Sports Moments Nicknames Quiz

Question: Which sport saw the infamous “butt fumble”?

Answer: Mark Sanchez of the gridiron football team New York Jets is responsible for the infamous “butt fumble.” In a 2012 Thanksgiving Day game against the New England Patriots, Sanchez ran into the butt of fellow Jet Brandon Moore and fumbled the ball. The Patriots recovered the fumble and took it into the end zone for a touchdown.

Question: The “Miracle on Ice” was a hockey game during which the United States defeated which country’s national team?

Answer: The “Miracle on Ice” was the game in which the United States’ hockey team defeated the Soviet Union’s team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The U.S. team, made up of mostly amateurs, defeated the Soviet Union, which had dominated the sport for years. The U.S. beat the Soviets 4–3 and would go on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland.

Question: “The Shot Heard ’Round the World” took place in which sport?

Answer: “The Shot Heard ’Round the World” is a moment in baseball history. In the decisive game for the National League pennant in 1951, New York Giants player Bobby Thomson hit the game-winning home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca. The play led to one of the most famous calls in sports, by Russ Hodges: “The Giants win the pennant!”

Question: The “Malice at the Palace” erupted in the stands after National Basketball Association (NBA) player Ron Artest got hit with what thrown by a fan?

Answer: The “Malice at the Palace” erupted in the stands after Ron Artest got hit with a cup of beer thrown by a fan. The infamous event occurred in a 2004 National Basketball Association (NBA) game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. A conflict started on the court among the players, but fans soon got involved, which led to fights between players and fans. It was one of the ugliest scenes in NBA history.

Question: Which teams played in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup match nicknamed the “Battle of Nuremberg”?

Answer: Portugal and the Netherlands played in a 2006 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup match in Nuremberg that came to be known as the “Battle of Nuremberg.” Portugal won the match, which was known for its ferocity and lack of discipline, by a score of 1–0. Sixteen yellow cards were handed out along with four red cards.

Question: The famous goal scored by soccer player Diego Maradona was dubbed what?

Answer: Diego Maradona scored the famous, or infamous, “Hand of God” goal in a quarterfinals match of the 1986 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup between Maradona’s Argentina and England. Maradona scored with his hand, so the goal should have been disallowed. Argentina would defeat England 2–1.

Question: Which boxer fought in both the “Rumble in the Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila”?

Answer: Muhammad Ali fought in and won both the “Rumble in the Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila.” The “Rumble in the Jungle” was a 1974 fight in Zaire between Ali and heavyweight champion George Foreman. Ali won via knockout in the 8th round. The “Thrilla in Manila” was a 1975 bout between Ali and Joe Frazier. Ali was declared the victor when Frazier’s corner called for a stoppage after the 14th round.

Question: The “Immaculate Reception” was caught by which Pittsburgh Steelers player?

Answer: The “Immaculate Reception” was caught by Franco Harris. In the 1972 American Football Conference divisional round playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, Steelers running back Harris caught a deflected Terry Bradshaw pass and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown to win the game with the clock winding down. It is widely known as one of the greatest plays in National Football League (NFL) history.

Question: During the famous “flu game,” Michael Jordan did not have the flu but actually had what illness?

Answer: During the famous “flu game” Michael Jordan actually had food poisoning, which he got from the pizza that he had eaten the night before. Despite this illness, he still dropped 38 points in a win against the Utah Jazz during Game 5 of the 1997 National Basketball Association (NBA) finals.

Question: In the match known as the “Battle of the Sexes,” Bobby Riggs was defeated by which female tennis player?

Answer: In a 1973 match known as the “Battle of the Sexes,” Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets. The match was nationally televised, and the winner took home $100,000. King’s victory gave greater credibility to women’s tennis and brought attention to the issue of equal pay for men and women.