50 Sports Pics That Will Blow Your Mind
A sports photograph taken at just the right time isn't enough to paint an entire picture of a given event, but it can tell a story all on its own.
The story told by a single photograph is often as powerful as seeing an entire event in live action—and even more so on many occasions.
Here are 50 sports pics that will blow your mind.
Larry Fitzgerald
1 of 50
Date: Oct. 4, 2012
Event: Cardinals vs. Rams
Not only can Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catch almost anything you throw at him, he can also run for extra yards with a six-pack of defenders hanging off him.
LeBron James
2 of 50
Date: Nov. 1, 2013
Event: Heat vs. Nets
Heat superstar LeBron James attempts to score against the Nets in a scene that looks straight out of a video game—especially from that angle.
Nastia Liukin
3 of 50
Date: July 7, 2012
Event: U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Although she wouldn't make it back to the Olympics in 2012, former gold medalist Nastia Liukin still wowed at trials.
Marcus Mariota
4 of 50
Date: Oct. 6, 2012
Event: Washington vs. Oregon
As he is prone to do, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota skillfully avoids a Washington defender and is able to maneuver for positive yards.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
5 of 50
Date: Sept. 14, 2013
Event: Mayweather vs. Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez lands one of just a handful of blows on Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their recent bout. Mayweather won by majority decision; though, it should've been unanimous.
Anthony Davis
6 of 50
Date: Oct. 7, 2013
Event: Mavericks vs. Pelicans
Former Kentucky standout Anthony Davis freezes the Mavs defense—if you can even call that defense—with an impressive dunk during the Pelicans' preseason.
Tony Hawk
7 of 50
Date: Feb. 5, 2011
Event: Laureus World Sports Awards Previews
Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk demonstrates the sandboarding experience at the World Sports Awards Previews.
Troy Polamalu
8 of 50
Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Event: Steelers vs. Colts, AFC Divisional Playoffs
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, in his prime, absolutely demolishes Colts tight end Bryan Fletcher on a play in the 2006 playoffs.
Michael Phelps
9 of 50
Date: Aug. 3, 2012
Event: London Olympics Day 7, Swimming
With over a dozen Olympic medals to his name, American swimmer Michael Phelps demonstrates perfect form in the pool.
Rory McIlroy
10 of 50
Date: Dec. 12, 2011
Event: PGA Event in Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy practices his drive on the glorious multi-purpose helipad on Jumeirah Burj Al Arab.
Ravens Cheerleaders
11 of 50
Date: Feb. 2, 2013
Event: Ravens vs. 49ers, Super Bowl XLVII
The Ravens cheerleaders performing during the infamous Super Bowl blackout. The cheerleaders were the only athletes who could perform for nearly an hour.
Rajion Neal
12 of 50
Date: Oct. 26, 2013
Event: Alabama vs. Tennessee
Tennessee running back Rajion Neal is engulfed by Alabama defenders while trying to advance the ball. That has to be his least favorite kind of sandwich.
Ty Dillon
13 of 50
Date: Nov. 16, 2012
Event: Ford EcoBoost 200
NASCAR driver Ty Dillon leaves an impressive trail of sparks behind him after an on-track collision hobbles his car.
Cristiano Ronaldo
14 of 50
Date: Oct. 23, 2013
Event: Real Madrid CF vs. Juventus, UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo performs a trick and surely entertains the crowd, during pregame warm-ups.
David Tyree
15 of 50
Date: Feb. 3, 2008
Event: Giants vs. Patriots, Super Bowl XLII
Anyone who watched this game will immediately recognize this moment. With time winding down in the game, Giants wide receiver David Tyree makes an unforgettable catch, allowing his team to maintain possession and ultimately win the game.
Mario Balotelli
16 of 50
Date: May 19, 2013
Event: AC Siena vs. AC Milan
In Serie A action, AC Milan's Mario Balotelli is captured in (what looks to be) mid-bicycle kick.
Buster Posey and Prince Fielder
17 of 50
Date: Oct. 25, 2012
Event: Giants vs. Tigers, World Series Game 2
Giants catcher Buster Posey attempts to tag hefty Tigers slugger Prince Fielder out as he slides into home plate.
Dwight Howard
18 of 50
Date: Nov. 2, 2013
Event: Rockets vs. Jazz
It's hard to believe Rockets big man Dwight Howard is heading toward the net and not falling backward in that photo. That trajectory defies physics.
Darya Klishina
19 of 50
Date: Aug. 11, 2013
Event: IAAF World Championships in Moscow
Russian long jumper Darya Klishina is captured mid-jump at the point of complete extension. Much like her, it's a thing of beauty.
Shaun White
20 of 50
Date: Feb. 2, 2009
Event: Alli Dew Tour, Day 1
Snowboarder Shaun White gets some serious air and survives to tell the tale.
Derek Jeter
21 of 50
Date: Oct. 13, 2012
Event: Yankees vs. Tigers, ALCS Game 1
Yankees captain Derek Jeter is photographed at the exact moment when he broke his ankle fielding a grounder against the Tigers in the 2012 ALCS. You can almost feel his pain.
Kelly Slater
22 of 50
Date: March 14, 2010
Event: Bondi Beach Boost Surfsho, Day 3
Surfer Kelly Slater looks as though he's been shot out of the waves by a cannon. Hopefully, he had a better landing than it looks like he's heading for.
Kobe Bryant
23 of 50
Date: March 27, 2013
Event: Lakers vs. Timberwolves
Lakers legend Kobe Bryant goes up for the dunk, and all the Timberwolves can do is stand by and watch the master at work.
Craig Anderson
24 of 50
Date: May 17, 2013
Event: Senators vs. Penguins, Eastern Conference Semifinals
A goal by Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby sails past Senators goalie Craig Anderson.
Torii Hunter
25 of 50
Date: Oct. 13, 2013
Event: Red Sox vs. Tigers, ALCS Game 2
All that's visible of Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter are his feet, after attempting to catch a grand slam ball by Red Sox slugger David Ortiz late in Game 2 of the ALCS.
Sidney Crosby
26 of 50
Date: Oct. 13, 2007
Event: Maple Leafs vs. Penguins
Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby knows how to put himself in precise position to score a goal. You can see the puck in the far right of the photo, heading right for his stick.
Alex Morgan
27 of 50
Date: Aug. 8, 2012
Event: USA vs. Japan, London Olympics Day 10
American soccer star Alex Morgan cuts through Japanese defenders en route to scoring the game-winning goal in the gold medal match at the London Olympics.
Calvin Johnson
28 of 50
Date: Nov. 22, 2012
Event: Texans vs. Lions
Lions superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson jumps up awkwardly, attempting to catch a pass against the Texans, and of course, he comes down with the ball.
You can't see it here, but I promise it's the next photo in the series.
LeBron James and Norris Cole
29 of 50
Date: March 18, 2013
Event: Heat vs. Celtics
The Heat's Norris Cole sets up teammate LeBron James for a monster alley-oop against the Celtics' Jason Terry, who didn't know what hit him. The photo is great. The video is greater.
Tom Brady
30 of 50
Date: Jan. 20, 2013
Event: AFC Championship
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sits on his home field after being knocked down against the Ravens, who would go on to beat them. This angle is called "defeat-o-vision."
Lindsey Vonn
31 of 50
Date: March 5, 2011
Event: Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn competes in the Women's downhill, captured in mid-air during a portion of the course.
Lionel Messi
32 of 50
Date: Nov. 11, 2012
Event: RCD Mallorca vs. FC Barcelona
Barcelona's Lionel Messi shows off his track-and-field skills by hurdling a Mallorca defender.
Danica Patrick
33 of 50
Date: Nov. 11, 2012
Event: AdvoCare 500
Danica Patrick's car catches fire after a collision at the AdvocCare 500. There's something very Back to the Future about the scene.
Connor Shaw
34 of 50
Date: Oct. 6, 2012
Event: Georgia vs. South Carolina
South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw has been taking hits and getting brutally tackled like this for years, but somehow, he keeps getting up and throwing touchdowns.
Roger Federer
35 of 50
Date: Nov. 1, 2013
Event: BNP Paribas Masters, Day 5
Having been over a year since tennis great Roger Federer last won a Grand Slam, it's clear the 32-year-old is now in the twilight of his career. Which makes this photo a bit more poignant.
Dustin Pedroia
36 of 50
Date: Oct. 30, 2013
Event: Red Sox vs. Cardinals, World Series Game 6
Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia gets enough juice on this hit in the World Series to crush his bat.
Ray Lewis
37 of 50
Date: Feb. 2, 2013
Event: Ravens vs. 49ers, Super Bowl XLVII
The final page in the final chapter of Ray Lewis' career with the Ravens. It couldn't have ended any better if he had written the story all by himself.
Ryan Sheckler
38 of 50
Date: Aug. 2, 2013
Event: X Games Los Angeles, Day 2
Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler competes at the 2013 X Games in Los Angeles with the city skyline as his backdrop.
Henrik Lundqvist
39 of 50
Date: May 23, 2013
Event: Bruins vs. Rangers, Eastern Conference Semifinals
Rangers Vezina-winning goaltender Henrik Lundqvist drops down into an incredibly uncomfortable looking position to make a save in Game 4.
Blake Griffin
40 of 50
Date: Nov. 1, 2013
Event: Kings vs. Clippers
The Clippers' Blake Griffin is a human highlight reel—nearly every one of his photos looks like there should be a trampoline just out of the frame.
Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina
41 of 50
Date: Oct. 23, 2013
Event: Red Sox vs. Cardinals, World Series Game 1
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright waves everyone off to field a pop-up, before allowing the ball to fall to the ground between him and catcher Yadier Molina.
McKayla Maroney
42 of 50
Date: July 1, 2012
Event: U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Unimpressed Olympic sweetheart McKayla Maroney practices on the beam at trials—multiple exposures from the same move were combined to produce the effect on this image.
J.J. Watt
43 of 50
Date: Oct. 6, 2013
Event: Texans vs. 49ers
Only Texans defensive end J.J. Watt could make spitting out some water look this majestic.
Joakim Noah
44 of 50
Date: July 1, 2013
Event: China vs. NBA Stars, Yao Foundation Charity Game
Bulls star Joakim Noah post-dunk at an all-star charity game in China—in the most awkward position humanly possible. It looks like he's birthing that basketball.
Manny Pacquiao
45 of 50
Date: Dec. 8, 2012
Event: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
Pacquiao goes down hard against opponent Marquez. It's surprising he even got back up after that one.
Supercross
46 of 50
Date: Oct. 22, 2011
Event: Australasian Supercross Championships
A supercross rider is captured in the same frame as a rainbow, which is an eye-catching juxtaposition against the bike.
Cam McDaniel
47 of 50
Date: Oct. 19, 2013
Event: USC vs. Notre Dame
After getting his helmet ripped off, Notre Dame running back Cam McDaniel looks impossibly handsome while being tackled by USC defenders.
Tiger Woods
48 of 50
Date: Nov. 5, 2013
Event: PGA Event in Turkey
Golf great Tiger Woods drives from Asia to Europe from a platform set up on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, one of several events he's earning $3 million in appearance fees for during the Turkish Airlines Open.
Adrian Peterson
49 of 50
Date: Nov. 3, 2013
Event: Cowboys vs. Vikings
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson brings everyone on the field at Cowboys Stadium with him across the goal line and scores a touchdown.
Usain Bolt
50 of 50
Date: Aug. 11, 2013
Event: IAAF World Athletic Championships in Moscow
Has there ever been a more perfectly timed photo in sports than Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt reclaiming the 100-meter title in Moscow as a lighting bolt crashed in the background?
**Speaking of awesome, it would be that if you followed me on Twitter: Follow @blamberr
.png?w=600 "Who Will Panthers Take at No. 9 ? 🤔")
