As 2017 draws to an end, we’re reflecting on the year that was in sports. We’ve put together 17 of our favorite 2017 plays, moments, stories and highlights in sports…
January 28th, 2017 – Serena Williams wins the Australian Open while 2 months pregnant
Is there anything this woman can’t do?
Fun fact my daughters initials are AO as in the Aussie open she won with me @AustralianOpen
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 28, 2017
February 2nd, 2017 – Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks from near the free throw line
This would be pretty good if it was in the slam dunk competition – BUT THIS WAS DURING A GAME! Impressive.
February 5th, 2017 – Patriots comeback to win the Super Bowl, highlighted by Edelman’s crazy catch
Down by 25 mid-way through the 3rd quarter, the New England Patriots came back to stun the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime at Super Bowl LI. The historic event will likely be remembered by Julien Edelman’s mindboggling catch on the game-tying drive.
March 5th, 2017 – Phoenix Suns score 5 points in the last 4 seconds to beat the Boston Celtics at the buzzer
Down by 2, the Phoenix Suns tie the game and then steal the ball and throw up a 3 for the win. 2017 was not a memorable year for Suns fans but this game likely will be a highlight for years to come.
March 19th, 2017 – Buffalo Beauts win their first Isobel Cup in franchise history
The Buffalo Beauts outlasted the Boston Pride 3-2 to capture the 2nd NWHL Isobel Cup. The NWHL was formed in 2015.
We had the privilege of designing the @BuffaloBeauts‘ @NWHL #IsobelCup ring. Here are some of the social media reactions to our design…
Need a ring created?
Get in touch with us: https://t.co/KDkdl0TuRO pic.twitter.com/HYU0WHmxH2— Legend Rings (@LegendRings) November 16, 2017
March 31st, 2017 – UConn’s 111-game win streak ends in epic fashion
What a finish to this March Madness semi-final. Mississippi St. saw a 16-point lead disappear and then their game-winning shot blocked in regulation. But, it doesn’t matter how you beat the team that isn’t supposed to lose. What matters is that you win.
THE. STREAK. IS. DEAD. pic.twitter.com/7ksEP5iDAc
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 1, 2017
April 23rd, 2017 – Lionel Messi scores late to stun Real Madrid in El Clasico
Red Sox vs. Yankees, Lakers vs. Celtics, Michigan vs. Ohio St., Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens, North Carolina vs. Duke, Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. There’s games, and then there are rivalry games. El Clasico is known as one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports and Messi scored in stoppage time for the win. That’s clutch!
June 9th, 2017 – Lebron James throws an alley-oop, to himself
When you’re Lebron, sometimes you don’t need teammates. This was the only game (Game 4) in The Finals that the Cavs won, but this creative play is still remarkable. The Golden State Warriors would go on to win the NBA Champions 4 games to 1.
Can’t stop watching this. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/qfR8u6ApKe
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2017
June 25th, 2017 – Jordan Spieth makes a 30-foot shot from the bunker to win the Travelers Championship in a sudden death playoff
Golf gets a bad rep for being a boring sport. This shot is anything but. A bit of luck plus lots of skill equals one amazing clutch shot.
August 22nd to September 15th, 2017 – Cleveland Indians 22 game winning streak
3 weeks of magic in The Land. The Indians went on the longest winning streak (without a tie) in baseball history.
Win streak: 22
Magic number: 3#WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWindians pic.twitter.com/WpZZEENMY8
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 15, 2017
August 26th, 2017 – The Money Fight
Also known as The Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History – the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Junior faced off against MMA star Connor McGregor after months of build up to the event. Although McGregor held his own in his very first foray into professional boxing, Mayweather won via a TKO in the 10th round.
September 3rd, 2017 – UCLA comes back from a 35-point deficit to beat Texas A&M
Down by 35 late in the 3rd quarter, Josh Rosen lead the Bruins all the way back to win 45-44. If that wasn’t enough, UCLA faked a spike and threw a touchdown on the game winning play with 45 seconds to go. Everything about this victory was great.
September 8th, 2017 – Purdue’s flea flicker versus Ohio
We love a good trick play. This lowkey week 2 match-up turned out one of the biggest highlight reel moments of the 2017 College Football season.
November 1st, 2017 – Houston Astros win their first World Series
The Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 for their first World Series victory in franchise history. And, they couldn’t have picked a better year to do it. After Houston was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey in late August, the Astros’ win was an emotional one for the entire city.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY, THE #ASTROS ARE #WORLDSERIES CHAMPIONS! #EARNEDHISTORY pic.twitter.com/lTo9MNqzVR
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 2, 2017
December 3rd, 2017 – Tarik Cohen’s punt return TD against the 49ers
One moment, you think Cohen is going down for a big loss. The next, he’s taking it to the house. The best part: just when you think he couldn’t run any faster, he seems to impossibly pick up speed at the 5-yard line.
This is why you DO NOT kick to @TarikCohen.
Absolutely ridiculous. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/UahwkjI02F
— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2017
December 21st, 2017 – Kristaps Porzingis misattributes a Wayne Gretzky quote
The New York Knicks star (ironically, known for having a few memorable quotes of his own) misattributed Wayne Gretzky’s “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” quote to Kobe Bryant. It’s been a long time since The Great One’s suited up in a Rangers jersey but still…
“‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky’ -Michael Scott’ – Kobe Bryant.” – Kristaps Porzingis. https://t.co/s64nBJMPeb
— Kyle Madson (@KyleAMadson) December 22, 2017
December 25th, 2017 – DeAndre Hopkins’ ridiculous TD catch
Merry Christmas to DeAndre Hopkins indeed. What a stunning display of athleticism, even at a meaningless point in a meaningless game for the Texans.
NO. WHAT. CATCH OF THE YEAR!?@DeAndreHopkins is BAD man! #Texans#PITvsHOU pic.twitter.com/k0Wgx2JlCv
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2017
Did we miss something? What was your favourite sports highlight/story/play/moment of 2017? – Tweet us @LegendRings and let us know.
