Wayne Gretzky was, without question, the greatest hockey player. He started off his career by joining a team that became one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history. During nine seasons in the league, he would win four cups.
However, 1988 proved to be the last time that Gretzky would hoist the greatest prize in hockey. He’d give his best over the next 11 years to get back to the summit, but every year fell short. Today, Wayne Gretzky’s signature No. 99 has been retired throughout the league, an appropriate tribute to the great one.
Staubach Wins the Heisman
The second, and also last, Heisman winner in the U.S. Naval Academy's history belonged to Roger Staubach, the All-American quarterback. As one of the greatest athletes to come from the Naval Academy, Roger Staubach won the 1963 Heisman Trophy Award and became a highly coveted NFL player. But service to the country came before the field.
Before playing for the Cowboys, Roger Staubach served in the U.S. Navy and was later deployed to Vietnam. During his time at the NFL, Roger led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in four appearances.
O.J. Simpson in the USC
He was probably regarded as one of the most prolific players in USC's illustrious history, Simpson finished his career as a National Champion, two-time All-American, and Heisman winner. It's incredible to see how basic the Oregon uniforms used to be, a far cry from what they wear today.
He would finish his NFL career as a 5-time Pro Bowler and won many awards. But, it would be his controversial off-field incidents that truly defined O.J. Simpson, a tragic way to remember such an exceptional running back who could have been the face of the NFL for decades.
Willie Mays' Famous Catch
Willie Mays was simply referred to as "The Catch," with his famous over-the-shoulder basket catch. In the 1954 World Series Game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians, Mays stole Vic Wertz of a guaranteed extra-base hit in the eighth inning that kept the score tied at 2-2.
Right after Mays made the crazy save, he immediately spun around and threw the ball back to the infield as he knew the runners were advancing. The catch was made famous as The Giants went on to win the game in extra innings and the series in four games.
Ali's First Fight
After his promising amateur career, Ali took on Tunney Hunsaker, a policeman from West Virginia, in his first-ever professional fight. In front of a local crowd at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ali won unanimously.
Soon after, the two opponents became good friends, but Ali was remembered as the greatest boxer of all time. In 1981, Ali retired from boxing, and just three years later, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Ali passed away in Scottsdale Arizona in 1996, after a lengthy and difficult battle with the disease.