The Biggest Underdog Wins of All Time

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 28 August 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Biggest Underdog Wins

• Best Underdog Stories
• Biggest Underdog Wins: Miracle on Ice
• Rams’ Super Bowl Triumph
• Giants’ Unlikely Victory
• LSU’s Historic Final Four
• Buster Douglas’ KO
• Phillies’ World Series Win
• Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to today’s blog about the biggest underdog wins, where we look at some of the most inspiring underdog stories in US sports history. We’ll explore how these teams and individuals defied the odds, overcame challenges, and emerged victorious, providing inspiration for us all. These are some of the greatest underdog stories in history – so, without further ado, let’s get started!

Best Underdog Stories

Underdog stories are a showcase of what players, fans, and teams can achieve when they work together and have the backing of the right people. They remind us that success is not always about being the strongest or the most talented, but about having the courage to face challenges and the resilience to keep going despite the odds.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best underdog stories in US sports history, from the Miracle on Ice to the Giants’ unlikely victory in Super Bowl XLII.

While we generally focus on NFL mobile betting and betting on various other sports, we also like to cover interesting blog topics like this from time to time.

Biggest Underdog Wins: Miracle on Ice

The Miracle on Ice is one of the most iconic moments in US sports history. In 1980, a group of college hockey players from the United States achieved the impossible by defeating the Soviet Union’s team, considered the best in the world. This victory was not just about a game of hockey; it was a symbolic triumph during the Cold War era, and a major win for the US.

The Soviet team was a formidable force, having won the gold medal in six of the seven previous Winter Olympics. In contrast, the US team was young, inexperienced, and largely unknown. The odds were heavily stacked against them, but under the leadership of coach Herb Brooks, they managed to pull off a stunning upset.

Brooks was a key figure in this underdog story. He assembled a team of players who were not necessarily the most talented, but who had the right attitude and chemistry. He implemented a rigorous training program and instilled in his players a strong belief in themselves and their ability to win.

The game itself was a nail-biter. The Soviets dominated the first period, but the Americans managed to keep the score close. In the final period, with the score tied at 3-3, Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal, leading the US team to a 4-3 victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, and broadcaster Al Michaels delivered his famous line: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Rams’ Super Bowl Triumph

In the world of American football, few stories are as inspiring as the St. Louis Rams’ victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. The 1999 season was a rollercoaster ride for the Rams, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The team had been struggling for years, and their prospects for the season looked bleak when their starting quarterback, Trent Green, suffered a season-ending injury during a preseason game.

Enter Kurt Warner, a former grocery store stocker and Arena Football League player, who was thrust into the role of starting quarterback. Warner seized the opportunity with both hands, leading the Rams to a 13-3 regular season record and a spot in the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl game against the Tennessee Titans was a nail-biter. The Rams were leading 16-0, but the Titans fought back to tie the game. With just over two minutes left, Warner connected with Isaac Bruce for a 73-yard touchdown, putting the Rams back in the lead.

The Titans had one last chance to tie the game, but the Rams defense stopped them just one yard short of the end zone. Warner was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, completing one of the most remarkable Cinderella stories in NFL history. In our opinion, this is one of the best underdog stories!

Giants’ Unlikely Victory

Super Bowl XLII is remembered for one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. The New England Patriots were on the verge of a perfect season, having won all their regular season and playoff games. They were the clear favorites to win the Super Bowl, but the New York Giants had other plans.

The Giants were the underdogs, but they were not deterred. Their defense put on a masterclass, disrupting the Patriots’ potent offense and keeping the game close. The Giants’ offense, led by quarterback Eli Manning, also stepped up, making key plays when it mattered the most.

The defining moment of the game came in the fourth quarter. With just over a minute left, Manning escaped a sack and launched a pass to David Tyree, who made an incredible helmet catch to keep the drive alive. Four plays later, Manning threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress.

The Giants’ unlikely victory sparked global news coverage and served as a reminder that in sports, the outcome is not determined by predictions or past performances, but by performance on the day. It shows that with the right strategy, execution, and a bit of luck, underdogs can come out on top!

LSU’s Historic Final Four

The LSU Tigers’ journey to the Final Four in the 1986 NCAA tournament is one of the most unforgettable stories in college basketball history. The Tigers, a No. 11 seed, were the lowest seed to ever make the Final Four at the time – a feat that has only been repeated three times since.

The road to the Final Four wasn’t an easy one for the Tigers. They had to defeat the top three seeds in a single tournament. Each win they secured was more improbable than the last, and with each win, the Tigers proved their doubters wrong and made history.

This remarkable run by LSU was a true display of the phrase “March Madness”. The tournament is known for its unpredictability, and the Tigers’ success is a testament to this. Despite not being favored in any of their games, the LSU Tigers showed a level of grit, determination, and resilience that defied the odds. Their underdog story serves as a reminder that in sports, as in life, anything is possible when you believe and work hard.

While they definitely weren’t the best team on paper, the result shows that the spirit of a team that refused to give up, who dared to dream big, ended up being the more important factor on the court on that famous day.

Buster Douglas’ KO

In the world of boxing, few moments are as shocking as Buster Douglas’ knockout of Mike Tyson in 1990. Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, a fearsome fighter who had dispatched all his previous opponents with ease. Douglas, on the other hand, was a giant underdog. Few gave him a chance, but Douglas proved that in boxing, as in life, anything is possible.

Douglas had a difficult journey to the fight. His mother had passed away just 23 days before the bout, and he had to overcome immense personal grief. But he used his pain as motivation, training harder than ever and stepping into the ring with a determination to win.

The fight was held in Tokyo, and from the start, Douglas showed that he was not intimidated by Tyson. He used his jab effectively, keeping Tyson at bay and landing powerful punches. In the eighth round, Tyson knocked Douglas down, but Douglas got up and continued to fight.

In the tenth round, Douglas landed a series of punches that sent Tyson to the floor. Tyson was unable to get up, and Douglas was declared the winner. It was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, a testament to the power of self-belief, determination, and the will to win.

Phillies’ World Series Win

In 1980, the Philadelphia Phillies achieved something they had never done before: they won the World Series. It was a monumental achievement for a team that had been in existence for 97 years, and it was a victory that was savored by players and fans alike.

The Phillies’ journey to the World Series was not easy. They had to overcome a number of obstacles, including a tough regular season and a grueling playoff series. But they showed an amazing attitude, fighting for every run and every out.

The World Series itself was a closely contested affair. The Phillies were up against the Kansas City Royals, a team that had also never won the World Series. The series went to six games, with the Phillies winning four games to two.

The victory was a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and belief. It showed that even after nearly a century of existence, a team can achieve its ultimate goal with the right mix of talent, strategy, and determination.

Here are some interesting facts about one of the greatest underdog stories of the century: