Do You Believe in Miracles? YES! Famous Upsets in Professional Sports

The title of this quiz is taken from the famous tv broadcast call in 1980 by Al Michaels during the 1980 Olympics when the Soviet Union men's hockey team was upset. That was one of the biggest upsets in modern sports history. Time to show how much you know about that event and other amazing, unexpected results from past sporting events.

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Dave Morrissey

Dave is an accomplished economics instructor with over two decades of experience in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. His students have consistently ranked in the top 10% annually, and one year they achieved the highest overall class average in the world. This outstanding achievement led a UK publisher to request that he write a textbook, an offer he declined in favor of creating sports quizzes, which he found more engaging.

In addition to his teaching career, Dave is also a former high school football coach, having won a couple of local championships. While he wishes he had won more, he continues to be deeply involved in football as a scout, recruiter, and social media creator for a university football team.

Dave's passions extend beyond the classroom and football field. He is an avid fan of live music and international travel, often combining these interests. He has traveled to Spain, England, Iceland, and Chile to see bands perform. His greatest pride and joy is his daughter, who has recently excelled in powerlifting. In just a few years, she has become the Canadian record holder for the bench press in her weight class and finished second overall in the combined national event (bench, deadlift, and squat) in Moose Jaw in March 2024. She will be representing Canada at the World Bench Competition in Austin, Texas, in May 2024.

A die-hard fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Dave has experienced his share of sports heartache, having seen them play in seven NFL cities with six losses. His all-time favorite athlete is Don Mattingly, reflecting his deep love for sports that spans many arenas.

Do You Believe in Miracles? YES! Famous Upsets in Professional Sports

In 2012, what #2 seed lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament to 15th seeded Lehigh?

What unknown player beat defending Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf in the 1st round of Wimbledon in 1994?

In 2021, what #2 seed lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament to 15th seeded Oral Roberts?

In 1988, what heavily favoured team did the Los Angeles Dodgers upset to win the World Series?

What underdog team upset the Russians and then went on to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Men's Hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics?

In 2016, what #2 seed lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament to 15th seeded Middle Tennessee?

What team beat the 14 point favourite 'Greatest Show of Turf' St. Louis Rams to win Super Bowl XXXVI?

What team defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII 17 to 14 to ruin their 18-0 record?

What huge underdog shocked the New York Yankees to win the 2003 World Series?

What 15 year-old, unknown last-minute qualifier upset Venus Williams in the 1st round of Wimbledon in 2019?

What 9-7 team upset John Elway's heavily favoured Denver Bronco team 30 to 27 in the 1996 Divisional NFL Playoffs?

What team did the 19.5 point underdog New York Jets defeat in Super Bowl III?

What 7-9 team that made the playoffs & upset the reigning Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints 41 to 36 in the Wildcard round of the 2010 playoffs?

In 1969, what team defeated the heavily favoured Baltimore Orioles to win the World Series?

What NCCA basketball team won the 1985 national title over the heavily favoured Georgetown Hoyas?

Who was the QB for the New York Giants when they upset Buffalo 20 to 19 in Super Bowl XXV?

What team upset the 13 point favourite Minnesota Vikings to easily win Super Bowl IV?

In 2007, what small college school upset Michigan in what has become a classic, well-known NCAA football upset?

In the 1st round of the 1982 NHL playoffs, what team did the L.A. Kings defeat that finished 48 points ahead of them in the regular season?

What NCAA basketball team won the 1983 national title on a last second shot over heavily-favoured Houston?

What team upset the heavily favoured 15-1 Minnesota Vikings to win the 1988 NFC Championship Game?

In 2018, what team became the 1st #1 seed to lose a 1st round game in the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament?

In 2013, what #2 seed lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament to 15th seeded Florida Gulf Coast?

In 2022, what #2 seed lost in the 1st round of the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament to 15th seeded St. Peter's?

What unheralded boxer knocked out the previously unbeaten Mike Tyson in 1990 in Tokyo, Japan?

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