The U.S. national soccer team's goalkeeper, left, broke a World Cup record by saving 16 goals during Tuesday’s match against Belgium. His heroics sparked numerous Internet memes, and a White House petition was launched to rename Washington Reagan National Airport the Tim Howard Airport.
Austin was a top recruit from Baylor and expected to go high in the 2014 NBA draft. But he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a potentially life-threatening illness, just four days earlier. However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver made Austin an "honorary draftee," and he received a standing ovation walking up to the podium.
Lin received no scholarships offers out of high school and went undrafted out of Harvard University. But he reached a deal in 2010 to play for the Golden State Warriors. He rarely played in his rookie season and was assigned to the NBA Development League three teams. After being waived by the Warriors and the Houston Rockets, he joined the New York Knicks, where he unexpectedly led a winning streak and was promoted to the starting lineup. What came next? "Linsanity."
The thoroughbred's rags-to-riches tale captured the attention of the nation: his owners are not millionaires but middle-class couples — Perry and Denise Martin of California and Steve and Carolyn Coburn of Nevada — who put together $8,000 to buy the horse, which nobody thought could ever win. In fact, one of the former owners said they had made a "dumb ass" move, but the horse went on to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in 2014, but failed to complete the Triple Crown at the Belmont.
Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney won silver at the 2012 Summer Games for her performance on the vault, but she really wanted gold. And it showed on her face when she stood at the podium accepting her medal. The look, which became known as her "not impressed" face, sparked numerous Internet memes.
In 2012, the University of Kentucky star player was named national player of the year, defensive player of the year and freshman of the year, among numerous other honors, and helped lead his undefeated team to an NCAA Championship. He also became the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. But what really got people buzzing was his unibrow, which, of course, sparked numerous memes.
As the University of Florida's starting quarterback, Tebow became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007. He also led Florida to a 13-1 record and its second national championship in three years and was named the offensive MVP of the national championship game. Tebow was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After becoming starting QB, the team — which previously had a 1-4 record — went on to win its first AFC West title and first playoff game since 2005. Tebow also became known for his public displays of religious faith, both on and off the field.
The 1980 men's ice-hockey team was comprised of amateur and collegiate players and expected to be soundly defeated by the USSR's team, which had won gold in seven of the previous Olympic Games. But they defied the odds, beating the Soviets in the medal round, and going on win to gold at the Lake Placid Games. The win would become known as the "Miracle on Ice" thanks to announcer Al Michaels' exclamation: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" It also inspired a made-for-TV movie and the 2004 Disney film Miracle, starring Kurt Russell.
At age 17, Chang became the youngest male player to ever win a Grand Slam singles title with his performance at the 1989 French Open. He also became the first American man to win the title in more than three decades. Additionally, Chang became known for his jumping two-handed backhand.
At age 16, Kournikova made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon. She never won a Grand Slam singles titles (she did win twice in doubles with partner Martina Hingis), but because of her youth and looks, she garnered a lot of attention, and her name became one of the most-searched terms on Google in the early 2000s.
The golfer from Northern Ireland led the 2011 Masters until the final day, where he shot the worst round in history by any pro golfer leading after the third round of the tournament. But he came back and won the 2011 U.S. Open. In 2012 he became the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
Chastain kicked the game-winning overtime penalty shootout goal against China during the Women's World Cup final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on July 10, 1999. (The U.S. beat China 5-4 on penalty kicks after 0-0 tie.) Chastain garnered even more attention for what she did next: taking off her shirt to celebrate the win.
The University of Michigan freshman had been a bench player coming in to play in the Final Four game against No. 1 seed Louisville in 2013. While Michigan ultimately lost the game, Albrecht gave an unexpectedly amazing performance, scoring 17 points in the first half of the game.
Valenzuela was a 20-year-old pitching sensation out of Mexico, winning the rookie of the year award and the Cy Young award and leading the National League in strikeouts in 1981, sparking "Fernandomania." He also pitched in the All-Star game and helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series win that year. On opening day of his second season, he pitched a shut-out.