50 Most Memorable Sports Moments of the Last Decade

The 50 most memorable sports moments of the last decade are filled with emotional attachment.

There have been some glorious celebrations, some tragic errors in judgement and some downright unbelievable performances on this list.

Drew Brees hoisting his son Baylen was an iconic moment that almost everyone could enjoy.

But was it the most remembered?

50. Jerry Meals Blows the Call

This one is extraordinarily recent, but it deserves mentioning considering the illogical nature of the call.

After the Braves and Pirates had played for seven hours and 19 innings, home plate umpire Jerry Meals called Julio Lugo safe when he was clearly out by a substantial margin.

I’m not sure what game Meals was watching, but it clearly wasn’t the one in front of him.

49. White Sox Win 2005 World Series

Most people are quick to forget that when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005, their first in 88 years.

Ozzie Guillen’s squad clinched it with a 1-0 victory in Game 4 over the Houston Astros, and they finished the postseason with an 11-1 record en route to a World Series title.

Dating back to the final days of the regular season, the team won 16 of its final 17 games.

48. Wambach Header Against Brazil

Abby Wambach sent the United States into an absolute frenzy when she nailed the header to tie Brazil at 2-2 in overtime.

Following up the heroic moment, the team went on to defeat Brazil in penalty kicks and advanced past them when so many had doubted their ability.

Although they lost the final game to Japan, Wambach’s ability to deliver in the clutch was on full display throughout the tournament.

47. 18-Inning Marathon Between Houston and Atlanta

The 2005 postseason saw one of the best games in history when the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves battled it out for 18 innings.

A 43-year-old Roger Clemens came out of the bullpen to save the Astros, and Chris Burke sent a home run into the stands to cap off the never-ending affair.

Sadly, the 2005 season was the last time the Houston Astros had any relevance in discussions surrounding the postseason.

46. Tiger Woods Wins US Open on One Leg

Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open in Donovan McNabb style, except his version was even better.

Woods had a torn ACL and fractured tibia when he played 91 holes to win the U.S. Open.

The legend of Woods grew strongly with this unbelievable performance.

45. Derek Fisher's Shot with 0.4 Seconds Left

When Tim Duncan hit a miraculous shot from the top of the arc with just moments remaining against the Lakers, he thought he sealed the deal for his San Antonio club.

However, 0.4 seconds was more than enough for Derek Fisher to retaliate and hit one of the most improbable shots in history.

Fisher got the ball and threw it up with his back to the basket, only to see it sink right through the bottom of the net and the Lakers win the game.

44. Tony Romo Botched Snap vs. Seahawks

Tony Romo has really struggled with his role as “the man” in Dallas since being anointed starting quarterback, and this moment was just the beginning.

With a chance to win and advance to the next stage of the postseason, Romo botched the snap against the Seahawks and cost the Cowboys the game.

It’s a moment that he’d like to live in the past, but it’ll live on forever in the YouTube hall of fame.

43. Lisa Leslie Dunk

Slam dunks in a men’s basketball game are certainly nothing new, but dunking in a woman’s game is an entirely different story.

Lisa Leslie, who stands an impressive 6’5”, was the first woman to ever dunk in a WNBA game.

Considered a cornerstone of the WNBA, being built and an icon in the league, she really set waves off when she got up and threw down.

42. Jon Lester No-Hitter After Coming Back from Cancer

Just two years after facing a diagnosis of cancer, Jon Lester threw the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history.

Lester has really taken off as an incredible talent for the Sox since his triumphant return to the mound, and it was truly amazing to see him return in such emphatic style.

41. Butler's Cinderella Runs

It’s pretty amazing to consider what type of impact Brad Stevens has had on the Butler Bulldogs basketball program.

After a loss to Duke in 2010 by just two points in the national championship, Butler came roaring back in 2011 to reach the final stage once again, but this time they were a little further off and lost to UConn, 53-41.

Two consecutive trips to the NCAA’s biggest game from a school in the Horizon Conference.

40. Derek Jeter Flip to Jorge Posada

One of the greatest moments in New York Yankees history came when Derek Jeter decided to make one of the most unorthodox cut-off plays in baseball.

Swooping into the middle of the infield out of nowhere, Jeter flipped the ball to catcher Jorge Posada who was able to swipe tag Oakland A’s Jeremy Giambi before he touched home plate.

39. Steve Bartman Robs the Cubs

During the eighth inning of Game 6 during the 2003 NLCS, Bartman robbed Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou the chance at catching a foul popup.

Instead, the Cubs went on to give up eight runs in the inning, gave up the lead and lost the game.

The team was eliminated in Game 7 of the series the very next day, and the Cubs remain without a World Series since 1908.

38. Serena Williams Screams at the Line Judge

Williams has always been a fierce competitor, but when she went after the line judge in 2009, she really took it to another level.

In a match against Kim Clijsters, Williams felt that a call had gone the wrong way against her, and she let the line judge know exactly how she was feeling.

After screaming and cursing at the judge, Williams ended her tirade by threatening to “shove it down” her throat.

37. Duke Lacrosse Team

According to statements provided by police, a party was held 2006 at the Duke lacrosse captain’s residence.

Reportedly, after one of the strippers made a remark about the size of one of the player’s beneath the belt, the player took exception and things got a little heated.

There were many inconsistencies in the accuser's story, and it was eventually ruled that she had knowingly made false accusations to the police about the players.

Ultimately, Duke demolished the house where the party took place in 2010.

36. Zinedine Zidane Headbutt

Nobody wants to insult a member of Zinedine Zidane’s family.

Zidane’s infamous headbutt during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a result of Marco Materazzi insulting Zidane’s sister, and the soccer star really didn’t appreciate what he had to say.

He later said that he’d “rather die” than apologize to Materazzi.

35. Landon Donovan Game-Winner vs. Algeria

During the World Cup in 2010, there wasn’t a single more revered athlete in America than Landon Donovan.

Locked in a scoreless battle with Algeria and facing elimination, goalkeeper Tim Howard saw Donovan break free at midfield, and Donovan executed an attack that sent the ball into the back of the net.

34. Lance Armstrong Seven Straight Tour De France Wins

To say that Lance Armstrong was dominant during his Tour De France reign would be an understatement.

Armstrong won an incredible seven straight tours from 1999-2005, and although his retirement has been met with some controversy, there’s no doubting the impact that he had on the race.

Note: Armstrong's reign began in 1999, but because his final victory was in 2005, he qualifies for this list.

33. Terrell Owens: That's My Quarterback

In one of his Emmy award winning moments, Terrell Owens went to bat for then quarterback Tony Romo.

“It’s really unfair” is a line that will live in infamy, as T.O. backed it up with tears from behind his sunglasses and claiming that the Cowboys lost as a team.

While he’s certainly right, it was definitely strange to see Owens going to bat for anyone but himself in a press conference.

32. Yankees vs. Indians "Bug Game"

Forever to be known as “the bug game,” this bout between the Indians and Yankees was unlike anything that is usually seen on a baseball field.

In an extra inning affair, the two teams had to battle millions of bugs on the field and Joba Chamberlain appeared to be the most bothered by the swarm when attempting to execute on the mound.

31. Boston Celtics Win 2008 Championship Despite Paul Pierce Knee Injury

When the Boston Celtics squared off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, the C’s delivered the first championship to the franchise in 22 seasons.

Paul Pierce left Game 1 of the series with what looked like a devastating knee injury, only to return about 10 minutes later looking absolutely fine.

Pierce has since claimed that the knee injury was indeed real, but it certainly appeared as if he had a flair for the dramatic at the moment of his return.

30. Dave Roberts: The Steal

The Red Sox’s quest to break the curse wouldn’t have been complete without Dave Roberts swiping second base.

Entering the game as a pinch runner in Game 4 of the ALCS, Roberts successfully excuted “the steal” which led to the Red Sox stealing four straight from the favored Yankees.

Boston would go on to make history, but it would’ve never been possible without Roberts.

29. Aaron Boone Game 7 Home Run in 2003 ALCS

This Aaron Boone homer wasn’t only the biggest in his career, but it also left Red Sox fans without words.

Boone had been struggling so mightily prior to the tater that it made it extremely unlikely, and the fact that he entered the game as a substitute heightens just how miraculous the event was.

28. Usain Bolt Breaks 100M Record

Usain Bolt is no stranger to the 100-meter dash, and breaking world records are sort of his thing.

Bolt registered an insane mark of 9.58 seconds when he ran the event in Berlin during 2009.

Bolt smashed the previous record and outran Tyson Gay.

27. Luis Gonzalez Wins World Series for Arizona

The Arizona franchise never got a more important bloop single in the history of its team.

Going up against Mariano Rivera, who had recorded 23 straight postseason saves and never had blown a save in the World Series, Gonzo promptly delivered the hit that his team needed and sent Arizona into frenzy.

26. Don Imus Speaks About Rutgers Basketball

One of the most insane moments of the last decade comes from the notable Don Imus.

After Imus referred to the Rutgers female basketball team as a bunch of “nappy headed hoes,” CBS went on to fire him for his racial slur.

The moment was absolutely shocking and received a boatload of media coverage.

25. Marion Jones PED Use

When Marion Jones won five medals at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, it was remarkable to watch her perform.

But when news trickled out that she didn’t do it alone, it put a serious damper on her accomplishments.

Jones took the steroid known as “the clear” for two years beginning in 1999, and she was stripped of her medals and banned from competing in the Beijing games.

24. Curt Schillings Bloody Sock

Another fantastic moment from the 2004 World Series campaign for the Red Sox was when Curt Schilling showed off his bloody sock to the world.

Schilling had surgery before that season to repair a ruptured tendon sheath, but when it began to break down, team doctors made a wall of stitches to keep the tendon in place.

The result? One history-ridden bloody sock.

23. Santonio Holmes Super Bowl Catcha vs. Arizona Cardinals

Santonio Holmes tends to come up big in situations that matter most, and his catch against the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII was definitely not an exception.

After the Cardinals scored, most thought the Steelers were doomed, but the team marched down the field, Holmes remarkably kept his toes in the end zone and caught the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining in the game.

22. Mitchell Report

When George Mitchell finally released his 21-month report, it was a 409-page document that detailed the history of illegal PED use in the league.

Without any real subpoena power, the report didn’t detail as much as most would have liked, but it did reveal some involvement of notable names like Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens.

Eighty-nine former and current major leaguers were named in the Mitchell Report.

21. Michael Vick Dogfighting Scandal

One of the worst off-field moments in football history came in 2007 when Michael Vick was identified as a heavyweight in a dog fighting ring.

A pit bull fighter, Vick reportedly owned and ran a house in Surry County, Virginia where 66 dogs were housed with a dog-fighting pit, bloodstained carpets and equipment commonly used with dog fights.

As a result, Vick was incarcerated, released from the Atlanta Falcons and really took a major hit to his image around the world.

20. Armando Galaragga's Imperfect Perfect Game

The most infamous imperfect game in MLB history belongs to Armando Galaragga and umpire Jim Joyce.

With two outs in the ninth inning, Joyce inexplicably called Jason Donald safe when he was clearly out by a half-stride and cost Galaragga a perfect game.

Joyce has since been very, very emotional about the event and admitted that he was wrong, but Galaragga likely won’t twirl a game quite like this again in his career.

19. Michael Phelps Wins 8 Medals

Michael Phelps’ dominance at the 2008 Olympic Games wasn’t just impressive. It was downright superhuman.

Phelps regulated the swimming pool like it was nobody’s business and collected a record eight gold medals as a result.

18. Greg Oden Drafted No. 1 in 2007

They say that size is the only thing that can’t be taught, and that’s the reason that Oden went ahead of Kevin Durant in the 2007 draft.

Despite a strong debate for Durant to edge Oden for the top spot, the Blazers (the same team that drafted Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan) gambled on Oden’s size and have paid dearly ever since.

To date, the big man has played in 82 career games over his first four professional seasons.

17. Tim Donaghy Betting Bonanza

Donaghy served as an official in the NBA from 1994-2007. In July of his final season, columnist Murray Weiss reported an FBI investigation into allegations of an unspecified referee betting on games to control the point spread.

It was later revealed that Donaghy, who was known to have a gambling problem, placed tens of thousands in bets on games during the period between 2005-07.

In exchange for his cooperation with the investigation, Donaghy received a single 15-month sentence before being released.

16. Syracuse vs. UConn Featuring Six Overtimes

In what many refer to as the most competitive college game of all time, the contest between Syracuse and UConn felt like it would never end.

Hasheem Thabeet’s Huskies battled Eric Devendorf’s Orangemen in a battle that lasted an incredible six overtimes.

The longest game in Big East history, Syracuse came out on top by the score of 127-117 and upset UConn.

15. Boise State vs. Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl

Boise State was underrated, under-appreciated and ticketed as supreme underdogs heading into the game against Oklahoma, but that didn’t bother them.

Coming off of an undefeated season, the Broncos scored late in the game with a hook and ladder play which sent the affair into overtime.

After giving up a touchdown to Oklahoma, Boise State rebounded to score one of their own and executed a successful Statue of Liberty two-point conversion from Ian Johnson, who went on to propose to his girlfriend and Bronco cheerleader on the field.

14. Endy Chavez Catch

The Mets may have come up a bit short in their efforts against St. Louis in Game 7 of the NLCS, but it wasn’t because of Endy Chavez.

Chavez’s unbelievable game-saving catch is one of the best plays in postseason history, as even he couldn’t believe that he didn’t have the ball in his glove.

13. Pete Rose Admits to Gambling

Rose admitted to gambling “every night” while he was manager of the Reds.

Said Rose, “I bet on my team every night. I didn’t bet on my team four nights a week. I was wrong.”

After accepting a lifetime ban in 1989 for gambling, Rose denied for nearly 15 years that he bet on the game but finally acknowledged in his 2004 autobiography that he indeed placed wagers on the game.

12. UConn Basketball Streak

The UConn Women’s basketball team won an unprecedented 90 straight contests before finally losing to Stanford.

There has not been a team that has been as dominant at the collegiate level in the female ranks.

The streak lasted from April 2008 through December 2010.

11. Tom Brady and the Tuck Rule

Some call this one the Snow Bowl, but it will forever be the Tuck Rule game to me.

A classic matchup between the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders, CB Charles Woodson sacked Q Tom Brady which seemed to cause a fumble, only to have the ruling reversed after a review that determined Brady’s arm was moving forward and thus was an incomplete pass.

The Patriots went on to win the game with less than a minute left in regulation by a mere three points, 16-13.

10. Brett Favre Fires for 399 Yards, 4 TD After Father Passes

In one of the most infamous Monday Night Football games ever, Brett Favre transcended the bounds of reality with an extraordinary performance.

Just one day after his father passes away, Favre traveled to Oakland and dropped 399 yards, four touchdowns and registered a ridiculous 154.9 quarterback rating.

9. Derek Jeters 3,000th Hit

Derek Jeter hasn’t been the same player that he once was, but he collected his 3,000th hit in grand style for the Yankees.

In front of his home crowd at Yankee Stadium, Jeter went 5-for-5 and went for a home run for No. 3,000 that saw the crowd erupt in a massive ovation for their captain.

8. New Orleans Saints Win Super Bowl Four Years After Hurricane Katrina

When the Saints came marching in to the building after Hurricane Katrina, the city needed them more than ever.

The team put together an unbelievable ride in 2009 and carried the momentum all the way to the Super Bowl, and their victory was one of the most iconic moments in league history.

The photo of Drew Brees holding his baby son up to the crowd in celebration is one of the best pictures that professional sports has to offer.

7. David Tyree Catches Ball Against Helmet

In what was otherwise a perfect season for the Patriots, David Tyree ruined their perceived destiny in a very big way.

The Giants never would have won the game had Tyree not been able to make the miraculous catch against his helmet, and it’s even more incredible when thinking about Tyree’s role throughout the season that year.

He played in 12 regular season games, registering four catches for 35 yards.

6. Kobe Bryant Drops 81

When Bryant took the floor against the Raptors that night, there was nothing that could stop him.

Kobe left the floor to a standing ovation and rightfully so as the performance that he delivered will be remembered as one of the most memorable ever in the league.

He shot 28-of-46 from the floor (including seven three-pointers), went 18-of-20 from the charity stripe and dropped 81 points in front of his home crowd.

5. Vince Young and Matt Leinart Battle at the Rose Bowl

The 2006 Rose Bowl between undefeated Texas and USC was one that will likely never be replicated by another two teams.

With USC ranked No. 1 and Texas No. 2, the Longhorns came from behind in the final quarter to beat the Trojans by the score of 41-38.

Matt Leinart threw for 365 yards and LenDale White had 124 yards to pair with three TD’s for the Trojans, while Texas got a dazzling performance from Vince Young, who registered 267 yards through the air and another 200 on the ground, including three rushing touchdowns.

4. Bonds Hits No. 756

Mike Bacsik isn’t particularly notable for his career statistics in the major leagues, but he was a big part of baseball history.

The pitcher served up Barry Bonds’ 756th career home run, giving the maligned slugger sole possession of the top spot on the all-time list.

Fashion icon Marc Ecko made the moment even more interesting by gaining possession of the ball and branding it with a large asterisk.

3. Red Sox Win 2004 World Series

When the Boston Red Sox finally won it all in 2004, it broke an 86-year-old curse that nobody thought would ever get broken.

The Sox had to come back from a 3-0 hole against the New York Yankees in order to advance to the World Series, and who could forget Doug Mientkiewicz’s antics in the aftermath with his refusal to part with the baseball?

2. Ron Artest Brawl at the Palace

One of the worst moments in professional sports history occurred when the infamous brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills went down.

Ron Artest and Ben Wallace engaged in a heated exchange on the court, and after several other players got into the midst of the activities, fans decided to throw foreign objects on the result to get into the action.

The result was not a good one, as Artest launched himself into the stands and went against the fans that were aiming for him, delivering a multitude of punches.

1. Tiger Woods Crashes Car into Fire Hydrant

The downfall of Tiger Woods’ public image was one that nobody really saw coming.

When it was reported Woods had been involved in a car crash on his street, the details that emerged following were disturbing.

Woods’ ex-wife accused of him “seeing” other women, and everything really went berserk from there.