The famous Statue of Liberty play that catapulted Boise State to a dramatic 43-42 victory over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl has reached the all-time top eight in ESPN's "Greatest Highlight" competition. The Greatest Highlight with Chris Berman is a chance for voters to help determine the all-time best highlight in a tournament-style setting.
The top 100 plays of all-time were originally chosen to compete and that field has been narrowed down to 16. Boise State's Statue of Liberty was pitted against Michael Jordan's famous shot in Game Six of the National Basketball Association's Finals that defeated the Utah Jazz and gave the title to the Chicago Bulls. The Bronco play was the winner with 57 percent of the vote and advanced Boise State into the top eight.
Currently, the Kirk Gibson home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers that defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 1988 World Series is competing against the Larry Bird steal and pass to Dennis Johnson that helped the Boston Celtics beat the Detroit Pistons in the 1987 NBA Finals.
Others in that side of the bracket include Mike Eruzione's dramatic go-ahead goal for the United States in their upset over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lynn Swann's acrobatic catch in the 1976 Super Bowl, Babe Ruth's 1932 "called shot" in the World Series, Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series, Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" in the 1972 NFL playoff game against Oakland and Bill Buckner's error in the 1986 World Series that ultimately gave the New York Mets the title.
On Boise State's side of the bracket, Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary" pass that defeated Miami in 1984 dominated Tiger Woods' chip shot that helped win his 2005 Masters with 72 percent support. Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run in 1974 that passed Babe Ruth defeated Carlton Fisk's game-winning home run for the Boston Red Sox in their 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds 60-40 percent. The California-Stanford football game in 1982 in which the band entered the field with the game still in progress was a winner over Christian Laettner's game-winning shot that gave Duke the NCAA National basketball championship over Kentucky with 69% of the vote.
Boise State's Statue of Liberty will face off against the Cal-Stanford game in the quarterfinals next Wednesday, February 20th. To vote, use this link: Statue
Of Liberty Vs. Cal-Stanford Game
The all-time Greatest Highlight will be decided Tuesday, February 26th on the web site.
Fans of Boise State find this amusing because in a vote last summer, they chose the "Hook and Lateral" play from the same game as a better play in Bronco history!