Misconduct | What is the sporting “resurrection” that has impacted you the most?

I appreciate each of my colleagues. Mainly because they tolerate my affection for pre-referendum Quebec series. However, no answer this week will be more valid or legitimate than Tiger Woods’ victory in 2019. A lasting memory for all golf lovers. For me, that moment happened in the basement of the family home, with my father sitting to my right. At the same time, I was preparing a presentation on the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Museum for an advertising course at university. The next day, my grandmother passed away. And all of that is true. In short, this unlikely triumph of the Tiger holds a special place in my heart. I even remember having a wet eye. After all the fuss over his marital troubles, countless back and leg injuries and surgeries, and 11 years after his last major title, Woods came from behind in the weekend rounds ahead of players in their prime. to make golf history again. He was not to win this tournament. But when it is red, anything is possible.

It’s hard to miss Mario Lemieux. His first retirement had been precipitated by cancer, followed by severe back problems. The greatest hockey player in the history of mankind had to hang up his skates before having reached all possible records, as he should have. Three years after his last game, Lemieux returns to the game, Hall of Famer, and new owner (and savior) of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not only would he score 76 points in 43 games in 2000-01, but he would propel the Penguins to the Eastern Finals (a loss to the mighty Devils). In Game 6 of the Eastern Semi-Final Series against the Sabres, Lemieux would also pull off the feat of saving the Penguins again, then 1:18 from elimination. Probably the best comment of Yvon Pedneault’s career: “Mario Lemieux saved the Penguins off the ice, he just saved them on the ice too!” »

A popular belief, notably (and especially) kept alive by Richard Labbé, is that the 3-0 lead is the hardest to protect in hockey. There is, however, a relative consensus on the difference of five goals. Late by 0-5, this famous February 19, 2008, the Canadian was considered dead. More dead than dead, in fact. The stands at the Bell Center were emptying, and no one can be blamed for believing that life would be better at home. But we know the rest. Two goals from Michael Ryder, one from Mark Streit and two from Alex Kovalev. We go to overtime, then to a shootout. Saku Koivu outsmarts Henrik Lundqvist and Cristobal Huet stands in front of Jaromir Jagr. A historic comeback, unheard of in the history of the club. The resurrection of all resurrections. Easter before Easter. Everyone remembers where he or she was that night. Me ? Thanks for asking. I was in the basement of a college bar watching an improv match that was nothing historic. Don’t ask me if it was a good show, it makes me too emotional…

The quotes won’t be necessary for this answer, since I’m taking the question at face value. The return of Christian Eriksen, who died for “five minutes” in a Euros duel between Denmark and Finland in June 2021, is a real renaissance. The scene was appalling. The Dane collapsed, alone, on the lawn and his teammates and opponents were either dumbfounded or super reactive, as was Simon Kjær. Not only is Eriksen’s recovery a comeback in itself, but he’s managed to get back to his former form. After the incident, the former Tottenham Hotspurs glory was released by Inter Milan as he had an automatic defibrillator implanted – which is prohibited by Italian health regulations. The former Danish captain returned to action on March 26, 2022 with Brentford in the Premier League. After a successful season, he signed a three-year deal with Manchester United where he started 18 of the first 20 Premier League games this season before suffering an ankle injury. Just finding him on the pitch was surreal, seeing him back at the top of his game is dreamlike.

Rick Ankiel was a phenomenon. In 2000, at just 20 years old, he was terrorizing major league hitters with his fastballs. His strikeout ratio per innings pitched was the second-best in the entire National League. To put the feat into context, the youngest pitcher in the majors this season is 23. However, in the series of the year 2000, Ankiel lost the marble. Literally. In his first outing, he commits nine bad throws. The next time, he didn’t even complete the first inning, after throwing five throws out of reach for his catcher. It is already the beginning of the end of his career as a pitcher. We will not see him again on the mound for about ten games thereafter. Against all expectations, Ankiel reappears in 2007. But not as a pitcher. As an outfielder. And it becomes phenomenal again. That summer, he hit 11 home runs in just 190 appearances. In 2008, he did even better, with 25 home runs. He eventually stayed in the big leagues until 2013. His story inspired the movie The Phenom, starring Ethan Hawke.

And you, which “resurrection” of an athlete or sports team has affected you the most and why?