Patron Saints of Sports Quiz | Wide World of Sports

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This National Football League rookie made a name for himself with one catch, the "Immaculate Reception". Who was this rookie Patron Saint who went on to NFL football Sainthood?

Answer: Franco Harris

Franco Harris was named the 1972 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He went on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was named Super Bowl MVP once. But he will always be remembered most for his catch, the "Immaculate Reception", and for this he has been canonized 'The Patron Saint of the Immaculate Reception'.

2. By the 'Hand of God', in one moment with one kick, in 1986, this soccer player gained immortality by kicking "The Goal of the Century". Who was this Argentinian player?

Answer: Diego Maradona

The "Hand of God" goal preceeded "The Goal of the Century" by four minutes and both were scored by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup match against England. The "Hand of God" goal created quite a controversy because replay clearly showed that Maradona touched the ball with his hand but the referee did not see the infraction and allowed the goal. For his ability to get away with one, Diego Maradona has been canonized the Patron Saint of the Hand of God.

3. This New York Giants player hit the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951. Who was this baseball player who spread the Good News in such a way?

Answer: Bobby Thomson

The "Shot Heard 'Round the World" is possibly the most famous home run in MLB history. With it Bobby Thomson secured the pennant for the Giants and became an instant celebrity. For his work in spreading the Gospel of Baseball with this feat, Thomson has been canonized The Patron Saint of the Gospel.

4. With the Patron Saint of the Hail Mary, the game was Boston College vs. Miami. The date was 1984. Who was the diminutive quarterback who threw the game winning Hail Mary?

Answer: Doug Flutie

Although not the first quarterback to throw a Hail Mary, that honor belongs to Roger Staubach, Doug Flutie's pass, christened the Hail Flutie, certainly is one of the most famous. The pass gave Boston College the win and cemented Flutie's claim to the Heisman Trophy.

The Flutie Effect or Flutie factor, in which college enrollment increases markedly after a sports victory, earns Flutie his canonization as The Patron Saint of the Hail Mary.

5. This next Saint rose to basketball greatness by scoring 100 points in a single game. What is the name of this towering giant?

Answer: Wilt Chamberlain

In basketball, there is a shot known as "throwing up a prayer" in which a player heaves the ball at the basket in desperation as time runs out. Well our Saint was so good he never had to resort to such tactics. Wilt Chamberlain not only scored 100 points in a single game, he also averaged 40 and 50 points in single seasons. For his consistent greatness he has been canonized as the Patron Saint of those Living on a Prayer.

6. Before this gymnast showed the world how it is done, no one knew what perfection was. She was the 'Patron Saint of Perfection' and the first to ever score a perfect 10. Who was this pint-sized dynamo?

Answer: Nadia Comaneci

Nadia Comaneci was the first to ever be awarded a perfect 10 in a Olympic gymnastic event. She is credited, along with Olga Korbut, with popularizing gymnastics around the world. Mary Lou Retton started gymnastics as a direct result of watching Comaneci on TV. Retton did her mentor proud by scoring two perfect 10s in the 1984 Olympics. For her feat of perfection and her promotion of gymnastics, Comaneci has been canonized the Patron Saint of Perfection.

7. To guarantee victory before a game, the idea is preposterous. But this Patron Saint of the improbable promise did that and delivered. Who was this brash young quarterback?

Answer: Joe Namath

Three days before Super Bowl III, a game in which his team was a huge underdog, Joe Namath famously said, "We're gonna win the game. I guarantee it." Namath went on to become the Super Bowl MVP on route to leading his team to the improbable victory (NY Jets, an AFL team, beat Baltimore Colts, an NFL team, 16-7). Before turning pro, Namath also led his college team, Alabama under legendary coach Bear Bryant, to a National Championship. For these feats of daring do, Namath has been canonized the Patron Saint of the Improbable Promise.

8. This swimmer must swim in holy water. What else would explain his dominance as the Patron Saint of Baptism? He surpassed Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in one Olympics by winning eight in 2008. Who is this man who seems to walk on water or at least fly through it?

Answer: Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps' achievements warranted Sainthood. His physiology helped him in the water. In 2004, he won six gold medals in Athens. He followed that up by winning eight in Beijing. For these achievements he has been canonized the Patron Saint of Baptism.

9. In 1954, baseball witnessed a miracle of biblical proportions. It is simply known as "The Catch". Which baseball player sealed his name in baseball history as the Patron Saint of the Rosary by making this play?

Answer: Willie Mays

"The Say Hey Kid", Willie Mays, made "The Catch", robbing the Cleveland Indians of a chance to take the lead in the ninth inning. His team then won it in the 10th. He was a 12-time Golden Glove winner, two time NL MVP, and two time All-Star Game MVP. It is folklore that the Catholic Rosary has 108 beads and a baseball has 108 stitches. For our purposes we will assume this is true.

Therefore, Willie Mays is canonized The Patron Saint of The Rosary for making "The Catch".

10. This player was nicknamed "The Minister of Defense" during his playing days in college because he was an ordained Evangelical minister. But he proved to be well worthy of the title by the stats he compiled sacking QBs in the NFL as the Patron Saint of The Armor of God. Can you name this Saint?

Answer: Reggie White

Reggie White went to the Pro Bowl 13 straight years. In 1986, he was named the Pro Bowl MVP. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1985. In Super Bowl XXXI he made a record three sacks. He retired as the all-time sack leader with a total of 198 sacks. For his contributions both on and off the field, Reggie White is canonized as The Patron Saint of the Armor of God.

Source: Author tazman6619

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Patron Saints of Sports Trivia Quiz

Ever been praying for your team to win a game? Well try one of these patron Saints the next time you find yourself in this predicament. This is a light-hearted quiz meant to be fun. I hope you enjoy it.

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