2008 In Sports

Another year, another roller-coaster of sporting events to be placed into lore. From a legend hanging it up in college basketball, to a legendary team claiming its spot on top of the NBA, to the spectacle that was the Summer Olympics, 2008 had plenty to offer sports fans. The following photos highlight the moments that will live on in sports fan's minds for years to come.

Geaux Tigers

Anyone who thought the Tigers couldn't bring it in their backyard was oh, so mistaken as LSU rolled in the BCS Championship game 38-24 over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 7.

A Giant Catch

In a play that will live on in NFL infamy, Giants WR David Tyree comes down with a catch during Superbowl XLII - a catch that kept the game-winning drive alive. The Giants would go on to stop the New England Patriots' quest for a perfect season, winning 17-14, and winning their first Super Bowl trophy since the days of Bill Parcells.

Good Knight

The General, Bob Knight, resigned from his position as head coach of Texas Tech Basketball on Feb. 4. His 902 wins stand as the most by a Division I coach.

Daylight Wains At Daytona

The 50th annual Daytona 500 started the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, with Ryan Newman winning the race. Jimmy Johnson would go on later in the year to win his 3rd consecutive Sprint Cup.

Stephen Stands Out

Stephen Curry comes back onto the floor after saving the ball from press row against Kansas on March 30th. Curry wowed crowds and viewers as tiny Davidson college would go on to nearly knock-off eventual champion Kansas in the Midwest Regional Final of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Curry was the MOP of the Midwest Region, the first player to be named to the award without making the Final Four since 1994, when Juwan Howard of Michigan was named the recipient.

For Whom the Belles Toll

Eight Belles jumps out to a lead in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. Big Brown would go on to win the race, but the story was Belles being euthanized on the track immediately after its conclusion after breaking its front two ankles. The treatment of race horses would be a topic of discussion throughout the Triple Crown season.

On the Wings of Glory

The Detroit Red Wings raise their 2008 Stanley Cup banner in September. The Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in their series, winning the franchise its 11th title.

Chasing the Cat

Rocco Mediate gestures at Tiger Woods during the 2008 U.S. Open Golf Championship. Mediate and Woods went to a sudden-death playoff on Monday, June 16th, as Woods narrowly clinched his 14th major championship. It was later revealed that Woods accomplished this on a torn ACL.

The New Celtic Pride

Paul Pierce screams in celebration after the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers four games to two in the 2008 NBA Finals. Pierce was named Finals MVP, as the Celtics went from worst-to-first in one season.

The Comeback Kid

Josh Hamilton raises his arms after smacking another (long) home run in the 2008 MLB Home Run Derby. Hamilton set a record with 28 home runs in the first round of the derby. The event helped mainstream fans hear Hamilton's story of coming back from drug addiction to become the toast of the All-Star game.

A Summer Spectacle

The Games of the XXXIX Olympiad kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony on Aug. 8.

Gold for the King

LeBron James pushes the ball up court doing the 2008 Summer Olympics. The USA Men's Basketball team would go on to win a hard fought contest against Spain for the Gold Medal.

The Four With the Flag

Michael Phelps and crew win another gold medal, one of Phelps' eight during the 2008 Summer Games. Phelps would captivate the nation as he dominated the competition on his way to breaking Mark Spitz's medal record.

Phinally

Brad Lidge collapses after the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, claiming the first championship for Philadelphia in 25 years.

Brett the Jet

After announcing his retirement in March, Brett Favre came back to football with the New York Jets after a summer full of controversy. The Jets vastly improved on the 4-12 record from the previous season.

Brady Goes Down

Tom Brady is helped off the field after having his ACL torn in the first quarter of the New England Patriots' opening game. The Patriots would go on to start Matt Cassel, who had not started a game since high school. Cassel would eventually lead the Patriots to a playoff spot.

Sam Leads the Sooners

Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford drops back against rival Oklahoma State. Bradford and the Sooners came out on top of a season-long Big 12 battle, with rights to play for the BCS title against Florida. Bradford would also win another Big 12 battle, as he edged Colt McCoy, as well as Florida QB Tim Tebow for the Heisman Trophy.

Poor, Poor Detroit

Two Detroit Lions fans beg for someone to bailout their football team, similar to the U.S. government bailing out automobile makers. The Lions would set a mark for futility, with a 0-15 record.