The Rundown: The 5 Most Talked About Sports Moments of 2016
It wouldn’t be the end of the year without a host of lists to celebrate the year that was. We’re bringing you the most talked about sports moments of 2016. Chatting to your NYE date has never been easier.
Break out the bubbly,
The Last Night’s Game
The five most talked about sports moments of 2016
- Cubs win! The Chicago Cubs (MLB - Major League Baseball) ended their 108-year championship losing streak by coming from behind in the World Series to defeat the Cleveland Indians. Chicago went wild with an estimated five million fans attending the victory parade.
- Summer Olympics in Brazil. The Zika scare. Ryan Lotche’s late night antics (and maybe his hideous blue hair?) landed him in hot water. Michael Phelps retired with 28 career Olympic medals, 23 of them gold. Swimmer Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female of the Rio Olympics. The U.S.A. women’s gymnastics team, The Final Five led by Simone Biles, dominated the competition.
- Championship Cavs. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA (National Basketball Association) championship, ending the City of Cleveland’s 52-year professional championship drought. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and their Cavs were down three games to one but managed to take home the title over the Golden State Warriors.
- Take a knee. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (NFL - National Football League) started taking a knee during the national anthem to demonstrate police brutality and racial oppression. No matter how you feel, the protest propelled the conversation and motivated action around the nation.
- Legends retire. Everyone’s favorite quarterback and five-time MVP Peyton Manning called it quits after winning the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos (his second Super Bowl victory). Although post retirement he's still starring in primetime, but in advertisements.
Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers were terrible in his final season of basketball but the 18-time all-star still went out on top with five NBA Championships. He and his wife welcomed their third baby girl during his retirement. Better than 73-year-old Mick Jagger who’s still working and having babies.
- Honorable mention. Jimmie Johnson won his seventh career NASCAR championship, tying the record set by driving legends Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty.
Overtime
- Northwestern University will wear stickers on their helmets to honor Craig Sager, an alum of the school. Sager, who lost his battle with cancer on Dec. 15th, was one of the most respected sideline reporters in sports and was known for his colorful outfits.
Sideline stat
- In 2000 the Fertitta brothers purchased UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for $2 million. In 2016, they sold it $4 billion, the most expensive transaction for an organization in sports history. Glad we don’t have to pay those taxes.
Coaches’ corner
- The sports world lost so many sports icons this year including "The Greatest" boxer Muhammed Ali (74), sports reporter Craig Sager (65), women's basketball coach Pat Summitt (64), Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez (24) and the storied golfer and namesake of your favorite refreshment Arnold Palmer (87).
The Rundown: Return With Receipt
As we sleep off our Christmas hangover many of our friends around the world are celebrating the third day of Hanukkah and Boxing Day. While our Commonwealth buddies are watching soccer and horse racing, here in the U.S.A. we’re sale shopping and returning unwanted gifts.
Store credit? We’ll take the cold hard cash,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE)
- Coal in their stockings. For the first time since 2003, neither of the two teams that played in the previous year’s Super Bowl will make the playoffs (Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers).
- Show me your muscles. The Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions game has been flexed into the Sunday Night game next week as the NFC North title hangs in the balance. This game is dubbed “game 256” because it’s the last of the 256 regular season games.
- Put your back into it. Dontari Poe, a 346-pound player for the Kansas City Chiefs, became the heaviest player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass. Seriously? Who keeps these stats?
NBA (NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)
- I'd like to report a crime. The new collective bargaining agreement has a clause where players can call a designated hotline to voice their displeasure to the league about individual referees. Do you have a quarter?
OVERTIME
- New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony gifted a new car to the family of Jarrell Lara before yesterday's Christmas Day game. Lara, who Anthony previously met on a Make-A-Wish visit, suffers from a rare form of cancer.
SIDELINE STAT
- There was a Christmas miracle in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns (NFL) won their first game in 377 days, ending their quest for a winless season.
COACHES’ CORNER
- What does it mean to be a “flexed” game like the Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions? This has nothing to do with the “gun show.” It means NBC has the ability to pick the most important game of the Sunday football schedule and move it into the primetime TV spot.
The Rundown: Happy Chrismukkah!
While the rest of the world is celebrating the holidays, we're working hard to cover the trending topics in sports. It’ll give you something else to talk about with your family besides your cousin who imbibed in a little too much spiked eggnog the night before.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - Like the Jelly of the Month club, being a Last Night’s Game subscriber is the gift that keeps on giving. Share us with your family and friends.
NCAA Basketball (College)
- Those are some big feet. Duke University’s Grayson Allen is considered one of the best basketball players in the nation but he’s tripping…quite literally. Allen intentionally tripped an opposing player on Wednesday and he has a checkered past of intentionally tripping opponents. Duke announced he will be suspended indefinitely until he’s mentally ready to play and act like an adult.
NFL (National Football League)
- Best secret Santa ever. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (aka Ciara’s hubby) took care of the guys who take care of him. He bought his offensive line (the guys who protect him from the other team’s defense) brand new TV’s for the holidays. Don’t worry, he didn’t forget about the rest of his team. He bought each teammate first class plane tickets to anywhere they want to go.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Bringing their A game. Christmas Day is a big day for the NBA and typically features the best matchups. Sunday’s games include a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors vs the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as a game for citywide bragging rights when the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Overtime
- Tiger Woods let us know he is in the holiday spirit by sharing a picture of himself on Twitter as "Mac Daddy Santa.” Yep the photo is as weird and awkward as you think. This isn’t the mall Santa you used to visit as a child.
Sideline stat
- Apparently the underwhelming University of Texas football season drove their fans to drink because stadium alcohol sales were up 70% this season compared to previous years. Alcohol sales at UT football games generated more than $3.1 million in revenue in only six home games.
Coaches’ corner
- Sunday’s Christmas Day game between the Clippers and the Lakers is a home game for both teams. How? The teams share the same home arena – the Staples Center.