Michelob ULTRA, the official beer sponsor of Team USA, recently announced a new immersive experience for hockey fans. ‘Run Back the Miracle’ will take place at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid on Jan. 15.
The event celebrates Team USA’s historic upset over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics, known as the ‘Miracle on Ice.’ Fans will experience the game with HD holograms, full-surface ice projection, and never-before-seen footage. Several original team members will attend, including goaltender Jim Craig.
Craig expressed his excitement for ‘Run Back the Miracle,’ at the arena where Team USA defeated the Soviet Union.
“I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this event,” Craig said in a press release. “As we prepare to rally fans to support Team USA in February, I’m excited to relive that experience.”
Team USA’s gold medal winning goaltender added that having sponsors are important because it shows the belief they have in the athletes.
“Working with Michelob ULTRA to help bring the ‘Run Back the Miracle’ campaign to life has been so meaningful,” Craig told Heavy Sports. “Olympic athletes don’t get to chase these dreams without the support of people who invest in them.”
He added:
“Just like back then, it takes belief from others to make miracles possible.”
Ex-Team USA Goaltender Jim Craig Opens Up About Winning Olympic Gold Medal
Jim Craig opened up about Team USA’s gold medal win at the 1980 Olympics and what the moment meant to him. For Olympic athletes, winning a gold medal is the peak of their sport. It takes years of training, focus, and sacrifice.
Team USA won Olympic gold on home soil, which made the moment more special.
For Team USA’s goaltender, the victory sparked deep reflection and national pride. He described what he felt when it finally him that they had become Olympic champions.
“When the final buzzer sounded, my first thoughts were about everyone who had sacrificed so I could be there,” Craig told Heavy Sports. “I thought of the work my teammates and coaches put in, the commitment we made to something uncertain, and the trust we placed in each other. What I felt most was national pride.”
He added:
“The roar of the crowd in Lake Placid chanting, ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ That will stay with me forever.”
Jim Craig Praises Kurt Russell for His Portrayal of Ex-Team USA Coach Herb Brooks
‘Run Back the Miracle’ is not the first time the iconic hockey moment has been retold. Disney released Miracle in 2004, a film about Team USA’s Olympic triumph, with Kurt Russell starring as head coach Herb Brooks.
Craig, who was on the 1980 roster, praised Russell for his performance. He said the famous locker-room scene shown in the movie captured the real moment perfectly.
“Russell didn’t just play Herb Brooks, he became him. He took the time to study everything about Herb to make sure he embodied his character. Kurt was a big fan of the story and knew there was a lot of pressure to execute such a huge role, especially for Herb’s family and friends,” Craig told Heavy Sports.
He continued:
“As for the famous speech, it was spot-on and brought me back to Lake Placid. It reminded me of how one man was able to inspire the impossible and allowed people to believe in a dream that seems impossible,” Craig said. “I know our whole team and Herb were proud of the entire cast being able to portray a feeling that was once in a lifetime.”
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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