The Top 5 Most Memorable Sports Moments of 2017
This year brought us some big wins, tragic losses and definitely some memorable moments. When you ring in 2018, here’s what to talk about until the clock strikes midnight.
Cheers,
The Last Night’s Game Team
The Top Five Most Memorable Sports Moments of 2017
1. Between three major hurricanes, multiple California fires and a mass shooting, sports teams and players stepped up to support their local communities by donating money and their time. Most notably was Houston Texans JJ Watt (NFL – National Football League) who started a fundraising effort for victims of Hurricane Harvey. He promised to match the first $100,000 raised and ended up raising over $37 million in donations for hurricane relief efforts. MORE
2. After earning the title of the No Fun League, the NFL relaxed their touchdown celebrations rules this year. Players embraced this freedom of expression and have graced us with celebrations to honor the Rockettes, playing leapfrog, a bench press workout and of course a line dance to the electric slide. SEE MORE
3. Like we needed more evidence to prove that Serena Williams is nothing short of Superwoman. In January, she won her record 23rd Grand Slam win at the Australian Open. (A Grand Slam is one of the four major tournaments in tennis). Later she revealed that she was pregnant during her big win. Therefore, this year brought us the birth of her baby girl and her glamorous wedding to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. MORE
4. The hype was worth the hype in the Mayweather vs. McGregor boxing match. MMA fighter (Mixed Martial Arts) Conor McGregor stepped outside his comfort zone to step into the ring and fight one of boxing’s best, the undefeated Floyd Mayweather. The fight lasted 10 rounds and Mayweather was declared a winner but not before McGregor earned the sports world’s r-e-s-p-e-c-t. MORE
5. This year was a terrible year for the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team. The U.S. team did not qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 31 years. Also having a crappy year? Team Italy. They didn’t qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 58 years. Ciao World Cup dreams.
PS – There are some great things ahead in 2018. Most notably, the College Football National Championship, Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and World Cup all in the first six months of the year.
There's more where that came from
Instead of focusing on the past, here are the top three buzzworthy topics in the world of sports right now, including cancelling Sunday Night Football, why the NBA had a very Merry Christmas and why Old Guys rule. READ
Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal
Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We have a few conversation starters for you to gift your family with along with two big things happening in sports today in case you want to avoid your family and catch a game.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We have a few conversation starters for you to gift your family with along with two big things happening in sports today in case you want to avoid your family and catch a game.
A win-win,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Spreading Holiday Cheer
When the gift you really wanted wouldn’t fit under the tree. The New Orleans Pelicans (NBA – National Basketball Association) Anthony Davis helped a family in need by giving them a brand new car. Joy doesn’t begin to describe this great video. All the feels.
If you didn’t get what you wanted from Santa. Texas Rangers (MLB - Major League Baseball) pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi gave a charity exactly what they didn’t know they wanted – a new house. They donated their $9.75 million mansion to Camp Barnabas, an organization that helps individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses. They tried to sell the 32,000-square foot abode sitting on 100 acres in Branson, Missouri, but then decided to give it to charity. That’s quite the stocking stuffer.
The trump card to your family traditions. Carolina Panthers (NFL - National Football League) quarterback Cam Newton has a holiday tradition like no other. He surprises teachers, children and needy families the week before Christmas with gifts. “Santa Cam” gave out over $100,000 in cash, grocery store gift cards and blankets in the Charlotte area last week.
Overtime
It’s tradition to have NBA games on Christmas and part of that tradition included special game day uniforms. Since the Grinch (aka Nike) took over this year there aren't any so one fan took it upon himself, creating ugly sweater uniforms for each of the teams playing. No word if he has a new job running the Nike uniform department or not.
Sideline stat
Just three years after beating cancer, David Quessenberry will be playing his first ever NFL game today. Quessenberry was drafted by the Houston Texans but never played a game. Keep an eye out for his emotional Christmas debut with the Texans this afternoon. SCHEDULE
Coaches’ corner
Good news, bad news. Good news - LeBron James and Steph Curry are two of the best in the league and their teams are meeting up yet again. The Cleveland Cavilers and the Golden State Warriors played each other in the past three NBA finals and they’ll have the honor of playing today on Christmas. Bad news – Steph Curry will not play today as he injured his ankle. SCHEDULE
Monday Motivation
It’s Monday but don’t pull the covers back over your head. Go out and getcha some.
It’s Monday but don’t pull the covers back over your head. Go out and getcha some.
Making it happen,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
When making snow angels sounds more fun than working. The Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills played in white out conditions yesterday. In the snowiest game in recent history, the Buffalo fans stuck it out to watch their team take home an overtime win. Now that’s commitment and maybe a slight bit of insanity considering it was snowing so hard you could barely see the field.
Tennis
To your friend who’s back to work after maternity leave, Serena Williams understands. She announced that she will play in the Australian Open next month, the same tournament she won last year while pregnant. She took off most of last season from competing and daughter Alexa was born in September to Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Overtime
A heartbreaking video of a student, Keaton Jones, talking about being bullied has struck a nerve with so many. Celebs and athletes alike are using social media for good by bringing the issue of bullying to light and offering their support to Keaton. Tennessee Titans’ (NFL) Delanie Walker offered to fly Keaton to a game and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) President Dana White invited him to their Las Vegas headquarters so they can hang out.
Sideline stat
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was named the top college football player this season, winning the Heisman Trophy. He is the first walk-on player to ever win the coveted award. The grateful player gave a heartfelt speech thanking the coaches who took a chance on him. (Wondering what a walk-on is? Here’s your answer).
Coaches’ corner
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The St. Louis Blues (NHL - National Hockey League) called on a vending machine worker who is also a season ticket holder to play as their emergency goalie in a game. The elated fan played until the replacement player brought up from the minor leagues could make it to the game.
The NHL has a rule that requires each team to have a list of emergency goalies for themselves and for visiting teams. If only that rule was around for Happy Gilmore.
College football bowl season is upon us! Join us for our bowl game pool and pick the winners. It's easy (ESPN even has auto pick) and it's a great way to learn a little more about college football without having to work too hard for it. Oh and there are prizes involved too.
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