"Do You Believe in Miracles?...Yes!"

I was only three years old when, in 1980, sportscaster Al Michaels uttered those magical words during the last five seconds of the Olympic hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union. Millions of Americans from all walks of life watched the game during prime time television, albeit tape delay, and witnessed the unthinkable: Team USA beat the heavily favored Soviet Union hockey team by a score of 4-3. I have no recollection of watching the game (I was probably sound asleep at the time). Nevertheless, over the years I have watched countless programs about that game, heard numerous stories from individuals who were present in the packed field house that evening, and watched the movie "Miracle" (which, in my opinion, is a must-see). Every time that I am reminded about the monumental accomplishment of Team USA, I cannot help but feel proud to be an American. The love that I have for my country oozes out. Many people consider this to be the best Olympic moment of all time. Not only do I concur with that analysis, but I also believe that this joyous occassion symbolizes just how sports can, even for a few hours, unite a country in patriotism and help us to momentarily forget all of our differences, all of our grudges, all of the many reasons why we, as a country, disagree with each other.   

In order to truly appreciate the significance of this event, you must understand what transpired prior to this epic showdown. In the 1970's and 1980's, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the depths of the Cold War. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. In protest of the Soviet Union's bold decision, then-President Jimmy Carter declared that the United States would not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. The Soviet Union would reciprocate in 1984 by boycotting the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. There was no love lost between these two super powers. This political animosity transferred into the sports arena.

Heading into the 1980 Winter Olympics, the Soviet Union was the super-power of ice hockey. Although their players were considered by the International Olympic Committee to be "amateurs", the Soviet players were technically professionals in their home country. The team had world class facilities at their disposal. If the Soviet Union did not come home with an Olympic gold medal in 1980, their country would consider them to be failures.

Team USA was composed of 20 true amateur hockey players, most of them hand picked from elite collegiate hockey programs across the country. Herb Brooks, a legendary coach and strict taskmaster, crushed any egos that any of the players may have had, worked his players to the brink of exhaustion and made a group of complete strangers gel into a team that had determination, grit and the desire to make their country proud.

Leading up to the Olympic games in Lake Placid, Team USA played 61 exhibition games against teams from within the United States and from Europe in a span of five months. The final exhibition game pit Team USA against the Soviet Union. Team USA got decimated by a score of 10-3 in front of a huge crowd in Madison Square Garden. The Soviet Union had no doubt in their minds that Team USA was not a threat to them winning their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Unbenkownest to the Soviets, Herb Brooks and Team USA had other plans.

Flash forward to Friday, February 22, 1980. The Olympic hockey match-up that Team USA hoped for came to fruition.  There was no way that Team USA was going to let the Soviet team beat up on them, especially on their home ice. The crowd was unbearably loud, singing "God Bless America", waiving the good old red, white and blue flags, and chanting the now famous "U-S-A, U-S-A". The Soviet team struck first, but Team USA came back to end the first period with the game tied 2-2. At the end of the second period the Soviets lead 3-2. Team USA had twenty minutes left to accomplish the biggest upset in history.

Team USA came out for the third period with the mindset that this was their moment, their time to shine. At the ten minute mark, Team USA had their first lead of the game at 4-3. I can only imagine how Team USA, the Soviet hockey team, their respective coaches, the crowd present in Lake Placid, and the millions of Americans huddled around their television sets felt as time slowly ticked off the clock. Team USA was in the zone. Every second that transpired was one more step to achieving the greatest upset in Olympic history. Finally the last ten seconds arrived. In an interview that I saw with Al Michaels about the "Miracle on Ice", he stated that when he knew Team USA had won the game he was trying feverishly to come up with the right words to say at the end of the game. What he said has become an iconic quote: "Do you believe in miracles?...Yes!" 

American pride was at its highest the moment the buzzer went off and Team USA rushed out onto the ice to celebrate. Celebrations occurred everywhere. Political animosity, differences of opinion, opposing philosophies among members of this great country dissipated. All that existed was pure joy. Team USA went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland.

Today we are once again faced with many divisions within our country, whether they are political, moral, spiritual or financial. The Cold War is over and the Soviet Union no longer exists. Atrocities are occurring in various parts of the world, including Libya, Afghanistan and Rwanda. It is easy for each of us to get caught up in the "bad" occurring in the world. However, we need to always remember two important things: we are Americans and we all hold our country near and dear to our hearts. There is no doubt that a miracle occurred when Team USA beat the Soviet Union. However, another miracle occurred: all of us became united as Americans. Sports has the power to do this. It has done it before and it will do it again. So do I believe in miracles? Yes, yes I do.