Greatest Moments in Miami History

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 28, 2010

Greatest Moments in Miami History

1969 Super Bowl III

The top sports moments to happen within the city itself, including neutral-site matchups such as college bowl games, super bowls, NCAA Tournaments, etc. Despite playing for a 19-point underdog, Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed New York would go home victorious. Namath kept his promise by leading the Jets to a 16-7 win against the Colts, with Namath throwing for 206 yards. Within four months of the game, the American Football League and National Football League merged.

1979 Super Bowl XIII

The rematch of Super Bowl X didn't disappoint as Terry Bradshaw threw four touchdown passes and Roger Staubach threw for three in the Steelers' 35-31 victory. Bradshaw was named MVP.

1984 Orange Bowl

Riding high on a 22-game winning streak, top-ranked Nebraska lost to the Miami Hurricanes in one of the most storied games in NCAA history. Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne opted to go for a two-point conversion attempt with the score 31-30 in the closing seconds. Safety Ken Calhoun deflected the pass intended for Irving Fryar, giving Miami the win and its first national title.

Hail Flutie

The Miami Hurricanes seemed to have a lock on a victory against Doug Flutie's Boston College Eagles in 1984 after taking a 45-41 lead late in the fourth quarter. But with six seconds left, Flutie launched a 48-yard Hail Mary pass to receiver Gerard Phelan, giving the Eagles a stunning victory and clinching the Heisman Trophy for Flutie.

Dolphins ruin Bears' perfect season

The Dolphins-Bears game in December 1985 drew a Monday Night Football-record 70 million viewers. Chicago came in 12-0, but lost 38-24 -- its only defeat en route to winning Super Bowl XX.

1994 Orange Bowl

Second-ranked Florida State took an 18-16 lead over the No. 1 Huskers with a field goal by freshman Scott Bentley. The Huskers tried a last-second field goal but the ball sailed wide as Bobby Bowdwn's Seminoles won their first national title.

1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5

The rivalry between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks came to a boil during Game 5 of the 1997 playoffs. The Heat were trailing 3-1 in the series but went on to take Game 5. Taking advantage of the suspensions that arose from the brawl at the end of the victory, Miami took the series in seven games.

1997 World Series Game 7

Tied at 2 in the 11th inning, the Series ended when Marlins shortstop Edgar Renteria hit an RBI single to drive in Crag Counsell for the franchise's first World Series championship.

2003 World Series Game 4

With the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the 12th inning, Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez won the game with a solo home run off Yankees reliever Jeff Weaver. The victory tied the series at 2 and set the stage for the Marlins to defeat the Yankees in six games.

2006 NBA Finals Game 3

The Heat trailed the Mavs 2-0 in the series and it looked as if the Mavs were en route to a sweep, up 89-76 in Game 3. But thanks to a remarkable 22-7 run, the Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, won the game 98-96. The Heat won the next three games for their first championship in franchise history. Wade was named Finals MVP. Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.