It took the McGwire-Sosa home run race to bring the sport back in favor.

FORBES: NHL On the Way To Self-Destruction

Still, players on eight teams, including the three-time defending champion U.S., are determined to put on the kind of show that will force officials to bring back the sport.

NPR: Women's Softball On Olympic Chopping Block

And the Madden game still has enough pull to bring former NFL greats back to the field to play the sport they continue to love, even if these days they're only making those amazing highlight reel plays virtually.

CNN: Brett Favre returns to the gridiron for 'Madden'