Theres no doubt that sports are an integral part of our shared human experience. They bring people together, inspire us and even unite nations. But what happens when sports moments transcend the field and become viral? Whether it’s a hockey goal that goes viral in slow motion or a football trick play that breaks the internet, big social media moments can impact the world in unexpected ways.
When it comes to viral sports moments, sometimes all you need is a little luck. And that’s exactly what happened when Freddie Andrews decided to slide down the metal divider between two escalators in the London Underground after a night of drinking. What followed was a series of memes and a worldwide public shaming for the amateur athlete.
Other times, a brand can engineer their way into the limelight with a quick and nimble approach. This was the case when Molson Coors and independent creative agency Rethink seized an opportunity when Shohei Ohtani knocked out some LED lights in their stadium ad, turning a sports mishap into a winning campaign.
It’s no secret that the Olympics are home to many viral sports moments. This year’s Games saw everything from “pommel horse guy” earning a bronze medal and going on “Dancing with the Stars,” to WNBA player Ilona Maher rumbling over Aussies and Olympic gold medalist Steph Curry accidentally giving himself the nickname John Wick.
