As sports fans, we often seek to explore the biggest 'what if' moments in sports history—scenarios that could have completely altered the landscape of sports if events had unfolded differently. These events are not only valuable lessons in the randomness of sports, but also fascinating stories full of imagination. Below Bet Win Tips shares the five biggest "what if" moments in sports history and their potential impact if these events had not occurred.
Top 7 biggest what ifs in sports history
1. Drew Bledsoe never gets injured
In Week 2 of the 2001 NFL season, New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe was hit hard by New York Jets' Mo Lewis. The impact left Bledsoe severely injured, forcing him to exit the game and opening the door for Tom Brady, a little-known backup at the time.
Brady, an unproven talent at the time, seized the opportunity and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl victory. This triumph marked the beginning of an era—Brady not only won the Super Bowl but also kickstarted one of the most successful dynasties in NFL history, securing multiple championships and cementing the Patriots' legacy as one of the greatest teams ever.
The big question here is if Bledsoe had not been injured, would Tom Brady have had the opportunity to showcase his ability? Without this replacement, the Patriots might not have reached the heights they have achieved today. Could Bledsoe have helped the team win its first Super Bowl, and would Brady have still had the chance to become an NFL legend? This is a "what if" question that has had a significant impact not only on the Patriots but also on the development of the NFL over the years.
2. Michael Jordan didn't retire to play baseball
Michael Jordan’s retirement was not solely to pursue baseball. After winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1993, Michael Jordan shocked the world when he abruptly retired to pursue a baseball career. Jordan moved to the Birmingham Barons, a Class AA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Despite struggling to find major success in his new sport, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995 and immediately helped the Bulls win three more NBA championships. However, the big question remained: if Jordan had not retired and had continued playing basketball, would he have maintained his absolute dominance in the NBA and perhaps secured even more titles?
If Jordan had not taken a break from his career, would he have surpassed Bill Russell’s record of 11 NBA championships and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary achievements? And would his career have ended with him as the undisputed "Greatest Player of All Time" if not for this brief retirement?
Michael Jordan's career would certainly have taken a different path had he not retired, and the NBA might have looked different had he not missed those three crucial years.
3. The Red Sox never traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees
In 1919, the Boston Red Sox made one of the worst decisions in sports history when they traded Babe Ruth, a rising star both as a pitcher and a hitter, to the New York Yankees for $125,000. Babe Ruth would go on to become a Yankees legend, leading them to four World Series titles and establishing the team as one of the most dominant organizations in sports history.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox endured an infamous 86-year championship drought, later dubbed the "Curse of the Bambino." This trade intensified the long-standing rivalry between the two teams, with the Yankees enjoying sustained dominance while the Red Sox faced decades of frustration and near misses.
If the Red Sox had not made this trade, would they have won more World Series championships, and would their drought have been shorter? Would the Yankees have become the powerhouse they became without Ruth? Indeed, the Babe Ruth trade was a historic turning point for both teams and might have reshaped the landscape of MLB throughout the 20th century.
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4. Len Bias didn’t die
Len Bias, the second overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft, was considered one of the NBA’s most promising talents and the ideal successor to Larry Bird. Bias had a stellar career at the University of Maryland, winning ACC Player of the Year twice and emerging as one of the key figures expected to revitalize the Celtics.
However, just hours after being drafted, Bias died of a cocaine overdose, a tragedy that deprived both the Celtics and the NBA of an extraordinary talent.
If Len Bias hadn’t tragically passed away, would he have become an NBA legend and helped the Celtics win more championships in the late 1980s and beyond? Could Bias have become one of the greatest players in NBA history and led the Celtics to sustained dominance for years?
This tragedy undeniably altered the course of NBA history, and the Celtics might have secured more championships with Bias as a cornerstone of the team.
5. Gordon Hayward's Buzzer-Beater goes in
In the 2010 NCAA Finals, the Butler Bulldogs faced the Duke Blue Devils. In the final seconds of the game, Butler’s Gordon Hayward had a chance to win the championship with a last-second shot from midcourt.
His shot struck the backboard and the rim, but the ball bounced out, sealing Duke’s victory and the national championship. Butler fell short of achieving one of the greatest feats in March Madness history, while Hayward experienced a heartbreaking near-miss in the eyes of millions of fans.
Had that shot gone in, Butler could have made history not only for his team but also for college sports as a whole. This could have ushered in a new era for small colleges like Butler, as they proved they could compete with and defeat big teams in national sports tournaments. It made us think about the small moments, the decisive shots, and the unpredictability of sports, where everything could change in an instant.
6. The NFL without Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice is an NFL legend, considered the greatest wide receiver of all time. However, if he had not joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1985, the team might have missed out on three Super Bowl victories in the 1980s and 1990s. Rice was not only an exceptional receiver but also a versatile player who helped the team win many important games. Throughout his career, he set records for catches (1,549) and receiving yards (22,895), helping the 49ers maintain their status as one of the top teams in NFL history.
Without Rice, would the 49ers have maintained their dominance in the NFL throughout the 1980s and 1990s? It’s hard to imagine another team filling the void left by Rice and continuing to win multiple Super Bowl titles.
Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants would have had a stronger chance to win the Super Bowl, but Jerry Rice’s absence would have deprived the NFL of one of its greatest players. Without Rice, the NFL landscape might have looked entirely different, and the 49ers' dynasty might never have reached the same heights.
7. Tiger Woods without Injuries and personal troubles
Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers in history, and his career completely changed the way the sport is perceived. Throughout the 2000s, Woods dominated professional golf with exceptional skill and an unprecedented run of success, winning 14 Majors in just one decade.
However, his career was severely affected by injuries and personal troubles. Back injuries and off-the-field issues prevented Woods from maintaining his peak form for years. Repeated injuries and personal troubles disrupted his stellar career, hindering his pursuit of additional Major titles.
If Woods had not suffered these injuries, would he have continued to dominate the PGA Tour and won more Majors? In particular, could he have surpassed Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major titles? Woods proved that despite adversity, he could still win and reach the top, as he won the 2019 Masters after many years away. However, without injuries and off-course troubles, Woods’ career could have been even more remarkable, and he could have become the greatest golfer of all time, not only in the eyes of fans but also in terms of PGA Tour records.
Final Thoughts
The biggest what ifs in sports history not only highlight the randomness of events but also reflect how small changes can have a big impact on the world of sports. From Drew Bledsoe not getting injured, to Michael Jordan not retiring, to decisions like the Red Sox trading Babe Ruth, each of these situations could have changed the course of sports history. These stories not only stimulate the imagination but also show the power of decisions and the impact of tragedy in shaping sports legends and dynasties.
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