Jim Craig, the hockey goaltender who helped the U.S. win a miraculous gold medal at the 1980 winter Olympics

Former U.S. Olympic goaltender Jim Craig parting with 1980 gold medal

Jim Craig Auctions Off His Olympic Gold Medals

In 2017, Craig never had any intention of selling and assured everyone that his finances were fine. His decision came down to his desire to avoid leaving his two children with the Solomonic task of trying to split his gold medal and other mementos in half after he goes. He had another mask and would pass down his Olympic ring. Craig said he owned something more important than the objects: “I have the memories.”

Jim Craig, the goaltender for the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, is auctioning off his gold medal, won after the team beat the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, N.Y., in the game known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The medal was auctioned online along with 16 other items of Craig’s Olympic memorabilia through Lelands.com.

“It would have gone into hibernation,” Craig told me. “You need to move on in life. We want someone who buys this to adore it.”

The Soviets enjoyed one of the longest dynasties in sports history, having won six of the seven previous Olympic Gold medals over a 28-year period in ice hockey events. Reeling from stagflation, and the Energy Crisis Americans craved a feel-good story. Their country’s upset of the Soviets, 4 to 3, in front of a tiny crowd of 8500 in Lake Placid, New York-inspired announcer Al Michael’s epic call, “Do You Believe in Miracles?” Stopping 36 of 39 shots, Craig became an overnight American folk hero.

“I remember the first time I saw the USA jersey with my name on it,” Craig said. “I felt incredible pride. It was the American Dream. No one thought it was possible. I remember the fans chanting ‘USA. USA.,”

Team USA proceeded to win the gold medal in the finals in another upset, this time against Finland. “I don’t think any of the players ever thought about losing, said Craig, a highly successful motivational speaker since retiring hockey. “It’s like the Navy Seals. They never go into a battle thinking they will lose.”

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