As the year 2014 comes to a close, it’s important to reflect – to take time and look back at the good, the bad, and, well, you get it.
This year did in fact remind us, not-so-subtly, that athletes are not all the perfect beings we make them out to be. In fact, much of this year’s sports headlines revolved around domestic violence scandals. Luckily, there is more to sports than the indiscretions of players.
January:
Sochi Winter Olympics Terrorist Threats
The terror threats thankfully never materialized. The gripes about unfinished hotel rooms and yellow tap water… http://t.co/pQL3wDL7ms
— Imocha Singha (@ImochaSingha) February 24, 2014
On January 11, the United States State Department warned that the medical facilities in the Winter Olympics’ host city of Sochi, Russia were untested and that terrorist threats had been received. Luckily, nothing ever became of the threats – the worst complaints about the experience had more to do with a lack of suitable hotel accommodations.
February:
Super Bowl XLVIII
Maybe you rooted (to no avail) for the Denver Broncos, maybe you rooted for the Seattle Seahawks. Maybe you bet first-borns on the game. Maybe you just sat down to watch the commercials (if so, what are you doing on a sports-dedicated website?). Nonetheless, while some fans celebrated and other fans grieved, this Coca-Cola commercial mustered attention for featuring “America the Beautiful” sung in foreign languages. What’s a big game without some controversy?
March:
Prince Harry Launches the “Invictus Games”
Prince Harry gives Helen Rollason Award to Captain Dave Henson & competitors of The Invictus Games (via @BBCSport) pic.twitter.com/iMPex9ajJg — Cindy Stockman (@RoyalCentralEd) December 14, 2014
The Invictus Games is an international event held in London where wounded, injured or sick armed forces personnel compete in a series of sports. Ninety-eight American wounded soldiers took part in the event. Although Prince Harry set the plans into motion in March, the actual event took place in September.
April:
Boston Marathon
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Proving the resilience behind #BostonStrong, more than a million people gathered at this year’s Boston Marathon to celebrate the lives of those lost during the previous year’s bombing.
May:
Adam Scott Replaces Tiger Woods’ Ranking As Number 1 Male Golfer
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Tiger Woods is known to have held the number 1 ranking for the most consecutive weeks (totaling 281) and the most total weeks (683). Rory McIlroy currently holds the number 1 rank.
June:
NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs Beat Miami Heat
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Everyone remembers how the Miami Heat went in for a 3-peat and came out minus one star player. After losing to the Spurs, Lebron James returned to Cleveland. This move upset many new fans and forced forgiveness from old fans as they welcomed their prodigal superstar back.
July:
Germany Wins FIFA World Cup Brazil
Panini FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Stickers pick any 10 from the list.. http://t.co/VLRcPV5wXl pic.twitter.com/uIUcVeIVSQ
— sumptuous deals (@huergopolicarpo) December 29, 2014
Remember these? These collectable Panini sticker books showed up everywhere in time for the World Cup. The other thing that showed up everywhere? Pitbull and JLo singing “We Are One” – it’s pretty forgettable though, it was no “Waka Waka.”
August:
Becky Hammon Becomes First Full-Time Female Coach in a Major U.S. Professional League
Check out ESPNW’s 2014 Impact 25 with Becky Hammon named Woman of the Year! http://t.co/7BHps2P840 via @espnW pic.twitter.com/bqd6gbBjPM
— GameChanger (@GCsports) December 27, 2014
After being hired by the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach, this WNBA star was named Woman of the Year for being the first full-time female coach in any of the four major U.S. professional leagues.
September:
Derek Jeter’s Last Career At-Bat
Even if you live in one of the 50 states that happens to hate on the Yankees, there is no denying the perfection of Jeter’s entry into retirement.
October:
San Francisco Giants Win World Series Against Kansas City Royals
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Baseball fans watched in suspense as a game seven was forced to break the tie between the Giants and Royals. This series marked the eighth World Series championship for the Giants.
November:
Decision Made in the Case of Ray Rice
ESPN published the NFL’s official decision on the matter of free agent Ray Rice on November 28. This is pertaining to video footage (above) of Rice abusing his then fiancee (now wife).
December:
Kobe Bryant Listed as Third on All-Time Point-Scorer List
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This ranking puts him above Michael Jordan. He surpassed Jordan’s score during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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