The Most Remarkable One-Hit-Wonders in Sport History

Sports are filled with unforgettable moments, incredible feats, and unforgettable performances. But sometimes, it’s the one-hit wonders which leave the biggest impression. These athletes may not have sustained long careers or achieved consistent success but still managed to make a significant impact in a single moment or event.

Whether it was a shocking upset, a record-breaking performance, or an unforgettable moment of greatness, these one-hit wonders left their mark on the world of sports. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the greatest one-hit wonders in sports history and the stories behind their memorable achievements.

Ickey Woods

The name Ickey Woods might sound pretty familiar. He was a football player for the Cincinnati Bengals back in 1988 and 1989. For his rookie season, he wowed the crowds by scoring a plethora of touchdowns. Every time he got a touchdown, he would pull out his signature victory dance, which was later called the “Ickey Shuffle.”

While everyone thought he was destined to be one of the greats, he ended up tearing the ACL in his knee. That benched him for 13 months and effectively put an end to his football career. While Ickey may no longer play football, that hasn’t stopped him from diversifying and becoming an entrepreneur.

David Tyree

One of the best catches ever made in the NFL was performed by none other than David Tyree. Tyree was playing for the New York Giants in the 42nd Superbowl when he saw the opportunity to catch the football. That catch would set up the team to make the touchdown that would allow them to beat the New England Patriots.

Tyree was not a well-known player when he made the catch, and it made him a household name for the year afterward. However, he suffered a knee injury and eventually left the world of football. He now owns his own healthy juice shop called Clean Juice.

Peyton Hillis

Another footballer that had a stellar season was Peyton Hillis. He played for the Cleveland Broncos back in 2010 and was a real powerhouse. Not only could he sprint for yards, but he was able to bulldoze through all of the other players in his way. Ultimately, all of that contact led to some wear and tore on his body, which resulted in multiple injuries.

For that one season, though, Hillis did manage to get to the thousand-yard mark. That would be the high point, and he hasn’t managed to crack 600 yards since.

Derek Anderson

It might be surprising to hear that some players are on this list, but when it comes to Derek Anderson, it’s not. He didn’t start out with the most illustrious team, going from Oregon State straight to the Baltimore Ravens, before making it onto the Cleveland Browns. As everyone knows, the Browns are not exactly known for winning Super Bowls.

Shockingly, Anderson did alright on the Browns in 2007 as the team’s starter. Anderson was given the opportunity to be in the Pro Bowl in 2008 when superstar Tom Brady bowed out. He has not enjoyed that kind of fanfare again.