I do not plan on this being your typical, cliché publication of "Yay, 2020 is almost over. Let's get to it, 2021." We will see enough of that on our Twitter timelines and Instagram feeds over the next 72 hours. 2020 has had ups and it has had downs, maybe some more than others. You don't need my personal testimony. I am more for sharing sports stories and opinions anyway.
Speaking of ups and downs, what better way to describe the 2020 sports year than that? January alone had a few great ups, but also had one of the biggest downs we as sports lovers would experience all year. It started off with the LSU Tigers capping off an undefeated and incredible season with a National Championship over the Clemson Tigers. Heisman trophy winner Joe (or, JEUX) Burrow threw up an incredible stat line of 463 yards and five touchdowns. On January 14 the WNBA established a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The new CBA included substantial salary increases, improved conditions for travel, and expanded benefits for mothers. WNBA players had the opportunity to be making a six-figure salary ... for the first time in history.
January 25 came and LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant on the NBA all-time scoring list. The King moved up to third on this list full of greatness with 33,655 points. It was quite a moment. Less than 24 hours later we all received news that no one wanted to believe. Kobe, Gigi and seven others were taken all too soon in a helicopter crash on the morning of January 26. It was truly the day the world stood still. It was not just sports lovers like you and I who mourned, but the entire world took this loss straight to the heart. Many of us still are.
May they continue to rest in peace as they are so very missed.
Kansas City ended a 50-year drought by winning the Super Bowl on February 2 with a 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Quite frankly, they have a high chance of going back-to-back. After the Super Bowl COVID-19 was alive and prevalent in the United States. Rudy Gobert was the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus on March 11, shutting down the NBA for 30 days ... that turned into three months. Sticking with basketball, the NCAA took a $375 million cut by canceling the March Madness tournament. This is arguably the greatest tournament in sports (although I am not sure who would argue, but there is always one). This shocked many people because no one is used to the NCAA skipping out on money ... since they make so much of it off of player likeness (too much? oops).
At the end of March we learned that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be postponed until 2021, wishfully. I will admit that this was one I forgot about. The last time this occurred was in 1940 when the summer and winter Olympics were forfeited, due to World War II. WWII.
The WNBA began a trend on April 17 by hosting the first virtual draft, welcoming No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu to the New York Liberty. This may have been the first ever virtual draft, but it was also the most-watched WNBA draft in 16 years. Much of this evening was dedicated to the WNBA-aspiring athletes who were in that helicopter with Gigi earlier this year. The trend continued with Roger Goodell calling NFL draft picks from his basement. This three-day event shattered records with 55 million viewers. Nothing compares to draft days and even though the idea of a virtual draft does not seem all that intriguing, leagues did a stand-up job on working to make this, still, the most memorable night for these young athletes ... even Bill Belichick's dog made an appearance.
Another change that has been pushed for decades and forever overdue came on July 13. The formerly-known Washington Redskins announced their name change. Major sponsors began speaking out on the insensitivity to this franchise's nickname and it was time to make it happen. Temporarily known as the Washington Football Team, we will see if there may be a more permanent name come 2021.
July 22 came and Mookie Betts got paid. Like, yeah yeah yeah he PAID. He signed the second-richest contract in baseball that keeps him in Los Angeles for 12 years. The following day was Opening Day for MLB's shortened season of just 60 games. This was certainly a battle that came with not being in a bubble. Multiple games postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. Nonetheless, a champion was crowned in October.
July 24 and July 30 were the dates that the WNBA and NBA tipped-off in their Florida bubbles. Both leagues, at the forefront, used their voices in the absolute best way that they could in order to bring the change so desperately needed to this country. These athletes tackled racial injustice issues, taking stands like we have never seen before. This was all while being tested by rigorous game schedules and mental tolls of isolation while being away from friends and family. LeBron James leading the way in using his voice and his platform with an indescribable force. There truly are not enough words to describe the impact that this man has, and has had for years, but in 2020 we saw and we heard LeBron James. On August 26 the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 of the first-round of playoffs in protest to the Kenosha, Wisconsin, police shooting of James Blake -- the rest of the league and other professional leagues joined in solidarity. A display of togetherness is what this showcased and it sure was a powerful one.
In September the NFL was kicking off. How many of us can remember the doubt we had of even getting to watch a single down this year? Now we are at Week 17. The Los Angeles Chargers (I still cannot say without second guessing myself) opened up Sofi Stadium, a 3.1 million square feet masterpiece. This was the first football stadium built in LA city limits in 100 years. Power 5 football also made their return in September. I may not be at a loss for words very often when it comes to writing, but the way this college football season played truly left me speechless. What a weird one? Until the playoffs expand to at least eight teams then it will continue to be ... weird.
Throughout September Naomi Osaka played seven different matches, wearing seven different masks, with seven different names on them. These names were the names of people killed because of racial injustice or police brutality. When asked what her message was Osaka returned with, "Well, what was the message that you got is more the question?"
LeBron James brought the Los Angeles Lakers an NBA Championship on October 11, tying them for most ships ever with none other than the Boston Celtics. This is LeBron's fourth championship, and this ageless wonder seems to be nowhere near finished.
For you, Bean.
On October 24 Khabib Nurmagomedov reached an exquisite yet underrated accomplishment of 29-0. After this victory he announced his retirement.
I mentioned previously that we would be getting a new World Series Champion in October. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays. This feels like so long ago, right? Or is it just me? After the victory, third baseman Justin Turner threw all COVID-19 protocols out of the window as he came out onto the field to celebrate ... despite receiving a positive test and being pulled from the game in the eighth inning. How that came about and why he was on the field to begin with is all too ... 2020 to me. Again with the weird.
So many NFL things happening throughout this time, but if I went through them all I would leave you here until next year (get it?). There was even a Wednesday game taken place. Wednesday at 3:40 PM. I did like the outcome of that one though.
There were a couple things that happened on November 28. Most notably, Sarah Fuller became the first woman to play and score in a Power 5 football game, and I am certain she will not be the last. She was the placekicker for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
2020 did to us as what Jake Paul did to Nate Robinson on November 28.
Knock. Out.
On December 22 the NBA came back, and so did Kevin Durant. This season may be short, but it will not let us down.
Another NBA story to not let you down ... Becky Hammon. The night of December 30 the San Antonio Spurs were taking on the Los Angeles Lakers. Greg Popovich was ejected. That part was normal, but what came after was anything but normal ... until now. Becky Hammon became the first woman to act as a head coach during an NBA regular season game.
I can assure you that, just as Sarah Fuller, Becky will not be the last.
I threw a lot of dates at you, and a lot of information. 2020 threw a lot at us within sports. And it came fast. Sports are my therapy, and they never stop teaching me.
2020 may have made you laugh, cry, cringe, smile, frown, scream, jump for joy, sit in sadness, or maybe even all of the above. Regardless, if you are reading this then that means that you are still here. That is a blessing to hold onto and you are able to manifest so many more accomplishments coming up. Maybe you are nonchalant about the New Year, maybe you are excited, and maybe you aren't, but regardless 2021 is coming.
So, it's time for kick off.
The end of 2020 does not mean anything other than the end of writing "2020" down as the year when you go to write the date. In 2021 our voices must continue to fight for change and to stand up for what we believe. May we never back down. No one is free until ALL are free.
Black Lives Matter.
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