Looking back on 2019, the headlines were dominated by sports moments ranging from monumental triumphs to epic comebacks. Whether a person was an avid sports fan or a casual follower, 2019 had something for everyone.
Here’s a quick look at the seven most notable sports stories that captured the media’s full attention in 2019.
#7: U.S. Women’s National Team Dominates World Cup
Heading into the 2019 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. women’s national team was positioned to repeat as champions. Led by Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe and a slew of young talent, the U.S. demonstrated their prowess immediately, defeating Thailand 13-0 in the opening match of group play.
The Americans would go on to outscore their opponents 26-3, winning all seven of its matches. They secured their second consecutive World Cup championship with a 2-0 victory over the emerging team from the Netherlands.
#6: Kawhi Leonard’s Bouncing Buzzer Beater
With just over four seconds remaining in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors had the ball with a chance to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in epic fashion.
Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard received the inbounds pass and dribbled the ball to the top corner of the court and launched a fade away jumper just inside the three point arch. The ball bounced high off the rim, before rattling around and dropping through the net.. Toronto would go on to defeat the Golden State Warriors in six games to capture the franchise’s first NBA Finals championship, denying Steph Curry and company their third consecutive title.
#5: The Endless Drama of WR Antonio Brown
Ahead of the 2019 NFL season, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver phenom Antonio Brown dominated the headlines with his ongoing saga about anything and everything.
After joining the then-Oakland Raiders, Brown suffered frostbite on his feet and persistently complained about the league’s new helmet regulations. The team would end up trading Brown to the New England Patriots, where he caught a touchdown pass in Week 2.. After sexual allegations against Brown surfaced, the Patriots sent him packing. He sat out the rest of the 2019 season, and was just recently signed by the Buccaneers to rejoin Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
#4: Djokovic Defeats Federer in Classic Wimbledon Duel
The powerful Novak Djokovic faced off against the elegant, grass court wizard Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon Championship in London on July 14.
The two top-seeded ATP superstars battled it out for four hours and 57 minutes — the longest men’s singles final in tournament history. The match culminated in a fifth-set tiebreaker in which Djokovic won 13-12 to capture his fifth Wimbledon title.
#3: Tiger Woods Wins First Major in 11 Years
The 44-year-old Tiger Woods secured his fifth Green Jacket of his career by winning the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Course. He outlasted a group of competitors atop the leaderboard, including Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, to win his 15 major and first since 2008.
After sinking a bogey putt to clinch the victory, Woods walked off the 18th green and embraced his two children who were not old enough to remember the last time their dad had won a major. Sam was just shy of 1 and Charlie was not yet born.. The 2019 Masters was Woods’ first come-from-behind major victory of his career.
#2: Angels Throw Combined No-Hitter for Fallen Teammate
Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died of a drug overdose on July 1, 2019, at just 27 years old. It was one of the most heartbreaking stories of the calendar year.
On July 12, approximately a week and a half following Skaggs’ untimely death, the Angels paid tribute to their fallen teammate. Tyler’s mom, Debbie, threw out the first pitch, and all members of the team wore No. 45 in Tyler’s honor. The tribute, however, was not yet complete.. Pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Peña combined to throw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in a 13-0 route. To top the evening off, the Angels laid their jerseys atop the mound in a final tribute to their fallen friend.
#1: Stephen F. Austin Upsets Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in 2019, top-ranked Duke was tied with Stephen F. Austin midway through the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Keep this in mind, the Lumberjacks were an unranked team from a non-power conference.
With around 12 seconds left in overtime, the Blue Devils had the ball and were looking to take the last shot. SFA’s Gavin Kensmil intercepted an entry pass from Duke’s Tre Jones and passed it to Nathan Bain who split two Duke defenders, sprinted down the court, and laid the ball in as time expired.. The Lumberjacks, who were 27.5-point underdogs, defeated the Blue Devils 85-83, recording the biggest upset in NCAA history. Duke had not lost at home to a non-conference opponent in 150 games.