The Top Ten Most Memorable Sports Moments of 2010

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Jacob Bunn

Here is Bunn Sports’ compilation of the ten most memorable sports moments of 2010. Obviously, we could not put everything of significance on a list of ten. But, we did cover a lot of ground. This list was formed by suggestions from fans but was arranged by Bunn Sports.

Enjoy!

10. The Endless Match:  Isner vs Mahut (June 22-24)

American John Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut of France in a tennis match that will be remembered for ages. The match was eleven hours and three minutes long and took three days to complete. The match finished with a total of 183 games (a record). It also set the record as the longest professional tennis match in Wimbledon and tennis history.

9. Boise State is Taken Down (November 26)

After all of the preseason hype and debate about whether Boise State should get a shot to play in the BCS Championship if it runs the table, it turned out that the Broncos could not even do that. Kyle Brotzman, the Boise State kicker, missed a game winner in regulation and a kick that would have tied the game in overtime to seal the Broncos’ fate. Nevada caused all of the talk about Boise State to come to a screeching halt.

8. Tiger Returns (April 8)

After several months of taking off from the game of golf, Tiger Woods returned to professional play on a beautiful day in Augusta, GA. He ended the Masters tied for fourth, which disappointed him of course.

7. Cash Sought for Cam (November 4)

Shortly after five o’clock central on Thursday, November 4th, 2010, reports by Pete Thamel of the New York Times and Pat Forde, Mark Schlabach, and Chris Low of ESPN surfaced about a pay-for-play scheme by Cam Newton’s (Auburn’s star quarterback) father, Cecil Newton. This came after the most electrifying game that Newton had participated in at Auburn to that point, against LSU. Cam Newton clearly meant more to his team than any other college football player in the country. That is why this report was an explosion in the college football world. The story dragged on for more than a month, and many believe it has not reached a conclusion yet.

6. The Crimson Tide Claims Its Thirteenth Championship (January 7)

After seventeen years of being in the wilderness, Alabama was once again raised to prominence. Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide weathered the regular season schedule perfectly, won the SEC Championship, and then defeated Texas 37-21 in Pasadena to win the BCS Championship.

5. Title Fight on Ice (February 28)

In the 2010 edition of the Winter Olympics, the United States played Canada in an epic hockey game for a gold medal. With minimal time remaining, the U.S. tied the game and forced overtime. In overtime, however, Canada was able to secure the victory. It was a must win for Canada because of the location of the games, Vancouver.

4. Butler Surprises the World (April 3)

As a five seed in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Butler Bulldogs successfully maneuvered their way to the Final Four under the leadership of head coach Brad Stevens. The Bulldogs beat Michigan State in the Final Four to advance to the National Championship Game against Duke. They would end up falling short against the Blue Devils, but Butler made a giant statement in the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

3. The Decision (July 8)

Did I hear that LeBron James has switched teams again? Actually, I did not, but it would not surprise me. In July, the sports world stood still and waited for Mr. James to tell the world where he was going to be playing basketball next season. With the ESPN cameras rolling, he proclaimed that he was leaving Cleveland and going to the Heat. While Cavalier and Heat fans had a vested interest in the decision, the production seemed like a circus to many.

2. Miracle at the Meadowlands Part II (December 18)

Led by quarterback Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 21-point deficit in dramatic fashion to beat the New York Giants in the Big Apple. With fourteen seconds to go in a tie game, the Giants (inadvertently) punted the ball to the awaiting arms of DeSean Jackson. After bobbling the ball initially, Jackson gained his poise and took the ball to the end zone for a dramatic last second touchdown. No, I did not make that up. That may end up being the proverbial ‘nail in the Coughlin,’ I mean coffin, of course, for the Giants head coach.

1. New Orleans Wins Its First Super Bowl (February 7)

Coming into this contest, the Indianapolis Colts were the favored team, and most thought they would win. The game, however, proved to tell a different story. Down by a touchdown, Peyton Manning threw a pass from the opponents’ 33 yard line that was intercepted by Tracy Porter of the Saints and taken to the end zone for a touchdown. That put the topping on a brilliantly played game by the Saints.

Contact Jacob Bunn at jacob@bunnsports.com