2008: The Year of Sports

Michael Phelps capped off the most impressive Olympic performance anyone has ever seen.

Previously, Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals was utterly impossible to break. But swimming star Michael Phelps did the impossible, garnering eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, to break the record.

Usain Bolt went insane at the Beijing Olympics. Winning the 200, 400, and 4 X 1 relay, as well as breaking world records in all those events.

Bolt was one of the two poster children at the Olympics behind Phelps. Winning and setting the world records garnered Bolt the nickname "Lightning Bolt."

Not winning an Olympic gold medal in Men's Basketball since 2000 pushed the U.S. a little harder to win one in the 2008 Olympics as it beat Spain to win the Gold Medal.

Coming off a 16-1 year the Patriots were destined for glory once again but the very first game of the season brought bad news.

Tom Brady went down with a severe season-ending knee injury, ending the Patriots' chances for another undefeated regular season.

The Catch. Those two words explain everything. The undefeated Patriots were dethroned by the underdog Giants. David Tyree's catch led the Giants down the field to win the game, and become one of the biggest upsets in sports ever.

The saga of Brett Favre continued in the 2007 offseason. He wanted to be traded, then he didn't. Green Bay wanted him then they didn't.

Fortunately, a trade ended up going good for him as he's leading the New York Jet's to a playoff berth this 2008 season.

The Big three sports, basketball, baseball, and football all crowned new national champions this year. Fresno St. won the baseball championship, while LSU won the football championship, and Kansas defeated heavily favored Memphis in the basketball championship.

The team with no chance, the Tampa Bay "Rays" turned doubters into believers. Coming off a very bad season in 2007, the Rays ran through opposing teams until they arrived in the World Series, where they were dethroned by the Jimmy-Rollins-led Philadelphia Phillies, the 2008 World Series champions.

After having a horrible 2007 season, the Boston Celtics brought in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, hoping to win a NBA Championship. That they did. The Big Three (Allen, Pierce, Garnett) led them all through the playoffs and to the 2008 NBA Championship.

Henrik Zeterberg led the Red Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup Championship. Another key contributor shown above (Stevie Y) has been a big part of the Red Wings dynasty in his career. The Red Wings are shooting for their second Championship in a row in 2009.

A top draft choice to a heroin addict. Josh Hamilton's life was on a downhill drag until the Texas Rangers took a chance on him. He had a ton of potential but his addictiveness to drugs kept him from his full potential. 2008 was a breakout year for Hamilton. In contention for the Player of the year as well as breaking the home run derby record it was a banner year for this young player with many more bright years in front of him.

Gene Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 20, 2008. He was 63. He was the director of the Players Association in the NFL. He will be greatly missed. Every player in the NFL during the 2008 season wore the decal above on their helmets.