deficit, New Orleans managed to score from 75 yards out to bring the team within a single point. Allow us to introduce, John Carney. Carney — who entered the day a perfect 36-for-36 on extra point attempts — would send the game to overtime with a converted kick. Unfortunately for the Saints, Carney sent the ball wide-right and cost his team a chance at the playoffs.
Nick Anderson — 1995 NBA Finals
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When the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets squared off in the 1995 NBA Finals, Shaquille O’Neal was still searching for his first ring. Then, after the Magic had already blown a 20-point lead, Nick Anderson essentially ended their season in the waning moments. Sporting a three-point lead with 10 seconds remaining, Anderson stepped to the free-throw line for two shots. One make would have iced the game. Instead, Anderson clanked both shots. Houston’s Kenny Smith subsequently nailed a three to send the game to OT — paving the way for a four-game Houston sweep.
