Patriotic Sports Moments That Got Us Misty-Eyed

God bless the United States of America, guys, as she has given us the land of the free and proven that nothing beats the red, white and blue.

With it being the Fourth of July, this is the time of year where we all should sit back and appreciate why it's great to be an American—and sports is a good way to do just that.

As our favorite athletes, teams and games have done on more than a few occasions, here are the most patriotic sports moments that will leave you looking for some tissues, while making you stand up to show that Uncle Sam pride!

Brandi Chastain Loses Her Shirt

With a chance to win the 1999 Women's World Cup on American soil, the U.S. women's team found itself locked in a draw against China that would be decided by a do-or-die shootout.

As veteran midfielder Brandi Chastain stepped up for her attempt to end the match, she not only buried the shot and sent the entire country into a frenzy, but she was so caught up in the moment herself that she stripped and exposed her sports bra for the world to see.

One of the defining moments in U.S. soccer history, the image of Chastain celebrating a win for America will never fade away.

Cleveland Cavs Fans Sing National Anthem

One of the newest examples where sports fans can't help but be inspired occurred during the NBA Finals this year in the Cleveland Cavaliers' home arena, Quicken Loans Arena.

Even with a rematch with the Golden State Warriors looming, before all three games at The Q during the series Cleveland fans brought the entire country to tears by singing the national anthem, showing unity for America.

Guided by singer Jessica Ruiz, 20,000 hoops fans came together and honored our country in an amazing way.

John Brooks' Header Buries Ghana

It wasn't for a championship, but when U.S. men's soccer defender John Brooks buried a game-winning header against Ghana in the supposed "Group of Death" during the 2014 World Cup, every American paid attention—and then went wild!

After the U.S. held a lead for the first 82 minutes, Ghana equalized with about 10 minutes to play, causing many fans to believe a draw was all but certain.

Brooks wasn't having any of it, though, as his goal gave the Americans three critical points that helped the U.S. advance out of the group stage—and also copped some revenge for the loss the U.S. suffered to Ghana in the 2010 World Cup.

Kerri Strug Brings US Gymnastics Gold

Searching for its first ever team gold medal in women's gymnastics, when the 1996 Summer Olympics came to Atlanta, the U.S. team was looking to make history.

Who knew it would come down to the strength of a teenager's ankle, huh?

After suffering an injury on her first vault attempt, Kerri Strug knew that the weight of her nation was on her shoulders, as she hobbled her way back to the start for a second attempt.

Whether it was adrenaline, pure determination or both, Strug not only landed her trick off of the vault, but was able to stick the landing and complete the necessary pose for the judges, picking up the right amount of points for the U.S. to claim the gold.

Arguably, it's one of America's proudest Olympic moments.

Dan Jansen Finally Gets His Olympic Gold

Once the world sprint champion in speed skating in 1988, Dan Jansen was supposed to earn his first Winter Olympics gold medal during that year's Games.

Unfortunately, Jansen had found out just hours before one of his events that his sister had died from cancer, leaving him shaken and, understandably, not all there mentally to compete on the world's biggest stage.

Unable to win a medal in 1988, Jansen got revenge in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway, as he set a world record in the 1,000-meter event, skating around the track to dedicate the victory to his late sister as the crowd was brought to tears.

Landon Donovan Puts Away Algeria

This is one of those "Where Were You When..." moments in U.S. sporting history.

With the six-year anniversary actually just passing last month, fans still get choked up with emotion following U.S. men's soccer all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan's game-winner against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup.

As the Americans needed a victory to advance from the group stage into the knockout round, Donovan came through by booting a rebound into the back of the net, sending everyone in red, white and blue into a frenzy.

Coming in stoppage time only made this more dramatic.

Michael Phelps Is Record-Breaking Golden

While U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps recently just clinched his fifth berth in a Summer Olympics, it was his 2008 appearance that many American sports fans will never forget.

Sure, Phelps is, without a doubt, the most accomplished swimmer in the world, setting a record for the most medals in Olympic history—but who knows what might have happened had his American teammates not helped him earn his most impressive.

Looking to surpass former U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz's record of seven golds at a single Olympics, Phelps relied on his fellow 4x100-meter relay members to break the record, as they did so with a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over France.

Phelps' reaction tells the whole story.

Rulon Gardner Steals the Gold Medal in Underdog Fashion

There are underdog stories, then there's the most unbelievable underdog victory in U.S. wrestling history, as Rulon Gardner stunned the world during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Matched up against Russian Aleksandr Karelin—who was on an absurd 13-year undefeated streak—in the gold-medal match, Garner's odds of winning weren't very high, as he had never won a major title entering the Games that year.

Ignoring public perception and embracing the David vs. Goliath role, Gardner defeated Karelin and proudly waved the American flag following the victory.

It gives me chills watching it again.

Boston Strong Comes Together During National Anthem at Bruins Game

Following the devastating Boston Marathon bombings just a few days earlier, the #BostonStrong rallying cry was one that became a staple across the country, as everyone both sympathized and supported the city.

And if anyone needed further proof of the strength of both a nation and a town, look no further than this emotionally charged rendition of the national anthem by Boston Bruins fans prior to the team's first game back since the shocking incident.

Excuse me while I wipe tears, because this is incredible.

USA Hockey Upsets USSR

"Do you believe in miracles?" That was the questioned asked to an entire nation by legendary commentator Al Michaels, who, himself, seemed to get caught up in the emotion of the underdog U.S. men's hockey team defeating the mighty Soviet Union in 1980.

A ragtag group of college kids and pro league castoffs, the Americans weren't supposed to stand a chance against the USSR.

They more than just held their own.

Inspired by head coach Herb Brooks, U.S. captain Mike Eruzione netted the go-ahead goal with 10 minutes to play. The rest is history, as the red, white and blue pulled off one of the most remarkable upsets in sports history.

Funny thing is, this was only to get to the gold-medal game, as the U.S., eventually, defeated Finland to capture gold in its next game.

President George W. Bush Fires a Strike

With an entire nation watching his every move, then-President George W. Bush had the responsibility of showing terrorists and threats to the U.S. that we would be strong following the devastating and mindless acts of Sept. 11.

And Dubbya did so in fitting fashion.

No stage could have been better than Yankee Stadium, just six weeks after the attacks on the Twin Towers for Bush to make his statement, as he fired a first-pitch strike right down the middle of the plate before Game 3 of the World Series.

Bush walked to the mound with confidence and pride, and gave Americans something to cheer about that was much bigger than just a baseball game.