The Most Exhilarating Plays That Happen in Sports

BY KAYLA BEIRNE

Seeing one of the most exhilarating plays that happen in sports leaves an impression on you that you will remember forever, especially if you witness it live.

Sports remains the best reality show that’s on television. On any given day, you may see something that lifts your spirits or makes you feel like a dark cloud is hovering over you. Hopefully, you are on the good side of the most exhilarating plays that happen in sports.

Stoppage-Time Goal

Scoring in soccer can be a jolt to your system in regulation, but it hits differently when there is a key goal during stoppage time. Whether it’s all square or your team is down one, scoring in that brief window to change the game’s outcome feels like a gift from the soccer gods. On the flip side, if your favorite team allowed the goal, it’s a swift kick to the gut.

Overtime Hockey Winner

It’s safe to say that an overtime hockey playoff goal is as relieving as it is exhilarating. The beauty of hockey is that you have no clue when a scoring opportunity develops. And when it’s a sudden death scenario like it is in the playoffs, you will be on the edge of your seat during every face-off, pass, and shot. Some of these games can last multiple extra periods and extend to six hours long, so when it is finally over, you can finally exhale.

Walk-Off Home Run

What makes baseball great is that regardless of the score, the home team always has a shot until they make the final out. That glimmer of hope of seeing a walk-off home run is enough to keep your eyes glued to the game. Even in an inconsequential game in the regular season, a walk-off home run is a moment of jubilation. Players mob each other at home plate as if they won a championship. It’s hard to duplicate the psychological benefit that sports can bring.

Buzzer-Beating Shot

Even though we’ve seen hundreds of buzzer-beating plays throughout our lives, they never lose their excitement, especially when it’s an upset in March. The rush of the clock ticking down already has you on edge. When the shot goes up, you’re already preparing yourself for the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. But when it does splash the net, there’s nothing that will make you happier.

Hail Mary

A play that encompasses elements of the previous four plays into one is a successful Hail Mary. It’s rare, like a stoppage-time goal, relieving as a hockey OT winner, and ends the game as the clock strikes zero like a walk-off homer or buzzer-beater. There’s a reason we still replay Doug Flutie’s heave to beat Miami and Kordell Stewart’s laser to Michael Westbrook at Michigan. It’s the same reason why every Packers fan thinks they have a chance when Aaron Rodgers is chucking it downfield.

If you are on the beneficiary side of the most exhilarating plays that happen in sports, you are on top of the world for the rest of the week. However, if you fall victim to one, there’s no way you will get a good night’s sleep while you’re stewing over what should have been.