The Decade in Sports

This decade in sports has been one for the record books. There have been a few close Super Bowls and Final Fours. There have been lots of great athletes and teams over the years. In this article I will tell you what I think of this decade in sports.

In the NFL Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLIII were amazing. The one thing that stood out to me is that the Giants and the Cardinals were not predicted to have a shot in the Super Bowl but both of the teams played it close vs. teams that were better than them in the Patriots and the Steelers. I think it is amazing that David Tyree caught that jump ball on his helmet in Super Bowl XLII. I think that or Santonio Holmes’ touchdown on the edge of the out of bounds line would have to be the play of the decade. I think both were unbelievable but I think David Tyree’s catch would have to be the play of the decade. That guy must have put bubble gum on the top of his helmet so he could catch that ball. I think the player of the decade in the NFL would have to be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. I know Brady has three rings and Peyton only has one, but Peyton has three league MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP. I think Peyton Manning has been unbelievable this decade, and he has led the Colts to a Super Bowl and is trying to lead them to a 19 and 0 season this year. I think he would be the player of the decade in the NFL.

In the MLB it has been a decent decade. The Yankees won their 27^th World Series, the Phillies almost went back to back, Manny got traded, and Barry Bonds broke Hank Aarons home run record, but then we found out he took steroids, then A-Rod, then Ortiz, and then Manny. So steroids have kind of ruled the decade. Tim Lincecum won back-to-back NL Cy Youngs and Albert Pujols won back-to-back NL MVPs.

In the NBA, the Lakers have been to 6 NBA Finals and won 4 this decade. They have really ruled this decade with Kobe Bryant and Shaq. With these two superstars, they won back to back to back to back Championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. I think either Kobe or Lebron would have to be the player of the decade, and the franchise of the decade would have to be the Lakers. With Lebron playing for the Cavs, they are in the running for an NBA Championship every year, but they have always come just short so I give my franchise of the decade award to the Lakers.

I would have to say the decade in hockey was not the best. The Red Wings and the Penguins are really the only teams that get the talk when the season starts. They have won three together and with no 2004-05 season there hasn’t really been anything to talk about. There was no final second Stanley Cup winner like there has been in the Super Bowl the past two years, and with the season being so long not a lot of people follow the NHL until the playoff races heat up. I think with Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin the sport has become more popular but it still has a long way to go before it becomes what the NFL or College Football is right now.

College Football is one of the most popular sports. I think that is because so many people love the sport of football and when it involves where they went to school, fans get excited. They can get together with their college friends in the fall and enjoy a college football game. The students go to every single game at home. For them it is a great thing to do on a Saturday, and they get to see their friends. I think the rivalry games like Texas vs. Oklahoma or Ohio State vs. Michigan have brought so much attention to this game. The fact that these players are trying to show that they have what it takes to play pro football is what is so exciting. I think the fans and the history make this game what it is today.

College Basketball is known for the UNC vs. Duke rivalry. There is so much on the line. The fans at these schools show up for every game no matter if it is UNC vs. Duke or some division three teams. Fans watch or go to every game they can, and that is why this game is what it is. Not the teams and not the scores but the fans. In college athletics, like I said for football, it’s all about the fans for basketball as well. This game would be nothing without fans.

Male Athlete of Decade - Peyton Manning

Female Athlete of Decade – Serena Williams

Franchise of Decade – Lakers

Coach of Decade – Roy Williams

College Athlete of Decade- Tyler Hansbrough