Identifying Iconic Moments in Sports From These One-Liners

There’s no better thrill in the world than seeing your favorite team up close attending an in-person sporting event. 

However, something you’d be deprived of when making the decision to commit to buying tickets is the inability to listen to the commentators. They guide you through each play, provide input on what just occurred, but most importantly, they express emotion.

In doing so, they create more liveliness and credibility to a play than it deserves. A play is arguably memorable because of the fact that the commentators responded the way they did. With this in mind, here are a couple of moments in which this occurred.

“James catches, puts up a three won’t go. Rebound Bosh, back out to Allen, his three pointer. BANG.”

Ray Allen famously makes the 2013 game 6 shot for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

The most memorable shot that Ray Allen has ever made is that famous game-tying shot for the Miami Heat during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.  This shot saved the game and the series against San Antonio for Miami, who won Game 6 in overtime and then went on to win their second consecutive NBA title. 

However, the way this was narrated could not have been done any more perfectly than Marve Albert anticipated. His iconic “BANG” phrase was coined since this moment, helping emphasize the importance of any and all shots taken beyond the arc. 

“The Band is out on the field” 

“The Play,” last-second kickoff return by the California Golden Bear. (via the SportsFan Journal)

Known as “The Play,” a last-second kickoff return occurred during a college football game between the Stanford Cardinals and California Golden Bears on November 20, 1982. 

California beats Stanford 25-20 on a last-second kickoff return dubbed "The Play" that included five lateral passes and the Stanford marching band, who charged the field prematurely. Cal's Kevin Moen scored the winning TD by crashing into a trombone player. Called by Joe Starkeythis play was notorious not just because of the chaos that ensued, but because of how organized the announcing was over the pandemonium at stake.

“Play clock at five. Pass is INTERCEPTED AT THE GOAL LINE BY MALCOLM BUTLER!” 

 Al Michaels famously called the “Malcolm Butler catch” of Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and Seahawks. Butler’s interception at the goal line helped secure the Patriots’ comeback win. 

Malcolm Butler makes the iconic interception of Superbowl XLIX. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

However, Michaels was quick to make this call in a matter of seconds. He claims that the reason for recognizing so easily that Butler made this catch was because of the fact Butler’s name was fresh in mind from a play that ensued before. That said, Michaels helped confirm the reason why the undrafted free agent from West Alabama is now a household name. 

“The Atlanta Braves are the champions of the World.”

As called by Vin Scully, the Atlanta Braves clinched the 1995 World Series. (via Marlene Karas)

Although it sounds like such a simple phrase, it certainly isn’t when you know who claimed to announce this call. Vin Scully, the legendary Dodgers announcer is the only person in history to make this famous proclamation on live television. His track record of iconic commentary only emphasizes just how immersive this moment is. 

With the crowd blaring through the television and Scully’s voice overshadowing the roar, it’s anything you can ask for as a bystander behind the tv screen. 

“Do you believe in miracles? YES!”

The 1980 USA Olympic hockey team defeats the mighty Soviet Union. (via Getty Images)

I am sorry to inform you about this, but if you don’t know where this quote is from, you simply aren’t American. 

Al Michaels once again makes his name known on this list for commentating the legendary events of the Feb. 22, 1980 game when the United States Olympic hockey team defeated the mighty Soviet Union in Lake Placid. 

Michaels’ exclamation at the end of the United States 4-3 upset of the USSR in the 1980 Olympic hockey semifinals is the greatest call in the history of American sportscasting. The call was so memorable that it was a launching point for the movie “Miracle”. Michaels would return to record audio for this movie to match his iconic call of the game. 

The victory would be everlasting because of the magnitude of the achievement in the tense political climate. 

Although there may be snubs to this list, there is no surprise that each and every one of these sporting events wouldn’t be the same without the announcer who compliments it. The emotions they express are just as magnified as the crowd roaring under them. No matter what was said, it would be eternally memorable, and just as enjoyable to listen to in the comfort of your home as it is to watch in person.