While 2016 offered many electrifying moments in sports history, it pales in comparison to what 2017 had waiting for sports fans and enthusiasts. From comeback wins to first championship victories, 2017 was filled to the brim with moments that will be forever etched into our memories.
Unable to narrow down 2017’s greatest sports moments to five, we’ve added two more for your reading pleasure. Here are the top seven sports moments of 2017.
#7: Serena Williams Wins Australian Open While Pregnant
The 2017 calendar year for Serena Williams was quite unusual as she only competed in two tournaments. After losing to Madison Brengle in her first competition, she entered the Australian Open, a tournament she had won seven times.
Not only did Williams never drop a set, even in the championship match against her older sister Venus, she won the Australian Open while in the first trimester of her pregnancy.. Williams’ daughter, Olympia, is now three years old and has begun taking tennis lessons. Like mother, like daughter!
#6: Sergio García Wins First Major PGA Tournament
Prior to stepping onto the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia for the 2017 Masters tournament, Sergio García had competed in over 70 majors without a win.
García and Justin Rose shared the lead at six-under heading into the final round. Although he kept it together through the first nine holes, it appeared the pressure was getting to García as he stumbled on the 13th.. He recovered, however, and shot a 69, sending the match into a playoff round against Rose. García would go on to defeat Rose on the 18th hole and secure the coveted green jacket.
#5: Connor McGregor Goes Toe-To-Toe With Floyd Mayweather
On August 26, 2017, MMA icon Connor McGregor stepped into the boxing ring to face undefeated Floyd Mayweather in what many believed was going to be a lopsided fight.
While no one expected McGregor to actually defeat arguably one of the greatest fighters in boxing history, he did give spectators a show — a promise he always delivered on.. Although McGregor landed a few blows, Mayweather toyed with the Irishman, knocking him off by TKO in the 10th round. Watching the MMA and WBA worlds collide was a story for the ages.
#4: Mississippi St. Ends Uconn’s 111-Game Winning Streak in Epic Fashion
The Uconn women’s basketball program had won 111 consecutive games heading into the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. All the Huskies had to do was defeat Mississippi State in order to compete for their 12th national title. The lady Bulldogs had other plans, however.
With the score knotted at 64 with just over 3 seconds remaining in overtime, Mississippi State point guard Morgan William drove the ball to her right and sank a pull up jumper with no time left on the clock.. The Bulldogs snapped the Huskies’ hearts and winning streak with a single shot.
#3: Houston Astros Win First Word Series Championship
In what seems like decades ago, baseball fans all over the country were rooting for the Houston Astros during the 2017 seasons.
While this collective sentiment has drastically changed due to the club’s prolific sign-stealing scandal, Jose Altuve and company were the darlings of the MLB three years ago.. What made the Astros first World Series title so special was how it united the city following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Irma. While many discredit the Astros’ championship, the phrase “Houston Strong” will be forever immortalized in sports history.
#2: Clemson Defeats Alabama With Last-Second Touchdown Pass
After losing the 2016 NCAA National Championship to Alabama 45-40, the Clemson Tigers got their revenge the following year in epic fashion. After blowing out the Ohio Buckeyes 31-0 in the CFP semi-finals, the Tigers once again faced the Crimson Tide.
After falling behind 24-14 at halftime, Clemson began clawing its way back. With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts scored, giving his team a 31-28 lead.. On the ensuing drive, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson drove the Tigers down the field to set up first and goal at the three-yard line with just six ticks left on the clock.. On the very next play, Watson hit redshirt sophomore Hunter Renfrow for the game-winning touchdown to capture the Tigers’ first National Championship since 1981.
#1: Patriots Complete Greatest Comeback in Super Bowl History
Heading into Super Bowl 51, the New England Patriots were slightly favored over the Atlanta Falcons. While it was Tom Brady’s seventh Super Bowl appearance, he played like it was his first.
Halfway through the third quarter, the Falcons had a commanding 28-3 lead. Down by 25 points, it appeared that Brady was about to lose his third Super Bowl. But not so fast…. The Patriots scored 25 unanswered points, including two 2-point conversions and a miraculous catch by Julian Edelman, to force overtime. Brady then led the Patriots down the field on the opening drive and scored the game-winning touchdown to secure the Vince Lombardi trophy.