Pete Weber. Photo Credit: ESPN Photo Credit: ESPN
By Arthur Weinstein on

Even sports fans who know nothing about pro bowling have probably seen the incredible highlight showing legend Pete Weber celebrating arguably the greatest moment in the sport’s history.

And for those who missed it, Tuesday provided a chance to catch up, as that moment, from 2012, unexpectedly went viral on X/Twitter, drawing comments from pro athletes and other prominent figures.

The X account Historic Vids, which has 4.5 million followers, started the ball rolling with a tweet recapturing the moment.

For some context, it was Weber’s final roll of the event, and he needed a strike to win a record fifth U.S. Open. ESPN’s Gary Thorne set up the drama perfectly with the call: “Strike to claim it, a strike to claim it, and … he got it!”

Weber exploded in celebration: “Yes, god d*** it, yes! That is right, I did it! [That’s] number five! Are you kidding me?! That’s right! Who do you think you are? I am! Damn it right!”

Weber claimed he had aimed the comments at a fan who had been heckling him during the tournament, but whatever the inspiration, the quote went hugely viral at the time, featured in SportsCenter highlights, on T-shirts, etc.

And 12 years later, it’s once again trending. Two-time NBA All-Star Andre Drummond of the Chicago Bulls commented, “I remember watching this before class! Legend.”

NFL running back Rashaad Penny loved it.

Former pro wrestler Mark “Lash” LeRoux remarked, “There’s just something about the arrogant gravitas of a champion bowler that tickles me.”

County music singer Charles Wesley Godwin joked, “We all need a little bit of that Pete Weber confidence in our own lives.”


Plenty of other would-be comedians checked in with reactions.


[Historic Vids, Photo Credit: ESPN]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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