Remembering some strange coin tosses in sports
The coin flip is a simple yet impactful moment in sports that can often determine the outcome of a game or even a championship. As Americans head to the polls to decide their next president, let’s take a look at some famous coin flip moments in sports history.
Coin flips have been a regular occurrence in various sports, from tennis to soccer to cricket. In tennis, the coin flip decides who serves first, while in soccer, it determines which team kicks first in a shootout. In cricket, the winner of the coin toss chooses whether to bat or bowl first.
One of the most famous instances of a coin flip settling a tie came during the 1968 European Championship in soccer. With Italy and the Soviet Union deadlocked after extra time, a coin flip determined Italy’s advancement. They went on to win the championship, showcasing the importance of a simple coin toss in sports history.
In North American team sports, football is the primary sport that utilizes coin flips regularly. Before a game, the team that wins the toss can choose to receive the opening kickoff, kick the ball away, defend a certain endzone, or defer their option to the second half.
The NFL even includes a coin toss as a tiebreaker in their criteria for breaking a tie in the standings, although it is rarely used. The NHL, NBA, and MLB do not currently use coin flips as tiebreakers, but the NBA once used a coin flip to determine draft order, leading to Magic Johnson landing with the Lakers in 1979.
Some memorable coin flip moments include Jerome Bettis’ “tails fails” incident in 1998, where a mistaken call by a referee led to a controversial outcome. Joe Namath also made headlines at Super Bowl XLVIII with his premature coin flip attempt, saved by a quick-thinking referee. The XFL’s “human coin toss” experiment in 2001 ended in injury, showcasing the risks of innovative approaches to the traditional coin flip.
In the NHL, the use of a carnival-style wheel to determine draft order in 1970 added a unique twist to the typical coin flip. The confusion surrounding the wheel’s outcome led to a memorable draft selection that shaped the future of the league.
The tradition of coin flips in sports is a fascinating aspect of the game, showcasing the importance of chance and luck in determining outcomes. As Americans await the results of their election, let’s remember the impact of a simple coin flip in the world of sports.
