Moments That Define Sports
I’ve mentioned this before because there are certain moments in sports that truly stand out—perhaps only second to when your favorite team triumphs in a championship. There’s really no perfect terminology for it, but I think referring to it as a “sacred cow” just doesn’t capture its essence. In fact, calling it a “holy smoke!” moment feels more fitting.
These moments are undeniably “sacred” and demand an emphatic description—maybe even something like “HOLY *#&@#!”
Picture Duke University’s Caden Boozer with the basketball as time runs out. Two defenders are trying hard to prevent any mistakes without fouling him. So, Boozer basically has three choices: hold on to the ball for the final seconds; pass it to one of his two wide-open teammates; or, well, toss it up as time expires—though I can’t recall anyone ever doing that.
Just moments later, one of the Huskies defenders deflected the ball. Time was still ticking away, and then senior Alex Karavan made a savvy choice. Instead of being a hero, he passed to freshman Braylon Mullins, who had been struggling all day. But, unexpectedly, Mullins launched a shot from 35 feet away.
And he nailed it.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you’re a priest, rabbi, or preacher. Whether you’re trying to keep your language clean or just scolded kids using some colorful words, the only thing that truly matters at that moment is your reaction when the ball swishes through the net.
Holy [BLEEP]/*#&@#/S–T!!!
(Unless you happen to be Danny Hurley’s mother, who might have some special reactions we won’t go into.)
These are the moments when all those endless rivalries—Yankees vs. Twins, Knicks vs. Wizards, Jets versus Giants—finally pay off. Sometimes, what you witness compels you to stand up and shout.
Take Braylon Mullins, for instance; he had the power to make Duke fans rejoice.
We’ve seen similar moments before—like when Christian Laettner made a game-winning shot against Kentucky, or U.S. Reid’s half-court buzzer-beater that flipped the scoreboard. There was that famous shot from Lorenzo Charles in Albuquerque, where the buzzer sound prompted Jim Valvano to hop around looking for someone to celebrate with.
And it’s not just about college basketball. Sometimes, players like Tyrese Haliburton hit just the right spot at Madison Square Garden, while David Tyree once famously trapped a ball on his helmet. There are moments like when Larry Johnson scores while getting fouled, or Case Keenum connecting with Stefon Diggs at the playoff’s last tick, bringing pure joy to Minneapolis.
These moments don’t happen frequently. Yet, they bring to mind iconic phrases: Mazeroski, Manningham, kick six, Music City Miracle. It’s a whirlwind of shared memories.
However, there’s a distinction. There are “HOLY [BLEEP]/*#&@#/S-T!!!” moments and then there are “oh no/[bleep]!” moments. Boozer’s slip might hover between; it was an “oh no” moment reminiscent of when Bill Buckner let a ball slip through his legs or when Scott Norwood’s kick went astray.
Moreover, to truly merit that HOLY status, the team’s victory is essential. Sorry, Jerry West; your half-court attempt in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals doesn’t cut it here. Sorry, Endy Chavez. Sorry, Sean Woods for that incredible shot that nearly made history before Laettner rewrote it forever.
We’ve come to treat this as a golden rule of sorts. And finally, it seems we have a worthy successor in defining what makes a moment truly holy. It’s certainly never too late to celebrate those remarkable instances.
