The All American Sports IQ Test

Sporting News, The, August 2, 2004 by Matt Crossman

In what surely is the greatest reader service in the history of journalism, The All-American Sports IQ Test allows you to prove, once and for all, how smart you are.

Within these pages are 118 questions (and a few bonuses) about events large and small in sports history. Knowing the answers doesn't make you a genius, but it does make you a great person to have a Coke and a burger with--as long as you're not show-offy about knowing all this stuff.

Take the test, tally your score, revel in your greatness! One note of caution: This test is hard, so please, if you're going to measure your self-worth by how you do, take it three times, and use your highest score.

* The light bulbs with each question represent both the difficulty level and the number of points you receive for answering correctly.

1-6. * Of course you know the U.S. Olympic hockey team won the gold medal in 1980. But after all these years, do you recognize the men who pulled off the Miracle on Ice? Match the name with the face.

7. * What NBA team originally drafted Kobe Bryant?

8. * Mr. T is to Clubber Lang as Sylvester Stallone is to Rocky Balboa as Carl Weathers is to whom? 20-POINT BONUS: As Brigitte Nielsen is to whom? (Mrs. Drago is not acceptable.)

9. * Who was the first designated hitter?.

10. * In 1965, Bill Bradley was named outstanding player of the NCAA championship, though his basketball team did not win the title. For what school did he play?

11. * Which college has produced the most first-round picks in NFL draft history--Ohio State, Southern California or Miami?

12. * Name the quarterback who led the Bills to the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history, against the Houston Oilers, in January 1993.

13. * In your mind's eye, you can see N.C. State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano running around the court, looking for somebody to hug after his team won the NCAA championship. What year was that?

14. * By how many strokes did Tiger Woods win the 1997 Masters?

(A) 10

(B) 11

(C) 12

(D)13

15. ** Who is the only baseball player to throw a perfect game and later become a U.S. senator?

16. **** What NBA team traded Bill Russell to the Celtics?

17. ** Give the hometown and nickname of Paul Newman's team in Slap Shot. (Be careful on the hometown.)

18. **** The first Monday Night Football game was played on September 21, 1970. Who won?

19. * Before Lance Armstrong, this cyclist enjoyed the most success of any American in Tour de France history, winning it three times.

20. ** The original Dream Team won the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics. Who was the only player on the team with no NBA experience?

21. ** Name the first golfer to break the magic 60 barrier in a PGA tour event. (He shot a 59 in a 1977 tournament in Memphis.)

22. * Who has won the most men's Grand Slam tennis singles titles?

23. * Which manager won the most games in major league baseball history?

24. ** Who were the battery mates in Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" comedy routine? (Two points apiece, plus one bonus point for getting both.)

25. * Name the goalie who holds the NHL record for shutouts.

26. *** One player has died because of injuries sustained in a major league game--he was hit in the head by a pitch. Name him.

27. *** Four No. 15 seeds won their opening-round games in the NCAA Tournament. Which of these five teams did not do it?

(A) Hampton

(B) Coppin State

(C) Valparaiso

(D) Richmond

(E) Santa Clara

28. * In NASCAR, the device this man is holding is put on the carburetor to keep speeds down. What is it?

29. * Who is the only special teams player to win the Super Bowl MVP award?

30. * Fill in the blanks: If -- -- had made that 47-yard field-goal attempt at the end of Super Bowl 25, the 31. -- would have beaten the 32. -- by a score of 22-20. (One point apiece, plus one bonus point for getting all three.)

33. * Two teams have won five Super Bowls, tied for the most. Name them. (One point apiece, plus one bonus point for getting both.)

34. * Three teams have lost four Super Bowls, tied for the most. Name them. (One point apiece, plus one bonus point for getting all three.)

35. * What team has played in the most Super Bowls?

36. * Only one player has played on five Super Bowl champions. Name him.

37. * One man has played in the World Series and the Super Bowl. Name him.

38. * Who won Super Bowl 10?

39-43. * Match the driver with his Nextel Cup car. (One point apiece, plus one bonus point for getting all five.)

39. Rusty Wallace          [A] HAROLD HINSON FOR TSN

40. Jimmie Johnson         [B] HAROLD HINSON FOR TSN

41. Tony Stewart           [C] HAROLD HINSON FOR TSN

42. Casey Mears            [D] HAROLD HINSON FOR TSN

43. Dale Earnhardt Jr.     [E] BOB LEVERONE/TSN

LIGHTNING ROUND

* This is the only timed portion of the test. Give yourself two seconds for each of these questions.

48. Who won the 2003 World Series?

49. In what city and state is the Pro Football Hall of Fame located?

50. Who is the defending NASCAR Cup champion?

51. Who won the Stanley Cup in 2004?

52. Who won the NBA championship in 2003?

53. Who won the NCAA men's basketball championship in 2004?