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What are some of the most memorable and controversial moments in sports commentating history?

Jerimiah Loughren

Well, there have definitely been some unforgettable moments in sports commentating history that have created quite the stir! One of the most controversial moments has to be when Howard Cosell, a legendary sports broadcaster, made a comment during Monday Night Football in 1983 that led to his immediate resignation. Cosell referred to black wide receiver Alvin Garrett as a "little monkey," which was seen as a blatantly racist comment. There was an uproar, and Cosell was forced to retire shortly thereafter.

Another moment that comes to mind is the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, when commentator Paul Hamm was awarded the gold medal in men's gymnastics despite a scoring error. This caused a huge controversy, with many people calling for Hamm to give his medal back and for the scoring system to be revised. However, he ultimately kept the medal and went on to become a highly respected and successful gymnast.

Of course, there have also been plenty of memorable moments in sports commentating history that were less controversial but still made a huge impact. For example, who can forget when Al Michaels famously shouted "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" during the 1980 Winter Olympics hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union? That moment has been replayed over and over again, and is still remembered fondly by many sports fans.

Another iconic moment came during the 1996 NBA Finals, when commentator Marv Albert exclaimed "YES!" in disbelief after Michael Jordan hit a game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz. This was Jordan's last shot as a member of the Chicago Bulls, and the reaction from both Albert and the crowd was absolutely electric.

There are countless other moments in sports commentating history that are worth mentioning, from Don Cherry's controversial comments about European hockey players to Joe Buck's famously understated call of David Freese's walk-off home run in the 2011 World Series. No matter what your favorite sport is or which commentator you love, there is no shortage of iconic moments that will stay with fans for years to come.