2018 was a tremendous year for sports around the globe. From
the Winter Olympic Games and the World Cup framing the worldwide game, to
Philadelphia and Washington D.C. witnessing a pair of long-awaited firsts on
the gridiron and ice, respectively, there was something for everybody over the
last 12 months.
Although there were notable low moments both off the field —
and sometimes in it (see UFC 229) — 2018 will stand as a banner year for
exceptional achievements. Let's have a look back at some of the most
significant people, games, accomplishments and moments of the year that was.
JANUARY: ALABAMA PULLS OFF LATE COMEBACK TO CLAIM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
After the Crimson Tide was shut out in the first half of the
CFB National Championship Game, Nick Saban turned to true freshman quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa to provide a spark in the second half, and that he did. The
Alabama defense shut out the Georgia Bulldogs in the fourth quarter, while
Tagovailoa threw for three touchdowns, including a 41-yard game-winner in
overtime to DeVonta Smith.
JANUARY: JON GRUDEN RETURNS TO THE NFL SIDELINES
After nearly a decade of pushing for it, the Oakland Raiders
were able to convince Jon Gruden to abandon the broadcast booth and return to
the sidelines for the 2018 season. The 10-year, $100 million contract he
received to rejoin the organization is the largest coaching deal in NFL
history. Gruden is due $30 million more in guaranteed money than his own
starting quarterback, Derek Carr.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY: LARRY NASSAR SENTENCED
The disgraced former physician who sat at the center of the
scandal that rocked USA Gymnastics in 2017 saw his 60-year sentence intensified
further. After pleading guilty to a total of 10 counts of sexual assault
— all against minors — Nassar received three life sentences in federal prison,
with a total term possibility of 300 years. In the fallout of the conviction and
scandal, USA Gymnastics was decertified as a governing body for the sport and
filed for bankruptcy in November.
FEBRUARY: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WIN FIRST SUPER BOWL
The Eagles finalized realized their long-elusive Super Bowl
dreams when they defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.
After carrying Philadelphia through the end of the regular season and playoffs
in place of injured starter Carson Wentz, quarterback Nick Foles claimed Super
Bowl LII MVP honors after throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns and
catching a fourth via the "Philly Special" reverse.
FEBRUARY: NORWAY DOMINATES WINTER OLYMPICS
Norway owned the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeong Chang at a
record pace. The country's 39 total medals surpassed the former record of 37
set by the United States in 2010. Cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen led the way
with five medal wins (including two golds), running her career total to record
15. The Norwegian team also accomplished a podium sweep in the men’s 30 km
skiathlon, with Simen Hegstad Kruger, Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Hans Christer
Holund claiming the top three finishes in the event.
FEBRUARY: THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME TAKES ON A NEW TWIST
In a move to shake up things around the event, the NBA
dramatically revamped its All-Star Game format. Instead of the Eastern and
Western Conferences defining the battle lines, the top two recipients in the
fan vote picked their own teams. This pitted LeBron James against Stephen
Curry, with LeBron taking Curry’s teammate Kevin Durant with the first pick.
The decision indeed livened up the game, with Team LeBron defeating Team Curry
148-145.
FEBRUARY: GOLDEN KNIGHTS SPRINT TO LEGENDARY DEBUT SEASON
In its inaugural year, the NHL’s 31st franchise
reset the bar on first-year excellence. By February, the Golden Knights had set
a record for wins by an expansion team — with two months left in the regular
season. Ultimately, they would go on to reach the Stanley Cup Finals and finish
with the most successful season by an expansion franchise in the history of any
of the four major North American sports leagues.
FEBRUARY: ROGER FEDERER REACHES NO. 1, AGAIN
Shortly after becoming the first man to ever win 20 Grand
Slam titles at the Australian Open, Federer added yet another remarkable
accomplishment to his unparalleled career. Following a victory at the Rotterdam
Open, Federer rose to No. 1 in the ATP rankings again. At age 36, he became the
oldest top-ranked player in history by more than three years.
MARCH: UMBC PULLS OFF THE IMPOSSIBLE
In the 135 previous times a No. 1 seed had faced a 16 seed,
the top-seeded team had emerged victorious — and often in a decisive fashion.
But one of sport’s safest bets was turned upside down when the little-known
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers defeated the top overall
seed, Virginia, 74-54. It was the biggest upset in tournament history.
MARCH: LOYOLA-CHICAGO MOUNTS ULTIMATE UNDERDOG RUN TO FINAL FOUR
Riding the momentum of buzzer-beating shot to oust
six-seeded Miami, the 11-seeded Loyola Ramblers went on the greatest upset run
in NCAA Tournament history. The Missouri Valley Conference champions provided
four straight wins en route to becoming the lowest-seeded Final Four team in
history, before ultimately falling to the Michigan Wolverines. Regardless, it was
an outcome that could not have made Sister Jean any prouder.
APRIL: RONDA ROUSEY MAKES WWE DEBUT AT WRESTLEMANIA
The most accomplished women’s fighter in UFC, Ronda Rousey
made the much-publicized leap from the octagon to the ring of the WWE at
WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans. In a debut match that blew away expectations,
Rousey announced her presence in a definitive fashion at the event and
immediately became the signature star of the promotion similar to her rise to
prominence in the UFC.
MAY: NBA LAUNCHES FIRST OFFICIALLY SPONSORED ESPORTS LEAGUE
Embracing the popular of the "NBA 2K" video game
franchise as well as the continued rise of esports, the NBA facilitated a
breakthrough merger of the two worlds. Announced in February with play running
for two months beginning in May, the NBA 2K League represented a joint venture
between the Association and Take-Two Interactive, in which teams of gamers are
sponsored by NBA franchises and compete for a league championship. Meanwhile,
games are streamed online for viewers to further extend the breakthrough
endeavor’s reach.
MAY: SUPREME COURT LEGALIZES SPORTS GAMBLING
After over a century of keeping the worlds of sports and
gambling as separate as possible, the U.S. Supreme Court changed course in a
monumental fashion in the spring when the justices voted 6-3 to overturn
limiting laws of interaction between the two worlds. In the wake of the
expansion of wagering laws, the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball have all
agreed to lucrative sponsorship deals with various casinos and resorts to host
their products.
MAY: SUPREME COURT LEGALIZES SPORTS GAMBLING
After over a century of keeping the worlds of sports and
gambling as separate as possible, the U.S. Supreme Court changed course in a
monumental fashion in the spring when the justices voted 6-3 to overturn
limiting laws of interaction between the two worlds. In the wake of the
expansion of wagering laws, the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball have all
agreed to lucrative sponsorship deals with various casinos and resorts to host
their products.
MAY: A J.R. SMITH BRAIN FREEZE COSTS THE CAVS GAME 1
Game 1 of the NBA Finals witnessed one of the costliest
mishaps of the year. Losing track of the score of the game, which was tied, Cavs
guard J.R. Smith grabbed a rebound off a missed George Hill free throw. Instead
of putting up an easy shot, Smith dribbled away from the rim and ran the clock
down, sending the game to overtime. With a second chance at life, the Warriors
outscored Cleveland, 17-7, in overtime and won the game en route to sweeping
the series.
JUNE: OVECHKIN BRINGS ELUSIVE STANLEY CUP TO CAPITALS
Although the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Finals
as the feel-good underdog story of the year, destiny instead favored Alex
Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. After years of coming up on the short end
of breaking through to the Finals, the Caps did just that and did not waste the
opportunity. Ovechkin posted five points and scored in three of five games en
route to a Conn Smythe Trophy, as the Caps won their first title in franchise
history, four games to one.
UNE: JUSTIFY COMPLETES THE TRIPLE CROWN
Although it had been just three years since American Pharoah
broke the 37-year drought of having a horse racing Triple Crown winner, Justify
completing the loop was no less impressive. The Colt went 6-0 on the year,
becoming only the second horse in history to complete the Triple Crown while
going undefeated on the year. But perhaps this should come as no surprise:
Justify can count six former Triple Crown winners among his descendants,
including Seattle Slew and the legendary Secretariat.
JUNE: GERMANY ELIMINATED FROM WORLD CUP
As dependable an entrant into the World Cup as any in the
world, it had been since 1938 that Germany failed to advance from the group
round of the World Cup. But despite entering Cup play as the defending
champions, the Germans were stunningly ousted in the first round following a
2-0 loss to South Korea. It marked the fourth time in the past five World Cup
competitions the defending champs fell in the group stage.
JULY: LEBRON HEADS TO HOLLYWOOD
After over a year of rumors associating the two, LeBron
joining the Los Angeles Lakers became a reality. Basketball’s definitive
superstar signed a four-year, $154 million deal to head to Hollywood, a move
that kicked off a string of debates regarding who would follow him westward. Regardless
of how the move turns out in the long term for both player and team, the
spotlight of James has again made the Lakers must-see TV and the most discussed
team of the NBA.
JULY: DANIEL CORMIER KNOCKS OUT STIPE MIOCIC
Cormier answered all — well most — questions about who the
best heavyweight fighter in mixed-martial arts is via a definitive knockout of
Stipe Miocic in July. The victory made Cormier the dual holder of the
heavyweight and light heavyweight UFC titles, the second multidivision champion
in the promotion’s history. However, an intriguing challenger threw his hat
into the ring immediately following the victory, as former UFC heavyweight
champion Brock Lesnar confronted Cormier following his post-fight interview
after Cormier called him out.
JULY: CRISTIANO RONALDO HEADS TO JUVENTUS
In a year where he won a fifth Ballon d’Or award and led
Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title, Ronaldo made waves
yet again, announcing his departure from the club. Shortly thereafter, he signed
the highest-ever transfer fee ($131 million) for a player over 30 when he
joined Juventus. Ronaldo immediately impacted his new club, scoring in his
first game and becoming the first player in 61 years to score in 10 of his
first 14 matches for Juventus.
JULY: FRANCE WINS WORLD CUP
For the first time in 20 years and the second time in
history, Les Blues came away as the top football nation in the world. Led by
Antoine Griezmann and teen prodigy Kylian Mbappe, the French won the World Cup,
going 6-0-1 and defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final. An estimated 90,000 of
French countrymen and women gathered at the Eiffel Tower to watch and celebrate
the victory.
AUGUST: SCANDAL HITS OHIO STATE, URBAN MEYER
After a quiet few years, the Ohio State football program
found itself embroiled in scandal yet again. This time head coach Urban Meyer
was at the center of affairs, as he was found to be complicit in knowledge of
spousal abuse allegations by a member of his staff, Zack Smith, whom he
declined to report, investigate or discipline. Ultimately, Smith was terminated
and Meyer suspended for the first three games of the season. Meyer announced
his retirement following the season, citing health issues.
AUGUST: TO SAYS NO TO THE HALL OF FAME
In his third appearance on the Pro Football Hall of Fame
ballot, Terrell Owens' name was finally called for induction. But the six-time
Pro Bowler, who had long taken exception to contemporaries at his position
(namely Marvin Harrison) being elected before him, decided to protest by not
attending the induction ceremony in Canton. Instead, he opted for a
simultaneous ceremony at his alma mater, the University of
Tennessee-Chattanooga. The decision sparked a controversy regarding if Owens
should be recognized during the Hall of Fame ceremonies at all, which he was
not.
SEPTEMBER: GGG, CANELO SETTLE THE SCORE
With Floyd Mayweather away from the sport, the rematch of
the previous year’s draw between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin was the
main event of the year for boxing. Alvarez emerged victorious in another
tightly contested rematch, with Alvarez getting the favor of a 115-113 card for
one judge, while two others had it even again at 114-114. With the win, Canelo
improved to 50-1-2 in his career and was declared the unified middleweight
champion of the world.
SEPTEMBER: NIKE, COLIN KAEPERNICK MAKE A STATEMENT
Nike caused a palatable buzz when it released an ad bearing
the image of controversial former NFLer, Colin Kaepernick. The black-and-white
ad with the message, "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing
everything" immediately polarized the public, drawing applause from
Kaepernick’s supporters while inducing strong protest from his detractors.
Shortly after the ad’s release, the brand announced a signature apparel line for
Kaepernick and premiered a commercial at halftime of "Sunday Night
Football" starring the disenfranchised quarterback.
SEPTEMBER: BAKER MAYFIELD TO THE RESCUE
After initially playing it slow with their top overall pick,
an injury to incumbent starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor sent Mayfield into
action for the Browns underneath spotlight of "Thursday Night
Football." He did not disappoint, throwing for 201 yards and catching a
touchdown thus ending the 635-day losing skid for the Browns. Cleveland never looked
back either, with Mayfield being named permanent starter shortly afterward.
SEPTEMBER: SERENA WILLIAMS MELTS DOWN AT THE US OPEN
During the second set of the women’s final at the US Open,
the wheels fell off quickly as Serena Williams and referee Carlos Ramos got
into a heated exchange. Ramos handed Williams three violations for a
coaching warning, unsportsmanlike conduct and ultimately verbal abuse, when
Williams called him a "thief." Ultimately Naomi Osaka emerged
victorious, but the most resounding moment would be Williams’, when she made
claim of Ramos being sexist in the way he handled the discourse with her
regarding his rulings.
SEPTEMBER: TIGER WOODS CAPS COMEBACK WITH TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
Arguably, there was no more unifying moment than Tiger
Woods' pursuit of victory at the Tour Championship. Although Justin Thomas
capped the event as winner of the FedEx Cup as the year’s money leader, it was
Woods' first win in over four years that provided the most excitement the sport
has witnessed in years. The gallery followed Woods every step as he completed
his 23-under-par win, with thousands in the gallery stalking him along the 17th and
18th holes to share in his victorious moment.
OCTOBER: #METOO MEETS THE MAVERICKS
A September Sports Illustrated article highlighted the issues in depth,
prompting the NBA to intervene and force sweeping changes in the Mavericks internal workings. When
the dust settled, it landed at the feet of owner Mark Cuban, whose startling
lack of institutional control shamed him and the entire organization alike.
Ultimately, Cuban donated $10 million toward organizations that
promote women’s leadership roles and domestic violence, but it far from erased
the irreversible issues of the past.
OCTOBER: A RECORD RETURN FOR SIMONE BILES
After a year away from competition in 2017, Biles returned
to U.S. National Team in March and picked up right where she left off. She
claimed a record fifth all-around National Championship in August, before
claiming World Championship all-around honors in October. She became the U.S.
competitor to ever medal on every event at the World Championships and capped
it by becoming the first female competitor ever to pull off the complex Cheng
vault with an extra twist.
OCTOBER: MAYHEM CLOSES OUT UFC 229
Conor McGregor returned to the UFC for the first time in
over a year to face the man who replaced him as lightweight champion during his
hiatus, Khabib Nurmagomedov. After a backstage attack led by McGregor earlier
in the year led to an incredibly personal build to the event, Nurmagomedov
dominated McGregor in the main event, whom he forced to submit in the fourth
round. Pandemonium broke out shortly after the bout ended, as Khabib jumped out
of the cage and attacked McGregor’s camp in rebuttal for events of the past
year. Meanwhile McGregor was attacked by Nurmagomedov’s team in the ring,
causing for fight purses to be suspended and a trial before the Nevada State
Athletic Commission.
OCTOBER: DODGERS/ RED SOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3 MARATHON
After modest beginnings, Game 3 of the World Series became
one for the record books, lasting 18 innings until a Max Muncy walk-off home
run ended things at after 4 a.m. eastern time. All in all, 18 total pitchers
were used, with Nathan Eovaldi throwing 97 pitches over a six-inning RELIEF appearance.
Overall, the game stretched a World Series-record seven hours and 20 minutes.
To put things in perspective, there were entire World Series, in full, that
lasted a shorter time than this single game did.
OCTOBER: BREES BECOMES ALL-TIME PASSING LEADER
Just weeks after breaking Brett Favre’s record for most
career completions, Drew Brees passed Favre again in pursuit of an even more
prestigious mark. On Monday, Oct. 8, Brees passed both Favre and Peyton Manning
on the NFL’s all-time passing yardage list, connecting on a 62-yard touchdown
pass late in the second quarter that moved him ahead of Manning’s record 71,940
career yards. To put that into perspective, Brees has thrown a football over 40
miles in his career — which equates to 704 football fields.
OCTOBER: ROMAN REIGNS ANNOUNCES FIGHT WITH LEUKEMIA
Just hours before Brees celebrated becoming the NFL’s new
passing king, tragedy struck the professional wrestling world. WWE universal
champion Roman Reigns (whose government name is Joe Anoa’i) announced he would
have to step away from competition, as a longtime battle with leukemia had
resumed. The solemn event stood as a stark intervention of the harshness of
reality in a world where it is encouraged to suspend belief on a weekly basis.
OCTOBER: RAE CARRUTH RELEASED FROM PRISON
Nineteen years after being convicted of conspiring in the
murder of his pregnant girlfriend, former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae
Carruth was released from jail on Oct. 22. The infamous former NFLer did not
speak to the media upon leaving North Carolina’s Sampson Correctional
Institution.
OCTOBER: LEWIS HAMILTON CLAIMS FIFTH FORMULA ONE TITLE
When history looks back at this era in Formula One racing,
2018 will be the season that sealed this era as belonging to Lewis Hamilton.
The British driver secured his second consecutive and fifth overall F1 title.
He won 11 of the 21 races he entered en route to a record 408-point season.
What’s most remarkable perhaps is that Hamilton reached the podium in all but
four races on the year.
NOVEMBER: LE'VEON BELL SITS OUT ON THE STEELERS
After a tense two years of contract back-and-forth battling
between himself and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Le’Veon Bell decided enough is
enough. Watching several teams pay their stars record sums over the offseason,
only to still be without a long-term contract, Bell refused to sign the
franchise tag for a second consecutive season, opting to extend his holdout
into the regular season. With missing the first nine games of the season and
still refusing to report by the NFL’s Nov. 13 deadline, Bell officially made
himself ineligible to play for the year.
NOVEMBER: RAMS AND CHIEFS REWRITE THE RECORD BOOKS
A showdown between the NFL’s two biggest offensive
juggernauts on "Monday Night Football" did not disappoint, as the Los
Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs rewrote the NFL’s offensive record books.
The 54-51 final was the first time in history two teams topped the 50-point
barrier and accounted for the third-most points in NFL history. Tyreek Hill
topped 200 receiving yards, while Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes totaled 891
passing yards and 10 touchdowns in the air.
DECEMBER: SCANDAL SEES KAREEM HUNT CUT BY CHIEFS
After leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie, Kareem Hunt’s
sophomore year took a decidedly darker turn. On Nov. 30, TMZ released a video of Hunt getting into an altercation
in a hotel lobby, before ultimately kicking a woman. In the course of a few
hours, Hunt was suspended by the NFL and subsequently released by the Kansas
City Chiefs. He went unclaimed on league-wide waivers a few days later.
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