30 Luckiest and Unluckiest Moments in Sports

Nobody would argue that an athlete or an organization can build success on luck; however, talent, skill and good decision-making are the keys to success. Of course, a little luck never hurts...

Luck plays a huge part in all sports. There is a fine line between hero and zero, and a little luck can make the difference. 

Some of the most famous events (good and bad) in sports history were the products of freak accidents, miscommunications or colossal mistakes. 

Here are 30 of the luckiest and unluckiest moments in sports history. 

Luckiest First-Round QB: Green Bay Packers Draft Aaron Rodgers

After an impressive junior year at Cal, Aaron Rodgers was expected to be selected early in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft and was even discussed as a potential No. 1 pick overall.  

Rodgers, one of only six players invited to the NFL draft’s green room, ended up sliding all the way to the 24th spot. The second-to-last player of the green-room invitees was picked eighth overall, which left Rodgers alone so long that he eventually went backstage.  

It was painful to watch the Kansas City Chiefs pass over Rodgers at the 15th spot because it became clear that he’d fall no less than nine more spots. Then, receiver Torry Holt looked into his crystal ball and said: “Aaron Rodgers will have the luxury to go play for Brett Favre and Green Bay. That’s where he’s going.”

No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith had a great draft day and a bigger payday, but he was selected by a crumbling franchise, and his career is now all but over. In contrast, A-Rodge’s devastating draft-day dive turned out to be the luckiest day of his life.

Unluckiest QB Picked First Overall: Carson Palmer to the Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer’s impressive college career at USC was capped by a record-setting senior year that earned him the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the quarterback-killing Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, and after spending his rookie year backing up Jon Kitna, Palmer was named the 2004 starter.

His career peaked in 2005, when he carried the Bengals to their first winning season since 1990, but he suffered a brutal knee injury in a playoff loss to the Steelers that required major reconstructive surgery. Many believe his career never recovered.

After the knee injury, Palmer’s career had some ups but more downs, and after the 2010 season, he announced that he would not be returning to Cincinnati under any circumstances.  

Bengals owner Mike Brown, who is equal part moronic and malicious, dug in his heels and decided teaching Palmer a lesson was more valuable than the draft picks a trade would yield. 

Luckiest Goalie: Frank Pietrangelo

Retired goalie Frank Pietrangelo played seven seasons in the NHL, predominantly as a backup for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers. Under most circumstances, backup goalies come and go from the league with little fanfare, but Pietrangelo secured a permanent place in hockey history with an improbable, nearly impossible glove save in the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs; it is known simply as “The Save.”

His career-defining save is even more amazing considering the outside forces that nearly altered history, such as a substantial offer to play in Italy as the No. 1 goalie (as opposed to the second or third spot he occupied on the Penguins.)  

Pietrangelo’s Game 6 save staved off elimination for the Penguins, and they went on to win the organization’s first Stanley Cup.

Unluckiest Goalie: Clint Malarchuk

*Video is graphic*

Retired goalie Clint Malarchuk started for the Buffalo Sabres in 1989, when a freak accident with the business end of a hockey skate nearly killed him and contributed to his early retirement. The horrifying injury occurred when St. Louis Blues forward Steve Tuttle became entangled with a defender as he crashed the net, and his skate blade sliced Malarchuk’s neck, severing his carotid artery.  

The scene on the ice was so gruesome that, not only did a number of fans faint in the audience, but it also caused two heart attacks and triggered a number of players to vomit on the ice. Malarchuk narrowly avoided death, and his injury required over 300 stitches to close the wound.  

He returned to the ice within weeks, but his play steadily declined before he retired. He suffered from nightmares, battled alcoholism and, in 2008, attempted suicide.  

He’s since recovered physically and emotionally, and in June 2011, he was hired by the Calgary Flames to coach goalies.

Luckiest Poker Player: Gus Hansen

Gus Hansen is one of the most exciting professional poker players for fans of the game; he’s volatile, unpredictable and tends to win big or lose big.  

Some of the best players in the world have been victimized by the patented Hansen "suck out," and some take the frustrating loss better than others. It probably goes without saying that poker brat Phil Hellmuth takes particular exception to the seemingly erratic style favored by players like Hansen and nemesis Tom Dwan, but it’s more fun to actually say it.  

Hansen’s success isn’t entirely due to luck—you don’t win $7 million by accident. You also don’t win $7 million by routinely going all in with a pair of fives without some luck.

Unluckiest Poker Player: Jamie Gold

Bad luck and poker are synonymous; most people have to lose for anyone to win big, but that doesn’t mean all losses are created equal.

2006 WSOP Main Event winner Jamie Gold’s loss to Sam Farha in a $500,000 buy-in game on GSN was one of the most brutal beats ever televised. Gold was dealt pocket kings and instantly assumes he’s got the hand in the bag. Unfortunately for him, Farha was dealt aces and the ensuing scene at the table was pretty remarkable. 

Gold completely loses it, as the realization that Farha's got him beat sinks in, and he accepts it with the dignity and grace that he's famous for. 

Farha inexplicably pities Gold enough to check on the river rather than dragging him all in, despite the fact that Gold guaranteed a call on what he knew was a losing hand. 

It was disappointing to see a 30-year pro like Farha lay down to a relative newcomer, but Gold still took a massive hit and was dealt the unluckiest pair of pocket kings ever.

Luckiest Criminality: Marvin Harrison

In the late '90s, there was no shortage of loud-mouthed receivers who divided their time between hot-dogging in the end zone and screaming at their quarterbacks about how open they were. Colts receiver Marvin Harrison was pretty much the antithesis of guys like Terrell Owens and Keyshawn Johnson—a quiet, hardworking and modest guy who (apparently) drank juice and donated to charity.

Harrison let his numbers do the talking, and considering he’s second to only Jerry Rice in production, they spoke loudly. Well, you know it’s the quiet ones you’ve got to watch out for, and a 2010 profile in GQ paints a decidedly different picture of Harrison. 

Harrison’s life off the field was pretty much a mystery until April 2008, when the world finally got a peek into the secret world of the NFL’s best receiver.

He was implicated in the beating and shooting of Dwight Dixon on the streets of Philadelphia. Also struck by gunfire was bystander Robert Nixon, who, despite reservations, ultimately identified Harrison as the gunman. However in January 2009, the DA announced that no charges would be filed.  

In July, Dixon was shot again in broad daylight a half a block from a bar owned by Harrison and died from his injuries two months later. No arrests were ever made, but the lone publicly named suspect is Lonnie Harrison, Marvin’s cousin.

Unluckiest Criminality: Adam "Pacman" Jones

For years it has seemed that Pacman Jones can’t get out of bed without getting nabbed by the fuzz for something. Jones was already probation for a fight at WVU when he was drafted sixth overall by the Titans in 2005. He missed most of training camp due to a contract dispute, and the organization grew more concerned about several off-the-field incidents.

Their concern was not unfounded. In just under two years, he was arrested and/or charged with assault, felony vandalism, marijuana possession, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and felony obstruction of justice.

In 2007, after a night of "making it rain," Pacman upped the ante, becoming involved in an assault and double shooting at a Las Vegas strip club. He was a suspect but never charged—though that might have something to do with the $15,000 he doled out in hush money to the paralyzed victim.  

It would be sad and pointless to review his career after this incident, because it was just more of the same in different uniforms, with his most recent arrest coming in July 2011. 

Watching Marvin Harrison skate on charges related to murder and allegedly conduct a stint of under-the-radar criminality has really got to burn Pacman’s britches, as he gets popped for everything. 

Luckiest MLB Fan: Christian Lopez

Christian Lopez is the lucky Yankees fan who nabbed Derek Jeter’s 3,000th-hit ball and garnered national attention when he handed the ball over to Jeter.  

Some people called him a sucker, but Lopez didn’t even consider holding the ball ransom. He said a few signed balls and the opportunity to meet Jeter would be nice, but ultimately the ball wasn’t his to keep. He did get to meet Jeter, and the organization rewarded him with luxury box tickets and other memorabilia.  

When it was reported that Lopez was going to be saddled with a monster bill from the IRS, a number of outside companies impressed by his generosity immediately stepped in to help.

Lopez described the whole event as “awesome.” Awesome indeed. 

Unluckiest MLB Fan: Steve Bartman

Poor Steve Bartman of the infamous “Steve Bartman Incident.” His name will forever live in infamy amongst long-suffering Cubs fans.  

The year was 2003, the Cubs were playing the Marlins in the NLCS and held a 3-2 advantage in the series. It was the eighth inning of Game 6, and they were up 3-0 with the Marlins at bat and one out—then it happened.  

The Marlins’ Luis Castillo hit a foul ball to the left field corner wall that was deflected by fans, namely Steve Bartman, before Cubs left fielder Moisès Alou could make the catch.  

The Cubs would have been four outs from the World Series had Alou made the play; instead they gave up eight more runs in the game and nine more in Game 7. 

Bartman, who was escorted from the park by security, while being pelted with drinks and garbage, has maintained a low profile since the incident. Considering the death threats, this was probably a good strategy.  

The Cubs haven’t won a playoff game since the incident, and their extremely sane and rational fans have added another goat to their list of excuses. 

Luckiest Punter: A.J. Trapasso

Nobody cares about punters or punting unless they’re doing something wrong, which according to former receiver Nate Jackson (two career TDs, cut by Browns, Broncos, 49ers), includes speaking.  

Trapasso and Jackson actually had remarkably similar careers in the league, but in 2009, Trapasso’s fake punt, which he ran back 40 yards for a touchdown, became one of the only memorable plays in NFL preseason history that doesn’t involve a devastating injury.  

Two weeks later, he punted the ball into the HD screen at the new Cowboys Stadium and temporarily thrilled a nation, who thought Jerry Jones might have to replace part of his billion dollar masterpiece. 

Cue the strongly worded letter from Nate Jackson.

Unluckiest Punter: Matt Dodge

In December 2010, the division rival Giants and Eagles met with the playoffs on the line, and when the Giants took the lead with 14 seconds left in the game, punter Matt Dodge was told to do one thing: Do not kick the ball to DeSean Jackson.  

Dodge, determined to knock punters down to "idiot kicker" levels, contemplated the advice given to him by coach Tom Coughlin and everyone else on the sideline, and decided to go in another direction. He punted the ball right to Jackson who ran it back for a touchdown, as the Eagles went on to eliminate the Giants from playoff contention. 

Coughlin, who is never amused, was really not amused by Dodge’s botched boot. Former New York kicking pariah Jay Feely was probably pretty tickled, though. It was the perfect end to a perfect day for Giants fans. 

Luckiest Goal: David Volek

David Volek’s brief and unremarkable career in the NHL was…brief and unremarkable, save for one moment in one game, where he scored one goal that dashed the dreams of a dynasty in the making. In 1993, the Pittsburgh Penguins were coming off two successive Stanley Cup wins and were heavily favored against the New York Islanders going into the second round of the playoffs. 

The Isles had a bruising style of play and managed to drag out the series to seven games. Game 7 was dramatic, and after trading goals for 60 minutes, the game was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation; enter David Volek at 5:16 of the overtime period.  

The play as called by CBC Hockey Night in Canada: “Samuelsson pass off a skate. Volek turns with Ferraro. Here they come, 2-on-1; Volek shoots, SCORES!!! David Volek, Islanders! And there’ll be a new Stanley Cup Champion in 1993!”

The goal was more the result of soft goaltending than heroics by Volek—not that it mattered. His place in history (reviled by Pens fans, and regaled by Pens haters) was cemented. Volek retired the next season due to injury, and the Islanders haven’t won a playoff series since, but they still have that win.

Unluckiest Goal: Steve Smith

Sure, the David Volek goal was tough to swallow for Penguins fans, but it could have been worse...much worse.

In 1986 the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames met in Game 7 of the Smythe Division Finals. The game was tied until the third period, when Oilers defenseman Steve Smith scored (what would be) the game- (and series-) clinching goal...in his own net...on his birthday. Ouch. 

Smith was devastated, but the Oilers won five Stanley Cups in seven seasons, which is probably why people didn’t throw garbage on his lawn.  

Smith put it behind him and had a long and successful career in the NHL. Still, he can’t help but remember the event every April 30th, when he’s blowing out candles on his birthday.  

Luckiest in Love: Joe DiMaggio

Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio is one of the best to ever play the game, obviously.  

He was not, however, the best-looking guy in the room, and his wedding to actress (and legendary sex symbol) Marilyn Monroe probably surprised (and continues to surprise) the more superficial segment of the population. 

Their marriage was turbulent, and Monroe filed for divorce within a year of the wedding, but the two remained close and were considering remarriage at the time of her death in 1962. 

Unluckiest in Love: Chuck Finley

When former MLB pitcher Chuck Finley married Tawny Kitaen in 1997, he was living the dream of every straight guy old enough to remember the Whitesnake videos of the 1980s.  

Kitaen’s video-vixen ways were legendary (examples: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3), but Finley’s dream girl became a nightmare in 2002, when she was arrested for domestic violence after kicking him in the head while rocking a pair of stilettos.

He filed for divorce within days of the incident and things got messy. His career survived (but not his sense of humor)—Kitaen’s did not.  

Luckiest NFL Catch No. 1: David Tyree

In 2008 the Giants became America’s team, when their unlikely run to Super Bowl XLII pitted them against the Patriots just months after the Spygate story broke.  

The Patriots were heavily favored to win the game (just ask their trademark attorney), but the Giants showed up anyway, and Eli Manning proved that a sibling inferiority complex trumps infinite arrogance. Giants receiver David Tyree was the unlikely hero of the unlikely win, and his heroics nearly overshadowed the younger Manning. 

Essentially his career began and ended on that day, but his catch was one of the greatest (and luckiest) plays in Super Bowl history. 

Unluckiest NFL Drop No. 1: Asante Samuel

Speaking of David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII, Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel gets the assist for dropping what would have been the game-clinching interception just seconds before. It was a pretty shocking drop, considering he doesn’t think tackling is a corner’s responsibility; so what is he getting paid for?

Maybe Samuel should have been the Giants MVP. Just kidding, Eli!!  

(Not really kidding)

Luckiest NFL Catch No. 2: Franco Harris

There is a plethora of reasons that explain why fans of the downtrodden Raiders are the bitter, belligerent lunatics we know today. Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” in 1972 was just the beginning of an ever-growing conspiracy against them.  

A little residual anger is warranted, considering the catch, which instant replay would have overturned, has a moniker associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. The catch made Harris a sports legend and was the catalyst for the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s. 

Harris still gets hassled by former Raiders who want to argue about the Immaculate Reception, but he seems to enjoy antagonizing them, so it all worked out. 

Unluckiest NFL Catch No. 2: Jackie Smith

Tight end Jackie Smith played 16 of his 17 seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals before signing with the Cowboys in 1978. Smith was known as a blocker, and he didn’t catch a single pass during the entire regular season. Still, the Cowboys put the game in his hands in Super Bowl XIII, and his third-quarter drop in the end zone forced them to kick a field goal.

The Cowboys lost to the Steelers by four points, and Smith retired before the start of the next season. 

Luckiest Moment in Baseball: Babe Ruth Calls His Shot?

Did Babe Ruth call his shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Cubs by pointing to the outfield, or was he simply pointing at Cubs pitcher Charlie Root? 

Only one article written on the day of the game mentioned Ruth pointing to center field, and that was by a reporter named Joe Williams. But Williams never referred to it as Ruth calling his shot.

Several days later, as more and more writers read Williams’ story, they began writing that Ruth had called his shot. The story had taken on a life of its own.

Ruth never claimed he called the shot. He may have even denied it on his death bed, but it doesn’t matter at this point; it’s more about the legend than the actual event. His legacy is forever defined by that moment, and a little more magic is not a bad thing.

Unluckiest Moment in Baseball: Bill Buckner's Error

In 1986 the Boston Red Sox were in the World Series and on the verge of finally exorcising the demons that had haunted the city since Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees. 

The Sox faced the Mets and held a 3-2 advantage in the series going into a dramatic Game 6, which went into extra innings. That’s when the story takes another unfortunate turn for the Sox, and especially for Bill Buckner. 

The Mets were at bat with two outs, and the winning run at second base. Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball straight to (through) Buckner. It was a play that he would have made 99 percent of the time, but the error cost the Sox the game, and they went on to lose Game 7.

Sox fans did not take it well, and they were not kind to Buckner in the years that followed.

Luckiest NHL Draft: Bruins Draft Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic was selected 50th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL entry draft. The Bruins, who had passed on Lucic for their 37th pick, didn’t expect the talented left winger to be available at 50. They recognized their good fortune and snapped him up. 

Lucic signed with the Bruins in 2007 and unexpectedly made the opening roster after training camp. He has proved to be a capable scorer; his 151 points are the highest of any winger drafted in 2006, and his size and strength are a perfect fit for the physical style of hockey favored by the Bruins. 

His solid performance in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs was a huge contributing factor in the Bruins' upset of the Canucks.   

The Canucks probably regret passing up this hometown guy in the draft. 

Unluckiest NHL Draft: Senators Draft Alexandre Daigle

It doesn’t get much more unlucky for a franchise than when a can’t-miss prospect misses; particularly when he’s selected No. 1 overall. In 1993 the Ottawa Senators were abysmal, even downright embarrassing, so the team set its sights on drafting Alexandre Daigle to turn the beleaguered franchise around. 

The Senators were actually accused of throwing games late in the season to secure the No. 1 pick, although a league investigation turned up no evidence. They turned down trade offers for the pick and eventually got their man, paying him the largest starting salary in league history.

Be careful what you wish for. 

Daigle turned out to be the Ryan Leaf (or JaMarcus Russell) of NHL draft busts. He was mediocre at best in his first two seasons and played with the enthusiasm of a child being forced to go to the dentist.

By 1999, Daigle’s career was essentially over, and during an interview with Radio-Canada, he confessed that he never wanted to play hockey but tried to stick with it because of his talent. The Senators, who passed up future superstars Paul Kariya and Chris Pronger to draft Daigle, really wish he shared that little tidbit with them in 1993.

Unluckiest NBA Shot: Patrick Ewing's Game 7 Miss

Patrick Ewing is one of the all-time greats, and his career doesn’t have too many low points, but it does have at least one. 

In 1995, the New York Knicks met their bitter rivals, the Indiana Pacers, in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight year. The series was hard fought, dragging on a full seven games. Game 7 came down to the wire, but with 1.8 seconds on the clock, and the Knicks down two, they had the ball right where they wanted it: in the hands of superstar Patrick Ewing.

Ewing drove in for the game-tying layup and...missed, giving the Pacers their first series win against the Knicks. 

Luckiest NBA Shot: LeBron James' Playoff Buzzer-Beater

Remember just a few short years ago when LeBron James was still the next Michael Jordan? LJ’s game-winning buzzer-beater versus the Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference finals even supplanted MJ’s three-pointer against the Cavaliers as the best in Cleveland sports history.

It was equal parts luck and skill and is a nice reminder of the gamer LeBron was before he traded it to become the second-best player for the Miami Heat.

Luckiest Soccer Goal Ever: Berian Gobeil

How is this lucky? Let me explain.

In third grade, I was constantly taunted by a boy in my class. He was a sadistic jerk who preferred picking on girls because...he was a psychopath? 

After a few months of taking it on the chin, my mood shifted from non-confrontational to belligerent, and as he approached me and my girls on the playground, I knew it was time to take a stand. Before he could get out a full sentence, I punched him square in the face. Before he knew what hit him, I backed up, got a running start and pushed him so hard he tripped and fell down a hill. 

Everyone cheered.

If it happened today, the whole incident would get at least a million views on YouTube. Man, that would have been cool. However, during my childhood, a "camera phone" would have entailed strapping this to this.

With the game on the line, and a goalie doing cartwheels in the net, Berian Gobeil refused to take it on the chin. He booted the ball into the net, won the game and celebrated like the soccer god he was for that one moment in time. Millions of people around the world celebrated with him.

Unluckiest Soccer Moment: Qatar's Double Miss

Qatar's Fahad Khalfan probably couldn't believe his luck when Uzbekistan's goalkeeper, Timur Juraev, inexplicably hit the deck, leaving nothing but wide-open space between him and the goal. Khalfan dodged the goalie and careened toward the net with visions of soccer glory dancing in his head. 

He was practically in the net when he took a shot that struck...the...post.

At least he'll always have those few seconds before his dream became a nightmare.

Luckiest NFL Arrogance: Joe Namath's Guarantee

Today there aren't many players in the NFL willing to go out on a limb and guarantee a victory. In the 24/7 media age, it's all risk and no reward. The best-case scenario is that your team wins, and you're not forever known as the idiot who guaranteed victory and then lost. 

Worst-case scenario is you're former Steelers safety Anthony Smith, who will forever be known as the idiot who guaranteed victory over the undefeated Patriots and then lost—getting burned by Tom Brady in spectacular fashion. 

Either way, the whole display is just a lame facsimile of the original: Joe Namath and his guarantee.

During an era dominated by stoic quarterbacks who led quietly and had hair you could set your watch to, Namath brought a kind of swagger that could have killed his career...if he didn't back it up.

Three days before the 1969 World Championship Game, Namath yelled back at a heckler, "We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it." The Jets beat the favored Colts 16-7 and Namath was named the MVP.

He took a big risk and probably never imagined it would pay such dividends. 

Unluckiest NFL Arrogance: Patriots Trademark 19-0

The undefeated Patriots had good reason to be confident heading into Super Bowl XLII to face the Giants.  Having won three of the last five Super Bowls, they were no strangers to the world's biggest stage. 

The Pats officially crossed the line from cool and confident, to unabashedly arrogant when it was reported that the organization had applied for trademarks on "19-0" and "19-0 The Perfect Season"...three days before they beat the Chargers in the AFC championship.

Maybe it's just good business to apply early for trademarks, but the Patriots lost the game and haven't been back to the Super Bowl since, which probably isn't a coincidence.