The iconic American flag draped over Jim Craig after the United States men's hockey team won gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics might not be where you think it is. The Smithsonian Channel will investigate where this flag, an important piece in historical sports memorabilia, is today in the series premiere of "Sports Detectives" on Sunday at 8 p.m.
Could one of the 12 Minnesotans or eight Gophers from the Miracle on Ice team have it in their closet or the basement?
Minnesota hockey fans likely last heard of the flag in 2015 when Craig, who finished his pro career with the North Stars, tried to sell his memorabilia from the 1980 Olympics.
The episode description:
Private investigator Kevin Barrows and sports reporter Lauren Gardner team up to locate the American flag that was worn by USA hockey goalie Jim Craig after the gold medal victory over Finland at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The image of Jim Craig wearing the flag has become iconic, symbolizing America's defeat over the Soviets during the Miracle on ice game. But what happened to the flag after the Olympics and where is it now?
The flag was returned to Craig in 1998 when presented to him by Peter Cappuccilli Jr. at the AHL All-Star Game. Cappuccilli, a fan at the gold-medal game in 1980, originally gave the flag to Craig on the ice but recovered it after the medal ceremony.
However, several others have come forward claiming they have the flag, including the former fiancée of Pelle Lindbergh, the goaltender from Sweden who played for Philadelphia Flyers before dying in 1985.
"It's the piece that makes people crazy because it represents everything," said Joshua Leland, the chairman of Lelands Auction House. "It represents the whole Olympics. The idea that this just wasn't a sports event, it was a political event. And it was these kids. And it is totally America. So the flag is like the miracle. It's the closest thing to a perfect encapsulation of what the Olympics were."
The iconic U.S. team was built of 20 college players and led by Gophers legendary coach Herb Brooks. The Minnesotans on the team were Mike Ramsey (Minneapolis), Bill Baker (Grand Rapids), Neal Broten (Roseau), Dave Christian (Warroad), Steve Christoff (Richfield), John Harrington (Virginia), Steve Janaszak (White Bear Lake), Rob McClanahan (St. Paul), Mark Pavelich (Eveleth), Buzz Schneider (Babbitt), Eric Strobel (Rochester) and Phil Verchota (Duluth), eight of which are Gophers.
Spoiler alert: The Star Tribune's 96-year-old columnist Sid Hartman doesn't have it.
The Smithsonian Channel for Comcast subscribers in the Twin Cities can be found on channels 186 and 918. DIRECTV customers can view it on channel 570. Dish Network subscribers can watch on channel 367. For other areas and providers, channel details can be found here. Check out upcoming episodes of "Sports Detectives" and watch a preview for Sunday's premiere:
