Michael Vick and the Most Stunning Sports Comebacks Ever
Michael Vick reintroduced himself to the world of the NFL on Sunday, coming in for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb, who was out with a concussion.ย
Vick headed had a fantastic game, throwing for 175 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 103 more.ย
Vick has widely been viewed as past his prime due in large part to the 21 months the former Pro Bowl quarterback spent in prison.ย
While Vick's return to prominence is shocking, where does it rank amongst the 20 most stunning comebacks ever? I'm talking about players who were out of their sport or presumed to be washed up, only to return to prominence. Let's count down the 20 most stunning comebacks ever.ย
20. MJ Returns...to the Wizards?!
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Why He Left:ย Old age. Jordan finished his second tour of duty in the NBA in 1998 and everyone assumed he would ride off into the sunset and the Hall of Fame.ย
Why He Came Back:ย Because he's Michael Jordan and he thought it would be fun.ย
Shock Value: 4. There had been rumblings that Jordan would try a comeback and when he, as part owner of the Wizards, made it happen, we were more perplexed than stunned.
How Did It Go?ย Jordan averaged 22.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.7 steals in his first year back and 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in his final year. So considering he was pushing 40 at the time, I'd say it went pretty well.ย
19. Mike Tyson Gets Out of Jail
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Why He Left:ย Jail. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of raping former Miss Black Rhode Island and sentenced to 2 years in prison.ย
Why He Came Back: Tyson was still in his prime when he got out of prison. It was assumed that the former heavyweight champ would try to regain his crown, which he did.
Shock Value: 4. Mostly because we were surprised anyone would give him a license to box.ย
How'd It Go?ย It was a tumultuous period for Tyson. He had numerous big bouts, including two fights against Evander Holyfield and one against Lennox Lewis. But Tyson lost all of those big fights and wasn't the force he'd been in years past.ย
18. Willis McGahee
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Why He Left:ย Injury. In the 2003 BCS Title game, McGahee, the Miami Hurricanes starting running back, took a shot directly on the knee from an Ohio State defensive player. The hit tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL and many wondered if he'd play in the NFL.
Why He Came Back:ย He decided he was physically able to withstand the rigors of NFL play and the Bills thought he was too, drafting him in the first round.ย
Shock Value: 4. Less that he came back and more because he was taken in the first round.ย
How'd It Go?ย McGahee has racked up 5,785 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns in his career. Not what he could have done if his knee hadn't been turned to spaghetti, but still a strong career.ย
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17. David Beckham
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Why He Left:ย Injury. A catastrophic knee injury saw the 34-year old Beckham's chance to make the English national team for a final time go up in smoke. His career was also in serious jeopardy given his age and the perception that he was closed to washed up before the injury.ย
Why He Came Back: To prove he could.ย
Shock Value: 4. Many Thought Becks was finished, but there were an equal number who suspected he would give it one final go.ย
How'd It Go?ย Results unknown. David hasn't been back more than a month, so the results aren't in yet.
16. Michael Vick
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Why He Left:ย Jail. Vick was sentened to 21 months prison time after being convicted of dog-fighting and other felony charges in 2007.
Why He Came Back:ย When he went to jail, Vick was just entering his peak as a player and still had a few years left in the tank.
Shock Value: 4. Less the comeback and more the return to prominence.ย
How'd It Go?ย For the first season, not well. Vick seldom played until Sunday, but when he took the field against Green Bay that weekend everything changed. Now? The real comeback starts.ย
15. Dave Cowens
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Why He Left:ย Cowens was one of the best players on the Celtics in 1975. In 1976, the team traded Paul Silas to Denver for Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe. Outraged, Cowens departed for 32 games.ย
Why He Came Back:ย He couldn't stay away for long. He loved the game too much.
Shock Value: 4. Most people assumed Cowens would sit for longer to prove his point to Celtics management.
How'd It Go? Cowens continued his consistent production from his return until his retirement before the 1981 season.
14. Kim Clijsters Returns to Tennis
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Why She Left:ย Clijsters wanted to start a family and to actually be around to be a part of it.ย
Why She Came Back:ย She felt like she could and that she still had more to prove.
Shock Value: 5. Everyone assumed she was finished.
How'd it Go?ย Shockingly well. Clijsters won the U.S. Open in 2009 and again in 2010, cementing her place as one of the all time greats.ย
13. Andre Agassi
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Why He Left:ย Agassi never retired from tennis, he just got really, really bad at it for a while. The former world number one found himself ranked 141st in 1997.ย
Why He Came Back:ย Agassi still had more to prove, and thanks to a new training regimen, climbed back into the ranks of tennis' elites.ย
Shock Value: 5. Many assumed Agassi was done after he hit rock bottom in 1997. No one expected the success he had late in his career.
How'd It Go?ย Post 1997, Agassi won 5 of his 8 grand slams. I'd say that's a successful comeback.ย
12. Ron Artest
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Why He Left:ย Insanity. It all began with the Detroit Pistons brawl when Artest was in Indiana. From there, he jumped the first train to crazy town, and was deemed a pariah in the locker room and a bad influence on a team.
Why He Came Back:ย Kobe. Kobe Bryant pulled Artest back from the edge of becoming another Mike Tyson.ย
Shock Value:ย 5.5. Artest was firmly on his way to crazy town.
How'd It Go? Considering that the Lakers trusted him to hit the game-winning shot in this year's Finals, I'd say pretty well.
11. Ted Williams Returns from War
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Why He Left:ย War. Twice. Williams enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and didn't return to baseball until 1946. He was recalled to fight in the Korean War in 1952 and missed part of that season and the 1953 season.
Why He Came Back: He loved baseball, plain and simple.ย
Shock Value:ย 5.5. Williams came back and hit exceptionally well after both of his tours of duty. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time despite missing five years in his prime.ย
How'd It Go? ย Well considering he's one of the greatest players in history, I'd say it went pretty well.ย
10. Saku Koivu Beats Cancer
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Why He Left:ย Cancer. Koivu, the Montreal Canadiens' captain, was diagnosed with cancer in late 2001. It was assumed he would be out for the season, if he came back at all.ย
Why He Came Back:ย Near the end of the regular season, Koivu found himself recovered. He wanted to be there for his team so he returned to the lineup.
Shock Value: 6. Coming back from cancer in less than a year is remarkable.ย
How'd It Go?ย Since his return, Koivu has amassed 421 points.ย
9. Jon Lester Beats Cancer Too
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Why He Left: Cancer.ย Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma in 2006.
Why He Came Back: Lester made his return to the Red Sox in July of 2007 as one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball.ย
Shock Value:ย 6.5. Cancer, particularly lymphoma, is a tough thing to overcome. Many though Lester was finished with baseball for good.ย
How'd It Go?ย Thus far this season, Lester has amassed a 17-8 record, with a 3.17 ERA. He's seen as an anchor of the Red Sox rotation for the next several years.ย
8. Tommy John
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Why He Left: Injury.ย John was a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 when he damaged the ulnar cruciate ligament in his pitching elbow. At the time, his career was assumed to be over.
Why He Came Back:ย John had a revolutionary new procedure to fix his arm. In 1976 he was deemed healthy enough to pitch again and returned to the Dodgers' mound.ย
Shock Value:ย 7. John's career was assumed to be over after the injury.
How'd It Go?ย John won 164 games after his surgery and pitched until 1989. Now Tommy John surgery is commonplace among MLB pitchers.ย
7. Vince Young
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Why He Left:ย After the first game of the 2008 season, Young left his home without a cell phone. He was reportedly hurt and upset after being booed in the team's season opener against Jacksonville. He was then benched for Kerry Collins and many wondered if the former first-round pick would ever see the field again.ย
Why He Came Back: Young's Titans were floundering to an 0-6 start under Collins in 2009. So coach Jeff Fisher put Young back in the game to try and jumpstart the offense.
Shock Factor:ย 7. Many assumed Young had used up his chances in Tennessee and his career was on the rocks.ย
How'd It Go?ย Since reclaiming the starting job from Collins, Young has gone 9-2 and his career is back on track.ย
6. Didier Drogba Plays With a Broken Arm
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Why He Left: Injury. Drogba broke his arm in the run up to the World Cup and was presumed lost for the tournament.ย
Why He Came Back: A doctor devised a splint to hold the Ivory Coast striker's arm in place and he was cleared to play.
Shock Factor:ย 8. People don't play in the World Cup with a broken bone. They just don't.ย
How'd it Go?ย Drogba played well in the tournament, but the Ivory Coast was sent home in the group stage.ย
5. Marion Jones, a Basketball Player?
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Why She Left:ย Jail. Jones, a former gold medal sprinter, was found guilty of doping, stripped of her medals, and sent to prison for perjury.ย
Why She Came Back:ย Jones had been a first round pick of the Phoenix Mercury in 2003, but opted to go run track instead. With that having dried up, she turned back to basketball, signing with the Tulsa Shock.ย
Shock Value:ย 8.5. When you read that she was back in the WNBA your reaction was close to "WHAT?!"ย
How'd it Go? Jones suited up for the Shock, but was seldom used during the 2010 season as a bench player.ย
4. Alex Zanardi
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Why He Left: Injury.ย Zanardi, a CART race car driver, had a catastrophic collision in 2001 that cost him both of his legs and ended his career.
Why He Came Back:ย Zanardi never lost his desire to race again and in 2003 was able to do just that with a specially designed race car.ย
Shock Value:ย 9. You don't just lose your legs and keep driving race cars.
How'd it Go?ย Zanardi found success in the FIA Touring Car Championship where he still races.ย
3. Stafon Johnson
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Why He Left:ย Injury. Johnson had a bench press bar fall on his throat and crush his larynx during the 2009 college football season. He was lucky to survive the incident and most said he would never play football again.
Why He Came Back:ย Johnson made a miraculous recovery and was eventually signed by the Tennessee Titans as a backup running back.
Shock Value:ย 9.5.ย
How'd it Go?ย Not well. Johnson blew out his knee in his first preseason game with the team.ย
2. Alonzo Mourning
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Why He Left:ย Kidney issues. Mourning was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and missed all of the 2002-03 season. He was dropped by the Miami Heat and his career was presumed over.
Why He Came Back:ย Mourning received a clean bill of health in 2004 and returned to the NBA with the New Jersey Nets.
Shock Value:ย 9.5. Mourning was retired and ready to start life after basketball.ย
How'd it Go?ย Well enough, all things considered. Mourning was never a star again, but was a valuable asset until his retirement in 2007.ย
1. Josh Hamilton
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Why He Left:ย Drugs. Hamilton, a former number one overall pick of the Tampa Bay Rays, was addicted to numerous drugs of the illegal and prescription varieties. He was washed out of baseball by 2004, just five years after being made the number one pick.ย
Why He Came Back:ย The Cubs selected Hamilton third in the 2007 Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Reds. When he got there, he had turned his life around and started a campaign to get his career back on track.
Shock Value: 10. Hamilton's goose was cooked, everyone had written him off as a colossal bust, a story to scare future prospects.ย
How'd it Go?ย Incredibly. Hamilton has blossomed into an elite outfielder in baseball and is a candidate to win the MVP in the AL this year with the Texas Rangers.ย
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