The Olympic hockey game in 1980 revived a weakened and shaky pride in the American public, especially after the international and domestic crisis leading up to the game. After a brutal Vietnam war, a hostage crisis, a foreign invasion of Afghanistan, domestic economic suffering, and a domestic energy crisis, the lost American confidence was kindled in the nation, giving Americans hope and feelings of dominance compared to other countries. The American victory became a token of treasured history as the US defeated the nation that had been causing so much conflict with the US: the Soviet Union. The game's importance is not merely defined as a victory in US Olympic sport history, but national history as well, as it was a pivotal transformation in attitude after enduring the debilitating Cold War with communism and domestic problems as well. Sports Illustrated depicted the 1980 Olympic process of beating the USSR and going on to win the Gold medal as the number one sports moment of the 20th century. After the US defeated the Soviet Union and then Finland in the Gold Medal game, the team celebrated their pride in their nation and themselves by singing the National Anthem while up on the victory podium.Sports Illustrated named the team as "Sportsmen of the Year," Life Magazine described it as the "Sports Achievement of the Decade," and ABC Sports announcer Jim McCay claimed it was the "greatest upset in the history of sports."
The team, after their historical victory, made appearances in the White House and cities across the nation. They were plastered on Wheaties boxes, magazines, newspapers, and received a huge flow of awards and honors. Many of the players went on to play professional ice hockey, and a few went into business and other futures. They were all reunited during the Olympic games in Salt Lake City in 2002, where they were given the honor of lighting the Olympic torch to initiate the winter games. _ |
"They were really mentally tough and goal-oriented. They came from all different walks of life, many having competed against one another, but they came together and grew to be a real close team. I pushed this team really hard, I mean I really pushed them. But they had the ability to answer the bell" -Coach herb brooks after the team's win