SuperBowl LI was arguably the best SuperBowl in history. Its hard to top a 25 point second half comeback. As a matter of fact it has never been topped. It was a SuperBowl record.
Is this the worst choke in sports history? Do to the recency of this one it may feel like it, but lets think about last nine months and remember the MLB World Series and NBA Championship.
In June of 2016 the Golden State Warriors blew a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals to lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers. People called that the worst collapse sports history. Then, in October of 2016, the Cleveland Indians blew a 3-1 series lead in the MLB World Series to help the Chicago Cubs win their first pennant since 1908. With the SuperBowl being the latest in meltdowns it got me thinking about some other great comebacks or chokes, depending on what end of the horse you are.
Here are list of my Top 5 personal favorites.
#5: The Wildcat Comeback
In 1994, the Kentucky Wildcats rallied back from 31 points down with just over 15 minutes left in the game left to beat the LSU Tigers. Its fine though LSU alum, there is always football.
#4: Siege The Day
In a 2003 game against the Indianapolis Colts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew a 28-7 fourth quarter lead by giving up 21 points in the final five minutes of the game to lose 38-35.
#3: It’s Miller Time
In Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals Reggie Miller scored eight points in the final 18.7 seconds to lead the Indiana Pacers to an unimaginable comeback over the New York Knicks.
#2: “The Comeback”
In 1993 the Buffalo beat the Houston Oilers in the largest comeback in NFL history. Trailing 35-3 in the second half, Buffalo’s backup quarterback, Frank Reich, threw four touchdowns to lead the Bills back for a 41-38 win.
#1: The Beantown Beatdown
This is my personal favorite, not only because I’m a Red Sox fan, but also because I loathe the Yankees. In 2004, the Boston Red Sox overcame a 3-0 series deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the AL Championship. The Sox rode this momentum to a World Series Championship that season.
Let me know what you think is the worst choke in history in the comments below.
-Lipko