Sports in 2014

2014 did not disappoint sports fans. There were many record breaking performances, close games, controversy, and incredible plays that made 2014 a year to remember.

The year began with the annual NHL Winter Classic. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a shootout, 3-2, at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The excitement continued as Auburn led Florida State 21-3 late in the 2nd quarter during the final BCS National Championship game. Auburn managed to reach the championship by an incredible finish against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Florida State reached the championship thanks to a great season by their freshman QB and Heisman winner Jameis Winston. Kelvin Benjamin caught the game winning touchdown for Florida State with 13 seconds left. Florida State won the BCS over Auburn 34-31.

January continued with more great football when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady faced off for the 15th time in their careers. The Broncos dominated football all years in large part to the record breaking season that MVP QB Peyton Manning had. The Broncos pulled away after Broncos WR Wes Welker put a hit on Patriots CB Aqib Talib that caused him to miss the rest of the game. While the Broncos were heading to the Super Bowl, many people were left asking if Welker intentionally hurt former teammate Talib. 

The day was not over as the Seattle Seahawks took on the San Francisco 49ers. The Legion of Boom had been controlling football all year but the 49ers were playing in their 3rd straight NFC Championship and looking to win the Super Bowl after they fell 1 play short against the Ravens a year before. The Seahawks won after Richard Sherman broke up a TD pass. Luckily for the Seahawks, Richard Sherman was stuck on a sorry receiver named Michael Crabtree.

The Super Bowl started with the football flying past Peyton Manning and the Broncos as the Seahawks were awarded a safety. The defense and special teams for the Seahawks played incredible with a safety, INT for a TD and a kick return for a TD to start the 2nd half. The Broncos scored their only points with a TD as time expired in the 3rd quarter. The Legion of Boom played one of the best game all year as the Super Bowl MVP was a defensive player. Linebacker Malcom Smith of the Seahawks was named MVP after he had nine tackles, a fumble recovery, and a INT returned for a TD. Super Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson spent his offseason playing some baseball for the Texas Rangers.

 The world came to a stop when the 2014 Winter olympics began in Sochi, Russia. T.J. Oshie became a hero for the USA hockey team when he converted 4 of 6 shoutout attempts to push the US over Russia but ultimately the USA lost to Canada and later failed to win the Bronze. The USA did very well in snowboarding but surprisingly Shaun White did not fare so well. Jamie Anderson and Kaitlyn Farrington helped bring home two gold medals in snowboarding. While the games were very exciting to watch, unfortunately there were many problems the city of Sochi had. There was even a Sochi Problems Twitter account which included American bobsledder, Johnny Quinn, who had to break down a door because he was trapped. The USA ended up with the 2nd most medals behind Russia. 

March Madness was not a let down. Many brackets did not last long. Ask Falcons WR Roddy White how Duke lost. Mercer upset Duke in the first round of the tourney. Kentucky snuck out of a tough Midwest bracket as they upset Wichita State and later beat Michigan. UConn on the other hand had a very rough journey. UConn beat number 2 Villanova, number 3 Iowa State, number 4 Michigan state, and number 1 Florida before they beat number 8 Kentucky. 

The 2014 MLB baseball season was a little different than usual. 

• Clayton Kershaw suffered a 6-8 week injury after signing a mega contract in the offseason before having arguably the best season for a Pitcher being crowned NL CY Young and NL MVP.
• Derek Jeter enjoyed his last season playing baseball as his farewell tour lasted all season including a memorable 2014 All-star game. 
• Jose Abreu had one of the best rookie seasons.
• Giancarlo Stanton had an incredible year with a trip to the Homerun derby were he send a Baseball to space before his season was cut short after a devastating hit to the jaw. 
• The Athletics sent their best hitter and 2 time Homerun derby champion Yoenis Cespedes to Boston for Jon Lester in an attempt to finally win the World Series. 
• The KC Royals got so hot late in the season that they ended up in the playoffs for the first time in 29 years and made it to the World Series but lost in game 7. 
• Madison Bumgarner was the closest thing to Mr. October we will see. While in the playoffs Bumgarner was Iron Man and was the reason the Giants won the World Series. 
• With Jeter out of baseball the attention now turns to 2014 AL MVP Mike Trout to be the face of baseball. 

The ageless San Antonio Spurs spoiled the Miami Heat's 3peat in what was LeBron's final game in Miami. LeBron opted out of his final contract in Miami to return home to Cleveland. Cavalier's rookie Andrew Wiggins was never able to get comfortable in the city of Cleveland as he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love, after he signed his rookie contract. Kevin Durant had one of the most memorable MVP speeches, as he told his mom that she is the real MVP. 

The Stanley Cup was hoisted by the LA Kings for the 2nd time in 3 years. The Minnesota Wild signed Thomas Vanek hoping he will be the final piece in their search for the Stanley Cup. Martin Brodeur entered the crease once again, but not as a New Jersey Devil, but as a St. Louis Blues goalies. 

The 2014 NFL season started in a dark place. With serious off the field issues regarding Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, the NFL had problems they needed to figure out. Both players were suspended but that didn't solve the real problem with NFL players. JJ Watt was been Mr.Incredible since his huge contract and could/should be the NFL MVP. Aaron Rodgers has been almost unstoppable and Tom Brady went from a wash up QB to MVP in a matter of a few weeks. The highly anticipated Johnny Manziel finally got his first start but flopped. Don't give up on Manziel yet but be skeptical. 

The Miami Heat have found ways to win without the King while the Cavaliers have struggled with their new royalty. 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker went down with a season ending injury. Derek Rose is still in and out with injuries and the fresh looking Timberwolves have struggled with their young talent.

Marcus Mariota had an great 2014 season. The Heisman winner lead the Oregon Ducks to a 12-1 season and a trip to the Rose Bowl where they will face the undefeated and reigning champions Florida State. FSU Jameis Winston has struggled on and off the field this season. With a game suspension with an incident on campus, stolen crab legs and sexual assault accusation, Winston looks to end his college career without a loss. Ohio State reached the playoffs with their 3rd string QB and Alabama does what Alabama does, win.