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The Greatest Headlines in ESPN History

On September 7, 1979, in front of a small live audience, ESPN launched a live taping of the first show to grace the now-famous network. Few knew how big this little show would get or how iconic the show’s name would become. Lee Leonard opened the show ‘Sportscenter’ with a now-classic opening quote: “If you're a fan, what you will see in the next minutes, hours, and days to follow may convince you that you've gone to sports heaven.” With those simple words, a new and exciting era in sports and sports journalism was launched.

We've now just passed the 40th anniversary of ESPN—and what a 40 years it’s been! The following stories are the most famous headlines in the history of the network. They helped to shape what ESPN is today, and frankly, many of them helped shape the world as we know it. That being said, sit back, relax, and let the memories flow.

Tyson Disqualified After Biting Holyfield's Ear

Tyson Disqualified After Biting Holyfield's Ear

After being headbutted multiple times by Holyfield, Tyson shocked the world in the third round of the bout… In an absurdly gruesome gesture, he spit out his mouthguard while in a clinch with Holyfield and bit off a piece of his ear! Later on when the fight resumed he did it again and the fight was ended as violence ensued in the arena and in the crowd. Holyfield was sent to the hospital and Tyson was disqualified.

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Harding's Associates Attack Kerrigan

Harding's Associates Attack Kerrigan

January 6, 1994 is a day that would go down in Winter Olympic infamy. Trials for the US Olympic teams were being held in Detroit, and Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding were both vying for the same spot. Little did Kerrigan know, a plan hatched by Harding and her team would leave her cripple after an accomplice struck Kerrigan in the knee with a police baton. Harding is later disqualified, fined $110,000, and put on 3 years probation.

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Douglas Knocks Out Tyson, Shocks World

Douglas Knocks Out Tyson, Shocks World

After winning 37 straight fights, 33 by KO, Mike Tyson was the surest bet in sports. In fact, he had never been knocked to the floor, and by all appearances, he was invincible. However, in February of 1990, Tyson would meet his match, and the world would be stunned when James Douglass knocked out Tyson in what is likely the greatest in sports history.

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Montana-to-Taylor Caps Super Bowl-Winning Drive

Montana-to-Taylor Caps Super Bowl-Winning Drive

Down 16-13 in Super Bowl XXIII with 3:10 left on the clock, Montana excitedly took the field and proceeded to make one of the greatest drives in Superbowl history. After solid gains with Craig and a few massive yardage plays to Rice, Montana set poised to win it all on the Bengals 10 yard line with 38 seconds left to play. After a timeout, Montana again took the field and proceeded to drill the then catchless Taylor, with a perfect bullet pass in the back of the end zone to walk off with the win.

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World Series Halted by Bay Area Earthquake

World Series Halted by Bay Area Earthquake

The scene is game 3 of the 1989 world series. The Oakland A’s are facing off against the Giants in San Francisco. 63,000 people fill the stands and right before the first pitch, the stadium starts to shake… Everyone later learns a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Bay Area and the game, despite being postponed, had saved many lives. Residents who normally would’ve been stuck on the collapsed freeway were kept safe and sound in the stadium.

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Tom Watson Holes in Birdie Chip at U.S. Open

Tom Watson Holes in Birdie Chip at U.S. Open

Before 1982, Tom Watson had never won a U.S. Open. Despite his fame in the golf world, even Watson admitted that his career seemed incomplete. That all changed when he managed to place the ball in the rough, 16 feet away from the pin on hole 17. Watson proceeds to drain it, and with a birdie on the final hole, he secured a two stroke lead to win it all. As he walked off the 18th hole, Jack Niklaus was there with a grin to congratulate hm.

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Jordan's Jumper Secures 6th NBA Title

Jordan's Jumper Secures 6th NBA Title

Everyone knows the classic image of Jordan’s final shot as a Chicago Bull. He dropped Russell with a killer crossover and rose up as the final seconds ticked off the clock. In perfect Jordan form, it was nothing but net, and one of the most iconic images in sports history was taken as he released the ball.

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Armstrong Wins First Tour de France

Armstrong Wins First Tour de France

Despite Lance’s career being tarnished, his story is one of the most incredible miracles in sporting history. Lance overcame cancer and a 50% chance of living to win. Not only that, but he was told by doctors at 25 that he would never ride again. Despite the odds, he managed to win the 2,290 mile race in 1999 and his continuous winning secures him a place as one of the greatest in the sport.

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Villanova Shocks Georgetown to Win Hoops Title

Villanova Shocks Georgetown to Win Hoops Title

The Patrick Ewing led Georgetown squad appeared to be invincible in 1985, but March Madness always has a way of humbling the mighty. Villanova wasn’t even ranked in the top 20 when they entered the tournament and in one shining moment, this underdog managed to pull of a 66-64 of the Georgetown Hoyas.

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NLCS Turns When Fan Interferes With Foul Ball

NLCS Turns When Fan Interferes With Foul Ball

Up 3-0 in the inning, Mark Prior seemed poised to pitch a complete game win, and the Cubs would top the Marlins to head to the World Series. In a 3-2 count, Louis Castillo hit a fly ball into foul territory and first baseman Alou had a clear shot to catch it, until a hand shot up out of the club and knocked his glove… Alou through his glove down and cursed, and he likely would’ve been even madder if he knew the Marlins were about to put up 8 straight runs...

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Nicklaus Birdies 17, Wins Masters at 46

Nicklaus Birdies 17, Wins Masters at 46

After not winning a major for more than six years, Niklaus shocked the world in 1986 when he took the Masters title. This moment cemented his legendary status even further.

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Adam Vinatieri's Kick Wins Super Bowl for Patriots

Adam Vinatieri's Kick Wins Super Bowl for Patriots

With 1:30 left in Super Bowl XXXVI, Kurt Warner ties the game with a beautiful touchdown drive. Belichik decides to risk a quick drive with young Tom Brady at the helm, and the young QB successfully makes it down to the St. Louis 30 yard line, and Vinatieri proceeds to down the Rams with a beautiful kick as time expires.

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Cal's Five-Lateral Kickoff Return Shocks Stanford

Cal's Five-Lateral Kickoff Return Shocks Stanford

In 1982, the University of California-Berkeley managed to pull off one of the most improbable plays in college football history. After a John Elway led Stanford field goal drive, Cal trailed by 1 with 4 seconds left on the clock… Despite the odds, they managed to lateral it into the opposing end-zone for a 25-20 win.

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Laettner's Buzzer-beater Sinks Kentucky

Laettner's Buzzer-beater Sinks Kentucky

In a legendary moment that solidified Laettner’s infamy in Kentucky basketball history, the Duke star finished one of the more difficult plays in college basketball history. Standing on the opposing free throw line, he received the full court and drained the turn-around jumper at the buzzer. Duke advanced to the Final Four and Kentucky left with hearts broken.

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Bonds Hits No. 71 to Set Single-Season HR Record

Bonds Hits No. 71 to Set Single-Season HR Record

Despite a PED tarnished career, there is no doubt that Bonds is the greatest hitter to ever play the game. In 2001, Bonds solidified that legacy with his season, taking Park deep for a record breaking 71st homer.

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N.C. State Dunks Houston in NCAA Final

N.C. State Dunks Houston in NCAA Final

In 1983 N.C. State did the unthinkable. There was little doubt that the Drexler/Olajuwon led Houston Cougars would win it all, but N.C. State had other plans as Lorenzo Charles putback a desperation 3 with a ferocious dunk to seal the deal at the buzzer.

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Montana Hits Clark to Win NFC Championship

Montana Hits Clark to Win NFC Championship

There are many iconic moments in Joe Montana’s legendary career, but this game winner to the 6’4” Clark is among the greatest. The 49ers dashed the Cowboys Superbowl hopes in a 28-27 win at the buzzer.

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Ripken Tops Gehrig, Takes 12-Minute Lap Around Camden Yards

Ripken Tops Gehrig, Takes 12-Minute Lap Around Camden Yards

Nobody thought that Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record would ever be broken, but in 1995, that would all change. Cal Ripken played in his 2,131st consecutive game, and after it was made official in the 5th inning, Baltimore celebrated the incredible accomplishment like they had won the World Series.

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Pete Rose Becomes All-time Hits Leader

Pete Rose Becomes All-time Hits Leader

It seems like every record in baseball is tarnished in some way, but Pete’s gambling history should have no impact on his greatness as a player. In 1985 he came through with his record breaking 4,192nd hit and solidified his place as one of the greatest to ever do it.

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O.J. Simpson Found Not Guilty of Murder

O.J. Simpson Found Not Guilty of Murder

Despite footprint and DNA evidence, O.J. shocked the world when he was declared innocent of the murder of his wife and her friend… Why? Of course because the bloody gloves found at the scene didn’t fit.

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O.J. Simpson drives around in white Bronco

O.J. Simpson drives around in white Bronco

Ah another brilliant moment from O.J…. Who hasn’t seen the footage of 20 cop cars chasing the now famous white Bronco? Simpson ended up simply driving to his home where he was promptly arrested and booked for murder.

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Doug Flutie's Hail Mary beats Miami, 47-45

Doug Flutie's Hail Mary beats Miami, 47-45

While 5’9” Doug Flutie didn’t have much NFL success, his name will forever go down in the record books. The tiny Flutie would sink Bernie Kosar’s mighty Miami squad with a hail mary for the ages.

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Muhammed Ali Lights the Flame at the 1996 Olympics

Muhammed Ali Lights the Flame at the 1996 Olympics

The ‘96 Olympics were held in Atlanta, but there was one secret that nobody could figure out… Who would light the torch? The committee did an incredible job of keeping it under wraps. A Parkinson’s crippled Ali emerges, and the stunned crowd roars to life as he proceeds to light the fuse.

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Magic Johnson announces he's HIV-positive, retires from NBA

Magic Johnson announces he's HIV-positive, retires from NBA

Magic was a basketball legend, but what he did for HIV awareness may be his greatest gift to the world. With no trace of self pity, Magic would announce his retirement from the game due to being HIV-positive and the announcement left the sports world in shock. He would state with a smile, "This is another challenge in my life. It's like your back is against the wall. And you have to come out swinging. And I'm swinging."

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NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Dies After Crash at Daytona 500

NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Dies After Crash at Daytona 500

No. 3’s crash into the wall in 2001 is a moment burned forever into NASCAR history. He will forever be remembered for his impact on the sport and his love for racing…

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Pete Rose Banned From Baseball for Life for Gambling

Pete Rose Banned From Baseball for Life for Gambling

Sadly, Rose isn’t remembered most for his hit record anymore… His gambling habit got him into trouble during his time as a player-coach, and MLB would ban him for it. Sadly, MLB still hasn’t considered lifting the ban.

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Mark McGwire Hits Home Run No. 62

Mark McGwire Hits Home Run No. 62

There’s no doubt that McGwire is an incredible power hitter, but once again it is a record with an asterisk. Still, passing Maris is no easy feat. Regardless of your opinion of his steroid use, there’s no doubt that McGwire is an extremely important name in baseball history.

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Kirk Gibson's Pinch-hit HR Wins World Series Game

Kirk Gibson's Pinch-hit HR Wins World Series Game

Coming into game 1 of the World Series, Kirk Gibson could barely walk, yet Gibson’s number was called in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs, and a man on. Eckersley decides to pitch to Gibson and with a majestic crack of the bat, Gibson ends the game.

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Bill Buckner's Error Completes Stunning Boston Collapse

Bill Buckner's Error Completes Stunning Boston Collapse

Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The Red Sox were 1 out away from winning it all, but a chopper down the 1st base line rolled between Buckner’s legs, allowing the tying run to score. The play would go down in Boston sports infamy, and Buckner was not able to show his face for a very long time…

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USA upsets vaunted Soviets in 1980 Olympics

USA upsets vaunted Soviets in 1980 Olympics

The year was 1980. Tension with the Soviets were still high, and the 7th seeded American squad managed to grind their way into the finals to face the undefeatable Soviet machine. A Brilliant play by U.S. goalie Jim Craig left the Soviets clearly flustered as they only held a 3-2 lead heading into the final period. With 2 incredible goals, the U.S. squad took the victory and the entire nation erupted in celebration.

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