There’s nothing quite like a great comeback. When an athlete falls hard—whether it’s due to injury, scandal, or just plain bad luck—and then finds a way to rise again, it taps into everything we love about sports.
These 30 athletes remind us that the story doesn’t end with a setback. Sometimes, the most unforgettable moments come after everything seems lost.
30. Josh Hamilton
From battling addiction to becoming an MVP, Josh Hamilton’s comeback was nothing short of miraculous. His bat caught fire just when everyone thought his career was over.
29. Serena Williams
After multiple injuries, surgeries, and a life-threatening childbirth, Serena stormed back to dominate again. She reminded the world that greatness doesn’t fade—it evolves.
28. Peyton Manning
Neck surgery nearly ended his career, but Peyton came back to win MVPs and a Super Bowl. Not bad for a guy who couldn’t throw a football for months.
27. Tiger Woods
Everyone counted him out after his scandals and injuries, but Tiger clawed his way back to win the 2019 Masters. It was the comeback golf didn’t know it needed.
26. George Foreman
He left boxing, found God, sold grills, and then won a heavyweight title at 45. That’s not just a comeback—it’s a lifetime achievement award.
25. Bethany Hamilton
Losing her arm in a shark attack could’ve ended her surfing dreams, but Bethany got back on the board. And she didn’t just surf—she competed with the best.
24. Adrian Peterson
A torn ACL usually slows a running back down, but Peterson nearly broke the single-season rushing record the next year. He ran like he had something to prove—and he did.
23. Alex Smith
After nearly losing his leg, Alex Smith returned to the NFL and actually played again. Just stepping onto the field felt like a win.
22. Monica Seles
Stabbed on the court in a horrifying incident, Monica returned to professional tennis and even won more titles. Her resilience was as impressive as her forehand.
21. Lance Armstrong
Yes, the story got messy later, but after surviving cancer, his Tour de France domination stunned the world. It was the comeback heard round the globe—even if it came with a massive asterisk.
20. Mario Lemieux
He beat cancer and came out of retirement just to keep scoring goals like it was nothing. The man turned “comeback” into an art form.
19. Muhammad Ali
Stripped of his title and exiled from boxing, Ali came back to reclaim his crown. The man floated, stung, and rose from the ashes.
18. Kurt Warner
He went from stocking grocery shelves to Super Bowl MVP. That leap should be studied by physicists.
17. Jennifer Capriati
She burned out early, disappeared from tennis, and then reemerged to win Grand Slams. Her second act was even better than her first.
16. Eric Abidal
Diagnosed with liver cancer, he fought his way back to play in a Champions League Final. His comeback was a symbol of strength for fans everywhere.
15. John Daly
Between the gambling, drinking, and chaos, Daly’s career was a rollercoaster. But every time he teed it up again, people couldn’t help but root for him.
14. Chris Andersen
“Birdman” went from NBA exile and drug suspensions to a key piece on a championship team. Tattoos, rebounds, redemption.
13. Kerri Strug
After injuring her ankle, she still stuck the vault landing that won Team USA gold. Sometimes, a comeback happens in one heroic moment.
12. Dennis Bergkamp
After a disastrous run at Inter Milan, he came back strong with Arsenal and became a Premier League legend. All it took was a change of scenery and a few wonder goals.
11. Grant Hill
Injuries robbed him of his prime, but Hill reinvented himself as a key veteran presence. His longevity became the comeback.
10. Rulon Gardner
He shocked the world by beating a seemingly unbeatable opponent, then came back from frostbite, accidents, and setbacks to compete again. The man doesn’t know how to quit.
9. Rafael Nadal
Injuries have tried to slow Rafa down countless times, but he always returns with fire in his eyes. Clay courts beware.
8. Bo Jackson
He wasn’t supposed to walk right again, let alone play sports. But Bo proved you can’t put limits on freakish talent.
7. Tommy John
His elbow gave out, but he came back after a groundbreaking surgery that now bears his name. Talk about rewriting your legacy.
6. Monica Puig
She went from struggling on the tour to winning Olympic gold out of nowhere. Her comeback didn’t follow a script—she made her own.
5. Drew Brees
Told his shoulder might never recover, Brees instead became a legend in New Orleans. Sometimes a comeback and a city revival go hand in hand.
4. Andre Agassi
He fell hard from tennis glory, but came back stronger with a new attitude—and new hair. His redemption arc was worthy of its own novel.
3. Michael Jordan
He left basketball to try baseball, then returned to dominate like he never left. And then he did it again.
Read More: The 10 Most Inspirational Career-Defining Comebacks in NFL History
2. Bethany Balcer
From undrafted to scoring goals in the NWSL, Balcer’s rise came after personal battles most didn’t see. Her story proves comebacks aren’t just physical—they’re emotional too.
Read More: The 10 Most Inspirational Comeback Stories in NFL History
1. Jim Abbott
Born with one hand, Abbott wasn’t supposed to make the majors—let alone throw a no-hitter. His entire career was one long, beautiful comeback.
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