20 Craziest Plays That Look Fake but Were 100% Real
Some sports moments are so unreal that they look scripted, but these 20 plays actually happened—defying logic, gravity, and belief.
- Alyana Aguja
- 7 min read
There are some sports moments which are so preposterous they appear to be fabricated—like bugs in the real world—but they did occur. From last-minute miracles to impossible moves against the laws of physics, such plays left fans, announcers, and even players completely gobsmacked. Whether one is a miraculous catch, an implausible goal, or a video game-style trick play, these 20 moments are evidence that sometimes reality is more bizarre than fiction.
1. The Immaculate Reception (1972, NFL)
Image from Pro Football Hall of Fame
Down 22 seconds, the Steelers’ Terry Bradshaw launched a desperate pass that bounced off a defender. Franco Harris appeared out of nowhere to snag it just in time as it was about to hit the turf and run into the end zone. To this day, folks argue whether it was a legal catch, but it stood and is one of the most legendary plays in NFL history.
2. The Butt Fumble (2012, NFL)
Image from ABC News
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez scrambled on a busted play and accidentally ran straight into the backside of his own teammate. The collision dislodged the ball, and the Patriots recovered it for a touchdown. It was so absurd that it became an all-time blooper, replayed over and over as a sign of complete disaster.
3. Auburn’s Kick Six (2013, College Football)
Image from Montgomery Advertiser
With one kick remaining, Alabama tried a 57-yard field goal to tie. The kick sailed short, and Auburn’s Chris Davis picked it up in the end zone, setting off on a 109-yard dash for a stunning, game-winning touchdown. The stadium erupted upon his crossing the goal line, solidifying one of the all-time greatest finishes in football history.
4. The Hand of God (1986, World Cup)
Image from The Guardian
Diego Maradona punched the ball into England’s goal in a blatant manner, but the referee did not see it and awarded a goal. The Argentine great later said it was “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The goal was allowed to stand, and Maradona scored the “Goal of the Century” just a few minutes later.
5. The Stanford Band Play (1982, College Football)
Image from Stanford Report - Stanford University
With no time to spare, Cal tried a hail of last-resort laterals against Stanford. Weaving in and out of mayhem, the Stanford band—believing the game to be over—rushed out onto the field. Cal somehow made it to the end zone, sliding past both ballplayers and members of the Stanford band, delivering one of the most ridiculous touchdowns in history.
6. The No-Look, Behind-the-Back Free Throw (2024, NBA G League)
Image from Wikipedia
Mac McClung, whose dunks often reach the heights, executed a crazy trick shot in a game. He was at the free-throw line, turned, and just flicked the ball over his head—and somehow, it went through the hoop. Even the commentators were left dumbfounded by the sheer gall and precision of the shot.
7. Derek Jeter’s Flip Play (2001, MLB Playoffs)
Image from Society for American Baseball Research
A wild outfield throw in a pivotal playoff game appeared to seal the Yankees’ fate. Shortstop Derek Jeter, out of nowhere, ran across the field, intercepted the ball, and flipped it just right to the catcher, tagging the runner out. The impossible chain of events preserved the season for the Yankees and would go on to be one of baseball’s all-time greatest defensive plays.
8. The Miracle on Ice (1980, Olympics, Hockey)
Image from Los Angeles Times
The USA, a group of amateurs, took on the invincible Soviet Union. In some way, they outplayed the champions, with goaltender Jim Craig making save after save. As soon as the final buzzer went off, the announcer yelled, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
9. The Alley-Oop Buzzer-Beater (2016, NBA Playoffs)
Image from Cardiac Hill
The Oklahoma City Thunder had 0.1 seconds remaining, just enough time for a tip-in but not catch-and-shoot. Steven Adams launched a perfect out-of-bounds lob, and Russell Westbrook apparently tapped it in midair as the buzzer sounded. The impossible timing made the play appear as a video game glitch.
10. The Behind-the-Head Bicycle Kick (2018, Champions League Final)
Image from ESPN.com
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale amazed the world with a seemingly defying bicycle kick against Liverpool. Moving backward, he caught the ball in mid-air and kicked it like a missile into the net. Even opposing spectators couldn’t help but applaud one of the prettiest goals in the history of soccer.
11. Marshawn Lynch’s Beast Quake (2011, NFL Playoffs)
Image from Wikipedia
Lynch plowed through the whole Saints defense, breaking tackle after tackle. At one point, he stiff-armed one defender into nowhere before leaping into the end zone. The stadium’s deafening sound caused a minor earthquake on seismic equipment.
12. The Phantom Punch (1965, Boxing)
Image from LIFE
Muhammad Ali landed a punch so fast that people barely saw it. Sonny Liston collapsed to the mat, leading to one of the most controversial knockouts in boxing history. To this day, some believe it was a dive, but slow-motion footage proves Ali’s speed and precision were unreal.
13. The Air Jordan Free-Throw Line Dunk (1988, NBA Dunk Contest)
Image from NBC Sports
Michael Jordan took off from the free-throw line, soared through the air, and slammed it home. The image of him seemingly levitating remains one of basketball’s most iconic moments. The slow-motion replay looks like something out of a CGI movie.
14. Lionel Messi’s Gravity-Defying Dribble (2007, Copa del Rey)
Image from Sport360
Messi collected the ball in midfield and tore apart a whole team’s defense in seconds. He slalomed past six hapless defenders before putting the ball into the net. The move was a carbon copy of Maradona’s 1986 “Goal of the Century,” showing Messi was from another world.
15. The Hidden Ball Trick (2013, MLB)
Image from MLB.com
Third baseman Todd Helton ambled toward the runner while clutching the ball in his glove. The runner, assuming the play was over, took a step off the base—before Helton tagged him out immediately. The maneuver was so silky smooth that even the commentators didn’t immediately pick up on it.
16. The Longest Hail Mary Ever (2020, NFL)
Image from CBS Sports
Kyler Murray rolled left, dodged defenders, and threw a 55-yard bomb as the clock ran out. DeAndre Hopkins, three defenders in his face, jumped up and managed to catch it with one hand. The play, referred to as the “Hail Murray,” was physically impossible-looking.
17. The Tiger Woods Chip-In (2005, Masters)
Image from Bunkered
Tiger’s drive from the rough trickled slowly toward the hole, coming to rest exactly at the lip. For an instant, the ball resisted physics—then, as if on the script, fell in. The crowd’s roar was thunderous, consecrating one of golf’s most unforgettable moments.
18. The Triple Play That Shouldn’t Have Happened (2016, MLB)
Image from MLB.com
With bases loaded, the Seattle Mariners miraculously pulled off a ridiculous triple play. The ball deflected off a fielder’s glove, was caught in flight, and then threw around the horn for three outs. The play was so quirky that even the umpires needed to double-check what had just transpired.
19. The No-Look, Behind-the-Back Assist (2019, NBA)
Image from Wikipedia
Nikola Jokić, under heavy pressure, fired a full-court pass behind his head to a teammate for an easy bucket. The pass looked like something out of NBA Street, but it was completely real. Even the defender he passed over just stood in shock.
20. The Miracle at Michigan (1994, College Football)
Image from USA Today
With one second remaining, Colorado required a miracle from 64 yards. Kordell Stewart threw a moonshot pass that somehow fell into the hands of Michael Westbrook for a walk-off touchdown. It remains one of the all-time greatest Hail Marys in football history.