Miracle
I've never watched a hockey game in my life, but I was thrilled by the film Miracle and consider it to be one of the best sports films out there. I had come into this class, having already seen the film a few times, but it did not dull my experience. The event truly was a miracle and this film backs that up by providing an accurate interpretation of the team's chemistry and hockey matches. The games were by far the most interesting part of the movie. The matches were action packed, short, and suspenseful. Maybe a little over exaggerated, but they still captured my full attention. I consider the 1980 U.S Hockey Team to be one of the most significant underdogs in the history of sports. No one could believe a team that struggled so greatly in the beginning could win the entire olympics. I think this is a lesson for everyone to keep note of. Sports may never see such a huge upset ever again, but the lesson must be kept that anything is possible and miracles can happen.
The 1970's were a turbulent decade in American history and the 1980 U.S Hockey Team provided some relief and patriotism for struggling Americans. American patriotism had been lacking as a result of  the defeat in Vietnam, the watergate scandal, the economic slowdown, energy crisis and foreign failures such as the hostages in Iran and invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets. The Miracle on ice shifted public attitude in the United States and gave people a reason to feel good again. The U.S team came into the games expected to place 4th place at best. However, after a slow and rough start, the U.S team started to shock the world. The most influential and miraculous win in the games is considered to be the match against the Soviet Union, which resulted in a close 4-3 win over the Soviet Union. This is the match that gave the U.S the upper edge in the games and provided hope. After winning the Gold Medal, Americans had even more to feel good about. The success of the U.S team resulted in a resurgence of American Prestige .
I cannot provide a significant example of an event relating to sports having the same impact in my lifetime, but events such as what happened on September 11, 2001, greatly changed American attitude. After 9/11 American felt closer together and a greater sense of community. The event was not a positive one, but had some positive outcomes such as the increased security on U.S soil and the American people coming together as a nation in a time of grief.