Sports’ 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list)
Michael vick is a starter once again.
We all love comeback stories. It’s understandable if not everybody in Atlanta is completely embracing the Michael Vick comeback story. But if Vick’s sudden ascent to starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback turns out to be not just an aberration for the rest of his NFL career, his return to the top will go down as one of the most remarkable comeback stories in sports history.
I would put Vick’s comeback as No. 4 all-time. You may put him higher, or lower, or not at all. But here are my top 5.
♦ 1. Muhammad Ali: He was the heavyweight champion when being the heavyweight champion meant something. But he was stripped of his title after refusing induction into the army in 1967 because, as he said, “I ain’t got no quarrel against no Viet Cong.” When Ali returned to the ring three years and seven months later in Atlanta, he
Muhammad Ali: Stopped Jerry Quarry after a 3 1/2-year absence.
dropped Jerry Quarry in three rounds and eventually regained the WBA and WBC championship by knocking out George Foreman.
♦ 2. Ted Williams: He hit .327, .344, .406 and .356 in his first four major league seasons. Then he left after the 1942 season to fly as a fighter pilot in World War II, came back in 1946 and won his first of two MVP awards and the Triple Crown in 1947. He left again to fight in the Korean War, came back and immediately became an All-Star.
Ted Williams: Fighter pilot in World War II and Korea.
♦ 3. Mario Lemieux: The former Pittsburgh Penguins great took a year off (his first exit). He came back from radiation treatments and surgery for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (as well as two back surgeries). He “retired” for the first time in 1997 – despite winning the scoring title that year with a 50-goal, 122-point season. Three and a half years later, he decided to come back and had an immediate impact: 35 goals and 76 points in only 43 games in the 2000-01 season. He had a goal and two assists in his first game back.
♦ 4. Michael Vick: No athlete lost more than Vick when he went to prison, and I’m including Mike Tyson, when you take into account NFL salary, off-the-field income, career stature and personal stature. Vick’s wounds obviously were self-inflicted, but that
Mario Lemieux scored in his first game back.
makes his return to starter even more impressive because it shows he has matured and overcome personal demons.
♦ 5. Ben Hogan: Last April, Tiger Woods compared his comeback from a sex scandal to Hogan’s comeback from nearly dying in a car crash. Woods didn’t put his foot in his mouth, he put an entire shoe store in his mouth. Hogan, like Williams, missed two years on the PGA Tour to serve in War World II. But his most stunning return followed a head-on car collision with a bus in Texas in 1949. He suffered a fractured collar bone, double-fracture of the pelvis, fractures in his ankle and ribs and near-fatal blood clots. He spent two months in the hospital. Then he returned and won two Masters, three U.S. Opens and the British Open between 1950 and 1953.
You’ll notice I’m not including athletes who come back from normal sports injuries. Others high on my list included: George Foreman (boxing), Dara Torres (swimming), Michael Jordan (basketball) and Gordie Howe (hockey).
So where would you rank Vick’s ascent back to starter?
♦
SACK SCHULTZ: I’ll have an update on my slow climb to No. 1 later this week. Meanwhile, there’s still time to join the fun. Click here for more info on the weekly college football picks contest and then sign up at ajc.com/go/sack-schultz.
♦
Last few posts, on demand
♦ Richt not worried about Georgia players being in funk (yet)
♦ McGarity still calm amid storm, expresses confidence in Richt
♦ Braves’ biggest problem may be Rockies, not Phillies
♦ Matt Ryan overcomes hellish week (not that he noticed)
♦
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222 comments Add your comment
Old Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
As much as I respect Michael Vick for getting his life and career back on track, I have to go with Lance Armstrong’s return after cancer. His accomplishments in cycling and his sense of community service are amazing. I lost my only child to leukemia. I witnessed the struggle through every dose of chemotherapy, bone marrow samples etc. I don’t know the treatment plan for Armstrong’s form of cancer, but chemo isn’t for sissies. If you can live through that and win any race, much less the Tour de France, it ranks as one of the greatest comebacks ever.
I’d put him at No.1 and take Vick off the list. Great as his story is, his banishment from the game was self-inflicted.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:28 pm
If we’re just gonna throw out names…..can i suggest John Daly (golfer)
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
Old Dawg,
He was banished and made a “comeback.” Which is the purpose of this blog. He belongs on the list.
BzB
September 22nd, 2010
3:31 pm
billy ray,
you may have missed a key word in my post. that key word being “some”. i suppose the hit dog barks the loudest, right? …and you cannot convince me for a split second that a lot of the people ragging on vick for what he did are not hypocrites.
i’m not saying people should like vick or forgive him, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. i just find it interesting how people continue to spew hate while turning a blind eye to their hypocritical lifestyles and giving others a pass for much worse offenses….whether they were convicted of those offenses or not.
the truth is that many people still hope, pray, and wish for vick to be a failure for the rest of his life like second chances shouldn’t exist. SOME of these people are the same ones that go hunting/fishing on the weekend and wear the fur hats/coats in the winter. SOME of these people are the same christian folk that go to church every sunday and nod their heads in agreement when the preacher talks about redemption and forgiveness, only to apply those tenets selectively.
that said, i agree with js that vick’s return to top form has been most remarkable.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:31 pm
I agree with Jimmie
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:33 pm
Great Post BzB!!!!!!!!1
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
3:35 pm
Billy Ray..Pimped out car??? What kind of stereotype statement was that??
kool$kat
September 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
jeff, dude, I like your work. usually. Ali was a great fighter and showman. BUT, a draft dodger. And you put him ahead of Teddy Ballgame???
No No No No NO! Methinks Ted breaks Ruth’s record and sets others if he doesn’t miss those years. Cassius Clay shoulda never been allowed back in the ring, under any name or circumstances.
Vick served his time, and kudos to him for whatever he is able to accomplish now.
Can Falcons and ‘D block’ defense contain Saints? | Jeff Schultz
September 22nd, 2010
3:41 pm
[...] ♦ Sports’ 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list) [...]
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
Kool$kat..You must be some jack%$#@ from the 40’s Cassius Clay, the great man’s name is Muhammad Ali Have you ever been in a fight? Try not fighting for 4ys and then coming back to beat the best that the sport hads to offer.Ted Williams was able to take batting practice when he wasn’t flying.
DAWGLOVER
September 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
Jeff,
I’m ashamed to even have read this piece of um…article. Anyone who buys an Eagles ticket is personally promoting the torture, rape, and murder of innocent animals. This guy deserves to work in a Waffle House the rest of his life. If I had a felony, any felony, I would not be able to keep my decent paying job and would have to wait tables somewhere if I were lucky. How is it that these ignorant violent animals can get a job again making millions after they have spent time in prison for violent acts??? This comeback, if you really want to call it that after 6 quarters of play, should have never happened in the first place. Seriously Jeff??? NUMBER 4??? I’m going back to Bradley’s column…he seems to speak out of the correct orifice.
dNice
September 22nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Sigh…Vick does not play in Atlanta anymore….give it a rest. Ryan and the Falcons played a great game last weekend. Why can’t we build off of that momentum into the next game?
BET
September 22nd, 2010
4:04 pm
You folks in ALT have to be the sorriest sports fans on earth. I can’t believe your’re still talking negative about a man that paid his dues turned his life around and will likely out play Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Some of you are just full of hate and I wish you would stay away from these blogs with all the hate. I wish MV7 all the best for himself, his family and all the folks he’s making a positive impact on with his maturation.
later haters!!!
Jacket 89
September 22nd, 2010
5:04 pm
BET, wonder if the animals he tortured and killed agree that Vick has paid his dues? Hmmmm. Vick will throw three interceptions next week against real competition and you supports will go back in your holes without a peep. The move to a mobile qb is dead, look at today’s successful qbs and trends in drafting. The Falcon WRs were constantly criticized until a real QB came to town.
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
5:15 pm
Jacket 89… Go back in your hole.
Jacket 89
September 22nd, 2010
5:29 pm
Only if you join me Jimmie, you sweet pile of lard.
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
That not what your dike mother said.B—h
Tweets that mention Sports' 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
September 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AJC , Jessie Payton, Kate Fullcot, Jo Pastner, Football and others. Football said: Sports' 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list): You'll notice I'm not including athletes who come back … http://bit.ly/9Z08X2 [...]
Tweets that mention Sports' 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
September 24th, 2010
6:04 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Enrique James, How I C It Sports and Nubyjas Wilborn, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Retweeting from late night: My 5 most remarkable comeback stories (#Vick included). http://bit.ly/cRM8Hj [...]
dub366
September 24th, 2010
6:36 am
Vick could care less what everybody think of him now. He’s a starter and that what count. i don’t know why everyone so mad ,because he TOOK the starting job from Kolbs.
Tee
September 24th, 2010
12:08 pm
Whats sad is the haters will be praying Vick plays badly and as soon as he throws 2 INTs they will stay up and blog all night. But guys like Joe Flacco and Matt Cassel can throw 3 or 4 INTs weekly and nothing will be said!!
Rusty
September 25th, 2010
12:49 am
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but I believe Ben Hogan’s wife Valerie was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash, and that Mr. Hogan lunged over his wife’s body to protect her as the crash occurred. It really is a beautiful story. It is very ironic that Tiger tried to compare his comeback to Mr. Hogan’s because Mr. Hogan tried to protect his wife in the crash, while Tiger hurt his wife and family by committing adultery. Of course there are all the majors Mr. Hogan won after the crash. What an insult to Mr. Hogan for Tiger to compare his comeback to that.