The 2018 calendar year had some of the most unprecedented moments in recent sports history. Despite a few thrilling upsets, 2018 was filled with controversy, boneheaded plays, and shocking scandals that rocked the sports world both figuratively and literally.
Here’s a look at the top seven sports narratives from two years ago. Do you remember where you were when these moments hit the headlines? Continue reading to see if you agree with our list!
#7: J.R. Smith’s NBA Finals Boneheaded Mishap
With the score tied in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith grabbed his team’s missed free throw with 4.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
Rather than lay the ball back up to take the lead or pass it out to George Hill or LeBron James for a chance to win, Smith dribbled the ball to the top of the key and let the clock expire with the score still tied.. The Warriors would go on to dominate overtime to take a 1-0 series lead. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant would lead his team to a 4-0 sweep to capture the 2018 NBA Finals Championship.
#6: Serena Williams Loses U.S. Open in Controversial Fashion
During the Finals match of the 2018 U.S. Open, Serena Williams got into a heated argument with chair umpire Carlos Ramos over a couple of controversial calls.
She received two warnings, one for coaching and another for smashing her racket, after her opponent, Naomi Osaka, broke her serve. Williams went on to call Ramos a thief and demanded an apology.. William’s over the top tantrum would overshadow Osaka’s 6-2, 6-4 U.S. Open Championship — the first Grand Slam title of her young career.
#5: The Minneapolis Miracle
With 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game, the Minnesota Vikings were trailing the New Orleans Saints 24-23.
On their own 39-yard line with no timeouts remaining, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum took the shotgun snap and hurled the ball down the left sideline toward wide receiver Stephon Diggs.. The University of Maryland standout leaped into the air and snagged the pass all while avoiding would be tacklers. He scampered into the endzone as time expired to send the Vikings to the NFC Championship game.
#4: Larry Nassar Sentenced to Jail for Sexually Abusing USA Gymnasts
Former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar admitted to sexually abusing some of the country’s top-performing gymnasts while they were under his care.
Over the course of a seven-day hearing, more than 150 women and girls offered testimonies of Nassar’s abuse. He was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison for his multiple sex crimes.
#3: Backup QB Nick Foles Leads Eagles to Super Bowl Victory
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady set a championship record in passing during Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it was Eagles backup QB Nick Foles that hoisted the Lombardi trophy after time had expired.
After starting quarterback Carson Wentz went down with an injury late in the season, Foles led the underdog Eagles to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.. The biggest highlight of the game was Foles catching a touchdown pass from an undrafted tight end on a play called the “Philly Special.”
#2: No. 16 UMBC Upsets No. 1 Virginia in first round of March Madness
Heading into the 2018 NCAA tournament, a No. 16 seed had never defeated a No. 1 seed. In fact, the lowest seed in the bracket was 0-135 against the tournament’s top seeds. But on March 16, 2018, that all changed.
The University of Maryland Baltimore County shocked the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round, winning in dominating fashion 74-54. Although the Golden Retrievers lost their next game, the historic moment changed March Madness permanently.
#1: Mexico Defeats Germany in First Game of World Cup
In regard to betting odds, Mexico was a +620 underdog when they faced off against Germany in the opening game of group play of the 2018 World Cup. A quick summation of these betting odds is as follows: Mexico wasn’t going to win. Well… they weren’t supposed to, anyway.
In the 35th minute, Mexico’s Hirving Lozano squeaked the ball past Germany’s goalie to secure the only goal of the match, giving Germany its first opening World Cup game loss in 36 years.. After defeating Costa Rica in their second game, Germany would go on to lose 2-0 to South Korea. The German team was officially eliminated in group play for the first time in its storied history.. By the way, Mexico’s defeat of Germany caused such a ruckus in Mexico City that it caused an artificial earthquake.