Predicting Sports' Next Great Redemption Stories
Robert Griffin III will work out in Cleveland. How's that for a prediction? If it comes to fruition, even partially, it would mark one of the next great redemption stories in sports.
In fact, 2016 is poised to restore the glory and/or reputations of several athletes, coaches and teams. Whether it's the Washington Capitals finally repaying their fans for their long and title-less loyalty or Ronda Rousey reclaiming her UFC crown, optimism reigns in these 10 stories.
Some of the following sports figures and franchises have faced more adversity than others, but all entered 2016 with something to prove. The predictions range from safe to bold, but based on the circumstances of each, redemption is certainly within reach.
Chicago Cubs
1 of 10
In a way, the Chicago Cubs are already a redemption story. They won 97 games in 2015, their most since 2008. And yet, there is more to do.
If the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 (and really, whenever they finally do), it will represent a redemption story large enough to eradicate over a century of title-less existence.
Things look good for the Cubbies so far in 2016, too (12-4 through the first 16 games), so an impending title is not exactly a bold prediction. According to Joe Osborne of Odds Shark, the Cubs are the favorites to take the crown.
The team was swept out of the National League Championship Series in 2015 by the New York Mets, but just its presence there was a major achievement (first NLCS since 2003). The team only got better in the offseason with the additions of outfielder Jason Heyward, pitcher John Lackey and infielder Ben Zobrist.
On paper, this team is better than it was in 2015, plus have you seen how fun they are?
Cam Newton
2 of 10
Like the Chicago Cubs, it's tough to say Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton needs redemption. He led his team to a 15-1 regular-season record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015-16, throwing for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns (and running for 10 more) and winning the NFL MVP along the way.
Then, Super Bowl 50 happened. Not only was Newton shut down by Von Miller and the stifling defense of the Denver Broncos, but he also didn't exactly take it well. His in-game frustration and postgame pouting left a sour taste in the mouths of some.
In 2016, Newton has a chance to not only redeem his reputation (not that he seems to care about that), but his team's status as well.
The loss of All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman will hurt, but enough starters are returning to make a successful season seem likely. And it all kicks off in Week 1 with a Panthers vs. Broncos Super Bowl rematch.
Jordan Spieth
3 of 10
Yes, Jordan Spieth botched the final day of the Masters. Yes, he lost six shots on three holes, including a quadruple-bogey on 12. Yes, it caused him to lose a lead he had held all tournament and ultimately finish second to Danny Willett. Ian O'Connor of ESPN.com called his unraveling the "most shocking in golf history."
After the tournament, Spieth compared the collapse to his second-place finish in 2014. Back then, he came into the final round tied with Bubba Watson but finished three strokes behind.
He said, per Michael Bamberger of Golf.com, "I learned what I learned in 2014. And it's just, 'Stay committed.' Twelve is a 150‑yard shot. I feel I can bleed it next to the hole. It's a stock 9‑iron for me. But that hole, for whatever reason, it just has people's number. That's about it. It was really one swing."
Inexplicable collapse aside, Spieth held a five-stroke advantage heading into the back nine on Sunday. He won two majors in 2015, and those were no flukes.
Spieth will be back, probably sooner rather than later. Per Stephen Campbell of Odds Shark, he's the favorite to win the U.S. Open in June.
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Washington Capitals
4 of 10
The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2015, crushing the hopes for the Caps' first-ever Stanley Cup.
Washington came storming back in 2015-16, dominating wire-to-wire and securing the President's Trophy for the league's highest point total in March.
The Caps are perennially that team that is good but not quite good enough. They look poised to finally get the monkey off their backs and claim glory in 2016, but fans in Washington are cautious.
David Steele of the Sporting News wrote, "To ask the Caps faithful to go all-in with no fear or dread is asking a lot. To watch the Caps at playoff time is to hold your breath longer than an Olympic swimmer. Exhaling is a luxury."
Depending on how Round 1 shakes out, the Caps could get the Rangers in Round 2, leading to redemption shot No. 1. Shot No. 2 is, of course, the Stanley Cup. Winning would redeem the Caps for the years of close-but-no-cigar heartache they've put the fanbase through. Anything less would be failure.
Tom Thibodeau
5 of 10
Tom Thibodeau led the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs in all five seasons as head coach, and he is often described as a "defensive genius."
Still, the Bulls did let him go in a pretty ruthless way. So, to come back with a new team and crush it—that would probably feel pretty sweet.
And what better team than the Minnesota Timberwolves? Thibodeau signed on to become not only the coach but also the president of basketball operations. Perennially downtrodden but filled with young potential, the Timberwolves provide a great opportunity for Thibs to come in and turn a franchise around, especially with such a powerful role.
With forward Andrew Wiggins, center Karl-Anthony Towns and another high draft pick on the way, not to mention the veteran leadership of Kevin Garnett, this team has the makings of a contender on the rise.
Ronda Rousey
6 of 10
UFC fighter Ronda Rousey had an epic 2015, until she didn't. She relinquished the bantamweight title after a brutal loss to Holly Holm in November. Holm later lost to Miesha Tate at UFC 196.
And yet, Rousey is all set up for redemption in 2016. UFC President Dana White said in April her next fight will be for the title. White did not provide a date, but he did tell ESPN Radio's Beadle & Shelburne (via Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com), "[Rousey] is definitely part of the discussion [to fight on Nov. 12 in New York], and she will fight whoever has that belt."
Tate will have one fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 200 in July, and possibly another after that, according to White.
While Holm does not appear a likely opponent for Rousey at this point, Rousey did say, "Of course I want to fight Holly. I'm going to beat her and make everything right again," while appearing on Ellen in February, per Des Bieler of the Washington Post.
Liverpool
7 of 10
Liverpool has 18 league titles, second only to Manchester United's 20, and they hold the most major trophies of any English club overall.
And yet, their last league championship came in 1990. Save a few second-place finishes, the club has failed to reach the upper echelons since then and therefore sacrificed some relevancy in favor of major clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United.
Enter, Jurgen Klopp. The world-class manager, who led Borussia Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final, joined the Reds in late 2015 and has already proved to be a difference-maker. He has brought the team to seventh place in the Premier League despite significant injury issues. Liverpool upset Dortmund, 4-3, in the Europa League quarterfinals and stands a chance at the 2016-17 Champions League if it can pull off a Europa League win.
Of the win over Dortmund, former Liverpool striker John Aldridge told 888sport (h/t James Dutton of Mail Online), "So last Thursday was a massive marketing tool for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is as well. If we can get into the Champions League he can go out and do some serious damage I'm sure."
With a track record for building successful teams, Klopp is poised to elevate Liverpool, a club with tremendous historic appeal as is, back to the ranks of Premier League elite.
Dwight Howard
8 of 10
Dwight Howard's three seasons with the Houston Rockets haven't turned out quite as he likely hoped.
His teams have failed to make the NBA Finals, and (barring anything shocking) won't this year, either. Injury plagued the center in 2014-15, and his offensive numbers have dipped, going from 18.3 points per game in 2013-14 to 13.7 in 2015-16.
And yet, the big man could decline his player option and become a free agent over the summer. Rumors of possible destinations have swirled for some time.
Believe it or not, his old stomping grounds in Orlando are even on the table. In March, Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher reported Howard is open to it. The Chicago Bulls were also mentioned by Jenn Loro of News Every Day.
At 30 years old, Howard clearly still has gas left in the tank. If he can manage to get along with teammates and coaches, a task that has proved tall for him in the past, perhaps another change of scenery will lead him on the road to redemption.
Robert Griffin III
9 of 10
Oh boy, does Robert Griffin III have an opportunity in front of him. The Cleveland Browns signed the quarterback, recently released by Washington, to a two-year, $15 million deal in March.
However improbable it may seem, RG3 has a chance to completely reverse his legacy—from woeful draft bust to the QB who finally saved Cleveland. But is a comeback story likely or even possible?
Opinions are understandably mixed, given Griffin's issues in Washington, which included injuries and poor relations with the coaching staff. Still, Griffin's pure athleticism and talent are undeniable.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com cited his 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and wrote, "…he is too young (26) and talented for us to dismiss his potential as a playmaker, particularly in an offense directed by Hue Jackson and Pep Hamilton. Each guy has enjoyed tremendous success with young quarterbacks by adapting their respective systems to accentuate the strengths of their signal-callers."
For his part, new Cleveland coach Jackson said, "He brings starting experience to our team and organization. He's a young, athletic, talented passer and he's really just starting out in this league," per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
It may seem optimistic, but (sports cliche alert) if he can stay healthy, there's a chance.
Rafael Nadal
10 of 10
Rafael Nadal had a pretty low 2015. For the first time in 10 years, he did not win a Grand Slam, and folks even suggested his storied career might be nearing its conclusion.
In September, the Spaniard said, "The only thing that means is I played worse than the last ten years. Accept that was not my year and keep fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way for me," per Simon Briggs of the Telegraph.
Indeed, Nadal beat world No. 2 Andy Murray and No. 4 Stan Wawrinka during round-robin competition in the ATP World Tour Finals. And despite a first-round exit at the Australian Open in January, there is still hope he can make a redemption run in 2016.
Nadal is just 29 years old. Past injury issues are behind him, for the moment. He won the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in April, a victory that may have boosted his confidence ahead of June's French Open.
According to the ATP World Tour, Nadal said, "The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy... It's been a very, very emotional week for me, a very important event."
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