Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Your home for the best underdog stories in sports.

• Browse our underdog stories

• Enjoy our bite-sized videos

• Watch our YouTube mini-docs

• Or join 30K readers on our free weekly Underdog Newsletter

The Underdog Newsletter is read by sports fans at Disney, NBA, PGA, ESPN, Front Office Sports, Overtime, Penn State, Alabama, and more.
The inspiring underdog story of pitcher Louis Varland, who went from Division 2 college baseball at Concordia-St. Paul to MLB All-Star

Baseball

How Louis Varland Went From Unknown 449th Overall Pick to All-Star MLB Closer

How a late-blooming D2 pitcher became an MLB All-Star.

22 hours ago
The inspiring underdog story of Billy Wagner, who went from undersized kid in a poor family, to teaching himself how to throw left-handed, to walking on at a Division 3 school, to becoming a first-round MLB Draft pick and Baseball Hall of Famer. The inspiring underdog story of Billy Wagner, who went from undersized kid in a poor family, to teaching himself how to throw left-handed, to walking on at a Division 3 school, to becoming a first-round MLB Draft pick and Baseball Hall of Famer.

Baseball

How an Undersized D3 Pitcher Broke Every Rule on His Way to the Hall of Fame

“If you go through what I went through as a kid, not knowing if I was going to eat or who I was going...

July 1, 2026
The inspiring underdog story of Alphonso Davies, who went from a Ghana refugee camp to Canadian soccer star in the 2026 World Cup The inspiring underdog story of Alphonso Davies, who went from a Ghana refugee camp to Canadian soccer star in the 2026 World Cup

Stories

How Alphonso Davies Went From Refugee Camp To the 2026 World Cup

“To be honest, I was just trying to play for fun, to keep myself active, and keep myself out of trouble. I didn’t think...

June 26, 2026
The inspiring underdog story of Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer, who went from top college lacrosse player to the NBA in seven years. The inspiring underdog story of Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer, who went from top college lacrosse player to the NBA in seven years.

Basketball

How Pat Spencer Went From the Greatest College Lacrosse Player Of All-Time to NBA Success Story

"We loved it, he loved it, but it just wasn't his dream."

May 15, 2026
The inspiring underdog story of Chicago Cubs pitcher Riley Martin, who went from Division 2 non-prospect who was one semester away from pharmacy school to MLB rookie standout. The inspiring underdog story of Chicago Cubs pitcher Riley Martin, who went from Division 2 non-prospect who was one semester away from pharmacy school to MLB rookie standout.

Baseball

Riley Martin’s Road to the Big Leagues Began as a D2 Non-Prospect Already Enrolled in Pharmacy School

"I was thinking, I’m probably not gonna get drafted. This is probably my last season of baseball…I was like, ‘This is my last chance...

May 8, 2026
The inspiring underdog story of Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who didn't play a second of high school basketball, attended 4 colleges in 4 years, and went undrafted on his way to the NBA playoffs. The inspiring underdog story of Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who didn't play a second of high school basketball, attended 4 colleges in 4 years, and went undrafted on his way to the NBA playoffs.

Basketball

From the Playground to the NBA: The Unlikely Rise of Nae’Qwan Tomlin

Meet the NBA player who never played a single second of high school basketball.

May 1, 2026