As sports fans, we often seek to discover the biggest what ifs in sports history, situations that could have completely changed the course of sports if they had gone 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 quarterback Mo Lewis. The impact left Bledsoe severely injured and forced to leave the field, opening the door for Tom Brady, a then-unknown backup. Brady, who had been a relatively undistinguished player in his early years, seized the opportunity and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl victory. Brady not only won the Super Bowl, but also began a successful dynasty with the Patriots that included multiple championships and helped make the team one of the greatest in NFL history.
The big question here is, if Bledsoe had not been injured, would Tom Brady have had the opportunity to prove his talent? Without this replacement, the Patriots might not have reached the heights they are today. Could Bledsoe have helped the team win its first Super Bowl, and would Brady have continued to be given the opportunity to become an NFL legend? This is a "what if" question that has had a huge 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
After winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1993, Michael Jordan shocked the world when he suddenly retired to pursue a baseball career. Jordan moved to the Birmingham Barons, a Class AA team of the Chicago White Sox. Despite not achieving great 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 remains: if Jordan had not retired and continued playing basketball, would he have maintained his absolute dominance in the NBA and possibly won many more titles?
If Jordan had not interrupted his career, would he have surpassed Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 11 NBA championships? And would his career have ended with him being named the "Greatest Player of All Time" without this brief retirement? Michael Jordan's career would certainly have been different without this decision to retire, and the NBA might have been different without him missing 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 sold Babe Ruth, a rising star, to the New York Yankees for $125,000. Babe Ruth would become a Yankees legend, winning four World Series championships and establishing the team as one of the most powerful organizations in sports. Meanwhile, the Red Sox endured an 86-year championship drought known as the “Curse of the Bambino.” This created a constant rivalry between the two teams, with the Yankees dominating while the Red Sox struggled with defeat.
If the Red Sox had not made this trade, would they have won more World Series championships, and would their drought have lasted less? Would the Yankees have become the great empire they were without Ruth? Indeed, the Babe Ruth trade was a historic turning point for both teams and could have changed the landscape of MLB throughout the 20th century.
Learn about reputable Nigeria betting site that offer quality service and secure payment methods.
4. Len Bias didn’t die
Len Bias, selected second overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft, was one of the NBA’s most promising talents and was seen as the ideal successor to Larry Bird. Bias had a promising career at the University of Maryland, winning ACC Player of the Year twice and being one of the players expected to turn the Celtics around. However, just hours after being selected, Bias died from cocaine use, a tragedy that cost not only the Celtics but the NBA as a whole a great talent.
If Len Bias hadn’t died, would he have become an NBA legend and helped the Celtics win more championships throughout the 1980s? Could Bias have gone on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history and helped his team dominate the league for years to come? Certainly, this tragedy changed the future of the NBA forever, and the Celtics might have won more titles with Bias in the lineup.
5. Gordon Hayward's Buzzer-Beater goes in
In the 2010 NCAA Finals, the Butler Bulldogs faced off against the Duke Blue Devils. In the final seconds of the game, Butler's Gordon Hayward had a chance to decide the game with a shot from midcourt. His shot hit the backboard and the rim, but the ball bounced out, giving Duke the win and the national championship. Butler missed out on the greatest feat in March Madness history, while Hayward became a failed hero in the eyes of millions of fans.
Had that shot gone in, Butler could have made history not only for his team, but 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 and beat big teams in national sports tournaments. It makes us think about the small moments, the decisive shots, and the unexpectedness of sports, where everything can change in an instant.
6. The NFL without Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice is an NFL legend and is considered the greatest wide receiver of all time. However, if he had not joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1985, the team might not have won three Super Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s. Rice not only brought great receiving ability, but was 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 a competitive edge among the top teams in NFL history.
Without Rice, would the 49ers have maintained their dominance in the NFL throughout that decade? It’s hard to imagine another team replacing Rice’s greatness and continuing to win such important victories. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants would certainly have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl, but Jerry Rice’s absence would have left the NFL without one of its greatest players. Perhaps these teams would not have created the great dynasties that the 49ers had without Rice.
7. Tiger Woods without Injuries and personal troubles
Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers in history, and his career has completely changed the way the sport is viewed. Throughout the 2000s, Woods dominated the golf course with incredible skill and an incredible run of success, winning 14 Majors in just one decade. However, his career has been severely affected by injuries and personal troubles. Back injuries and off-the-field issues have prevented Woods from maintaining his peak form for years. Repeated injuries and personal troubles have disrupted his stellar career, making it more difficult to win more Majors.
If Woods had not suffered these injuries, would he have continued to dominate the PGA Tour and win more Majors? In particular, can he surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major titles? Woods has proven that despite adversity, he can 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 much more brilliant, and he could have become the greatest golfer of all time, not only in the eyes of fans but also in PGA Tour record statistics.
Final Thoughts
The biggest what ifs in sports history not only highlights the randomness of events, but also reflects on 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 can change the course of sports history. These stories not only stimulate the imagination, but also show the power of decision and tragedy in shaping sports legends and dynasties.
See also: Barcelona rejected Ronaldo: Controversial decision
