Here are some of the best caught moments of Sports Illustrated photographers during competitions from all over the years. The 100 images we could see in this article were exceptional pictures of players, fans, referees, and many more. We might even recognize some of the images if we were a fan of that sport.
The Best Photographs Of Our Favorite Athletes Of All-Time
Muhammad Ali And Cleveland Williams
At the Houston Astrodome on November 14, 1966, Ali defended and beat his opposing opponent in the heavyweight title match by knocking out Cleveland Big Cat’ Williams in the third round. The fight between Muhammad Ali and Cleveland Williams had attracted a 35,460 indoor crowd, and it was officially recorded as one of the highest audiences in history.
Muhammad Ali And Cleveland Williams
Willie Mays
On September 29, 1954, at the World Series, Wille Mays, a 12-time Gold Glove winner, made one of his finest defensive plays in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series. The athlete caught a deep fly ball to centerfield while running the best to get the ball to help the Giants win with a score of 5-2. Mays had won the NL MVP award that season, and Mays carried the Giants to get the championship title from the Cleveland Indians.
Willie Mays
Chuck Bednarik And Frank Gifford
On November 20, 1960, during the Eagles-Giants match at Yankee Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik celebrated when the linebacker took down the New York Giants running back Frank Gifford. After the hit that Chuck had made, Gifford was forced to break from football because of its injury.
Chuck Bednarik And Frank Gifford
Dwight Clark
Last January 10, 1982, San Francisco wide receiver Dwight Clark, known as “The Catch,” had received a pass from Joe Montana. The pass resulted in a six-yard touchdown which made the 49ers become the victors after scoring 28-27 against Dallas Cowboys. After winning the match, the 49ers went to the Super Bowl, where the team won against the Bengals.
Dwight Clark
Michael Phelps
In the Beijing Olympics held on August 16, 2008, Michael Phelps, an American swimmer, beat the Serbian Swimmer Milorad Cavic. The American swimmer won with only 0.01 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly final. Phelps had seven gold medals before the swimmer participated in the Beijing Olympics. After Michael won the match, the American Swimmer had a total of eight awards.
Michael Phelps
David Tyree And Rodney Harrison
New York Giants receiver David Tyree guaranteed a receive with his helmet during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008, against the Patriot. Rodney Harrison of the Patriots attempted to take him down to the ground. Tyree’s receive was crucial in the New York Giants. The match ended in a 17-14, which the New York Giants won against the Patriots.
David Tyree And Rodney Harrison
Greg Olson
On October 19, 1991, during Game 1 of the World Series, Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Olson turned upside down after the catcher tried to tag Minnesota left fielder Dan Gladden out at home. The Twins were the winner in game 1. In the seven games of the series, with a 5-2, the Twins advanced to game 2.
Greg Olson
Muhammad Ali And Sonny Liston
On May 25, 1965, at Central Maine Youth Center Lewiston, Maine, Muhammad Ali took down Sonny Liston out in their rematch for the heavyweight championship. After the match, Ali retained the heavyweight title until 1967. Muhammad Ali’s championship title was stripped from him after he refused to join the army.
Muhammad Ali And Sonny Liston
Antwaan Randle El
In the AFC Wild Card playoff at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on January 5, 2003, Antwaan Randle, the Pittsburgh receiver, got his head twisted after Chris Akins of the Cleveland Browns pulled his helmet. Officials called Chris Akins for face masking after his action. The match ended with a score of 36-33, which the Steelers won against the Browns.
Antwaan Randle El
Mike Tyson And Evander Holyfield
In the match between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 28, 1997, Mike bit the ears of Holyfield. The Heavyweight fight resulted in Mike’s boxing license temporarily revoked because of the incident. Mike was also charged three million dollars because of his action.
Mike Tyson And Evander Holyfield
Bobby Martin
On September 24, 2005, Belmont High and Colonel White High faced each other in the match. Bobby Martin, the three-foot player backup varsity of Dayton’s Colonel White High, would play in the Kickoff coverage. Bobby was given birth without any legs. Unfortunately, the athlete could not use prosthetics since he had no thighs to attach them.
Bobby Martin
Juan Marichal
The image was captured during Spring Training at Casa Grande on March 8, 1965. Juan Marichal, the San Francisco Giants pitcher, became well-known because of his unique windup in a match. Juan had the highest leg kicks among all other league players and was recorded in major league history.
Juan Marichal
Tiger Woods
In the Masters’ tournament held on April 8, 2001, Tiger Woods amazed everyone after the golfer tees off the match’s final round. Woods beat David Duval by two strokes. After Woods won the watch, the golfer successfully finished the “Tiger Slam,” since the athlete had become the consecutive major champion.
Tiger Woods
Brandi Chastain
In the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup held on July 10, 1999, Brandi Chastain, a player in the United States team, embraces her moment after the athlete made a goal. The U.S. team was the winner of the match after Brandi successfully scored a penalty kick. Brandi took off her jersey and twirled it above her head.
Brandi Chastain
Joe Montana
At the Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1982, Joe Montana of San Francisco 49ers quarterback guided his team to win the match against the Cincinnati Bengals. Only 3 minutes and 10 seconds remaining before the match ended. Joe carried his team when the athlete ran for 92 yards for his team to score. 20-16 was the final score of the game, and the 49ers won the match.
Joe Montana
Javier Torres
In the Paralympic Games on September 21, 2004, Vicente Javier Torres, a Spain swimmer, joined the competition. Vicente was able to finish the 150-meter individual medley even without a leg. After a fantastic performance Torres did, the swimmer won a silver medal that almost surpassed most competitors.
Javier Torres
Vince Lombardi
On the Super Bowl II on January 14, 1968, Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packer’s head coach, was carried off by his players. The score was 33-14 which the Packer became the victor against the opposing team Oakland Raiders. It was the team’s second consecutive win in the Super Bowl.
Vince Lombardi
Don Larsen And Yogi Berra
On October 8, 1956, the New York Yankees pitcher, Don Larsen, hugged catcher Yogi Berra after the World Series. The game was recognized as the perfect game in the history of the World Series. They held the game in the Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankee also beat the opposing team in seven games of the series.
Don Larsen And Yogi Berra
Bill Russell And Wilt Chamberlain
The two huge players in the NBA named Bill Russel of the Boston Celtics and Wilt Chamberlain of the 76ers faced each other on April 5, 1968. They held the game in the court of Philadelphia. The image captured how Wilt and Bill were waiting to get the ball. It was a rare chance to see a picture of the legends compete with each other.
Bill Russell And Wilt Chamberlain
Michael Jordan
On the All-Star Weekend on February 6, 1988, Michael Jordan did something that made everyone amazed. Jordan leaped from the free-throw line and dunked the ball to get a perfect score from the judges. In the final dunk competition, Jordan beat his opponent Dominique Wilkins. Jordan won the contest a second time. The match was also the best duel between the two superstars.
Michael Jordan
Bobby Orr
In-game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Bobby Orr, the Boston Bruins defenseman, celebrated his overtime goal on May 10, 1970. Bobby Orr’s team was competing against the St. Louis Blues. After the finals, Bobby Orr became the MVP, and Boston Bruins got their first Cup while playing in the league for 29 years.
Bobby Orr
Joe Namath
In the match between Jets and Baltimore in the Super Bowl III on January 10, 1969, Joe Namath of the Jets QB told the reporters that his team would become the champion. People were shocked after the Jets had defeated the 18-point favorite Baltimore with a 16-7. After Joe’s performance in the Super Bowl III, the star of the Jets became the MVP.
Joe Namath
U.S. Hockey
In the Olympics on February 22, 1980, Nobody expected that the U.S. Hockey team would beat the undefeated Soviet Union. The U.S. team won their match with a score of 4-3. The shot of Mike Eruzion made the team win the game. The U.S. advanced into the next round, which they ended up winning, and earned a gold medal.
U.S. Hockey
Kerri Strug
At the Atlanta Olympics on July 23, 1996, Kerri Strug participated in the competition even though the athlete had an ankle injury. Kerri was injured in her first attempt, but the athlete held her pose after landing. The chance to get the gold medal for the team was at the hands of Kerri. Kerri might be struggling in her second attempt, but the athlete made sure to get the award.
Kerri Strug
Carmen Basilio And Tony DeMarco
In the match for the world welterweight title on November 30, 1955, Carmen Basilio and Tony DeMarco faced each other. At the end of the game, Carmen took down Tony in the 12th round. Carmen was carried by a person celebrating the victory. His opponent was lying on the floor and was checked by an individual if the boxer was okay.
Carmen Basilio And Tony DeMarco
Billy Kilmer And Manny Fernandez
In the Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973, Manny Fernandez, the Dolphins defensive lineman, jumped towards Billy Kilmer, the Redskins offensive lineman, to block the quarterback Billy Kilmer. After the game, Billy recorded 17 tackles, and the score ended in 14-7, which the Dolphins became the winner. Dolphins became the first team that became undefeated in the NFL season.
Billy Kilmer And Manny Fernandez
Wayne Gretzky
In Madison Square Garden in New York, Wayne Gretzky waved at the people on April 18, 1999. The professional Hockey player would be going to play his final match in the league. Wayne was playing in the team New York Ranger, and his final game was filled with people who came to watch his last game.
Wayne Gretzky
Usain Bolt
In the Beijing Olympics held on August 20, 2008, Usain Bolt, the well-known Jamaican sprinter, broke a world record in the 200-meter final. The sprinter finished the run with only 19.30 seconds. Before Usain participated in the 200-meter run, the sprinter also entered the 100-meter run, which the athlete again broke a world record.
Usain Bolt
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth, The New York Yankees outfielder or known as the Great Bambino, was seen together with many people. The athlete would usually use his time to be with his fans. The best record of the outfielder was in 1926. Babe’s average hit was .372, along with 47 home runs and 146 RBI.
Babe Ruth
Jack Nicklaus
In the Masters’ tournament on April 13, 1986, Jack Nicklaus embraced his win after successfully making a put. On Sunday’s match, Nicklaus shot a 65 that made him beat his opponent Tom Kite and Greg Norman. Jack participated in the tournament when the golfer was 46 years old. Jack was known as the most aged man who won a Masters’s game. It was the 18th win of Jack in the professional major.
Jack Nicklaus
Hank Aaron
In the Spring training on March 30, 1957, Hank Aaron, the Braves outfielder, began to run towards the first on the match. In the 1957 season, Aaron recorded his highest stat in the league with a home run of 44. Aaron also became the MVP in that season, and it was the only MVP award in his career as a hall of fame.
Hank Aaron
Reggie Bush
In the match between USC and UCLA on December 3, 2005, Reggie Bush, the USC running back, jumped over Marcus Cassel, UCLA defender, to get a touchdown. It was the best season for Bush which the running back got the 2005 Heisman Trophy. Sadly, officials revoked the award after the officials checked Bush that he was getting the illegal benefit when Bush played in the Trojans.
Reggie Bush
Penn State Football
In Notre Dame at Penn State on September 8, 2007, there was a declaration that the stadium would be ‘White Out’ or ‘White House.’ The stadium was filled with 110,078 people and recorded the second-largest attendance in Beaver Stadium history. Unfortunately, Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to the Nittany Lions after a 31-10 score.
Penn State Football
Mary Decker
In the 1984 Olympics, Mary Decker, who was known as a world champion, was involved in an accident with Britain’s Zola Budd Halfway through the competition. The two athletes participated in the 3,000-meter run. The two collide, which made Decker’s day terrible. Unfortunately for Budd, the runner came in seventh place.
Mary Decker
Maxwell Fornah And Victor Musa
In Sierra Leone, on April 6, 2006, Two of the participants chased the ball in Freetown. The two men were a part of the Single Leg Amputee Sports Club, and they were involved in a violent civil war. After the war had ended, a record of six thousand amputees was living in Sierra Leone.
Maxwell Fornah And Victor Musa
John McEnroe
At the match in Wimbledon on July 4, 1981, John McEnroe could not contain his emotion when the tennis player beat Bjorn Borg. The two fought in a game to become a champion and would bring home the Wimbledon title. John also participated in the tournament and became the champion in 1983 and 1984.
John McEnroe
Lynn Swann
At the Super Bowl X on January 18, 1976, Lynn Swann of the Steelers made a daredevil move when Swann tried to catch the ball over Mark Washington of the Cowboys. After Swann’s Super Bowl performance, the athlete became the MVP after receiving a catch for 161 yards. Swann also made a touchdown in the match. The result ended in a 21-17, in which Pittsburgh became the victor.
Lynn Swann
Bill Mazeroski
In-Game 7 of the Pirates and Yankees at World Series Game on October 13, 1960, Bill Mazeroski, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second baseman, hit a game-winning home run after Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees pitched the ball. Up to this day, it was known as the walk-off home in game 7.
Bill Mazeroski
Julius Erving
Julius Erving, who was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, made a historical dunk in January 1977. Nobody stopped when Julius leaped in the air and extended his arms for an emphatic one-handed dunk. The Philadelphia 76ers were facing the Denver Nuggets when the NBA star made a historical performance.
Julius Erving
John Kennedy And Lyndon Johnson
On the Opening Day of the Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., President John Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon participated in the event. Along with the people who came into the Griffith Stadium as they watch the performance. The Griffith Stadium was also known as the home to the expansion Senators.
John Kennedy And Lyndon Johnson
Jacques Plante
On the match between Canadiens and Rangers on December 18, 1957, it was the image of Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens goalie observing the movement of his team and opponent at Madison Square Garden. Jacques was the first NHL Goalie who decided to wear a goaltender mask. Jacques started practicing to wear a mask in the 1959-60 season.
Jacques Plante
John Havlicek And Chet Walker
In the Eastern Conference Finals on April 15, 1965, John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics took the ball from an inbound pass, leading to a score. It was a pass for Chet Walker, but the Celtics ensured the win after getting the ball because of the intercept. Havlicek’s team advanced to the NBA Finals, where they beat the Lakers in the series.
John Havlicek And Chet Walker
Phil Mickelson
In the Masters’ Tournament on April 11, 2004, Phil Mickelson jumped in joy after the golfer successfully did an 18-foot putt. It was a close victory at the Masters’ tournament, and Phil was known as the most outstanding player that did not win a major match. After Phil became the champion of the Masters, the golfer became the champion again in the tournament in 2006 and 2010.
Phil Mickelson
Pete Rose
In the match between the Reds and Cubs in August 1975, Pete Rose of Cincinnati dove into third base to secure safety. The location of the game was in Wrigley Field. Rose was one of the Baseball’s all-time hits leader which the player hit a 4-9 and got eight walks in the series.
Pete Rose
Roger Bannister
At the British Empire and Commonwealth Games on August 7, 1954, The first man who broke the four minutes in the mile was Roger Bannister. Roger was competing with John Landy, another person who had also broked the four. At the end of the competition, Roger ends up winning against the other competitors. Sports Illustrated also gave Roger the “Sportsman of the year” award.
Roger Bannister
Pittsburgh Pirates Fans
In the World Series held on October 13, 1960, the students at the University of Pittsburgh were cheering on the game. The students watched the game in the Forbes Field while on the campus’s Cathedral of Learning. They watched as the Pirate won the first World Series against the Yankees. In Game 7, Bill Mazeroski made a first walk-off home run in the series, in which the ball went over the left-field fence.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fans
Joe Namath 1974
At the match of Bills and Jets on December 8, 1974, Joe Namath of the New York Jets was pictured listening on the sidelines during the messiest game against the Buffalo Bills. After the match ended, The Jets beat the opposing team in a 20-10. Joe Namath helped his team when the athlete successfully ran 131 yards and made two passing touchdowns.
Joe Namath 1974
Nadia Comaneci
On August 2, 1976, Nadia Comaneci in Romania had performed a perfect somersault in Montreal’s competition at the Montreal summer Olympics. Comaneci was recorded as the first gymnast to be given a perfect score by the judges. Because of her performance, Nadia won three gold medals in the Summer Olympics.
Nadia Comaneci
Bob Cousy
At the match between the Pistons and Celtics on November 19, 1955, Bob Cousy, the Boston Celtics guard, passed through the Pistons’ defenders. It was a unique play that Cousy made in the match. The player would do a behind-the-back dribbling and no-look pass to his teammates. The guard caught everyone in the leagues’ attention, especially when he became an expert in that kind of playstyle.
Bob Cousy