As Thanksgiving approaches and the holiday season signifies the end of 2016, everyone starts to reflect back on the best memories of the year. Who can forget the Olympic games in Rio when the U.S. women gymnastics team took home the gold medal or when swimmer Michael Phelps added to his gold collection? From Villanova’s shot at the buzzer to win the NCAA National Championship to the Chicago Cubs amazing come-from-behind World Series win, it has been a very exciting year filled with memorable sports and sports entertainment moments.
Sports fans around the world have a lot to be thankful for this year and so do we, the writers at Get More Sports. I decided to ask our writers to look back and tell me exactly what they are grateful for this year in sports.
Josh: I am thankful that the NBA didn’t have non-stop coverage of the National Anthem protests. I am also thankful that we get to see Kevin Durant be the villain!
Erik the Hun: I’m grateful for college football season! But also, the moment I cherished the most in car racing was the opening race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Denny Hamlin literally won by a nose, crossing the finish line in a photo finish over Martin Truex Jr. It was the biggest race of the year and it was the first one of the season. By the way, it was the closest finish in NASCAR history.
Casey Bryant: I’m thankful for hockey for a lot of reasons. My parents were engaged at a New York Ranger game. I’ve devoted hours upon hours watching as many games as I can, with my fondest memories being huddled around the television with my parents and older brother. I’ve been to Madison Square Garden for overtime winners, blowout losses and everything in between. We joyously leapt into each other’s arms when Marty St. Louis scored on Mother’s Day. We sat in pained silence when Alec Martinez ended the Rangers’ dreams of a Cup. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. So I’m thankful for my family, who not only support my writings, but also sit and watch a game and shoot the breeze about our favorite players, games and memories.
Come November 27th, I’ll be cheering my heart out for Derick Brassard, who will be making his return to Madison Square Garden after four seasons as a New York Ranger. He and his wicked slapshot were an integral part of some of my favorite memories of hockey these past few years. So I’m thankful that I can circle that Sunday on my calendar and show my appreciation for one of the best centers the Rangers have had since 2000.
Geoff: One thing I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving is comebacks. You can include politics if you want (since it’s a hot topic) but it’s been such a great year for comebacks in sports. With the Cavaliers down 3-1 in the Finals and coming back, and the Chicago Cubs down 3-1 in the World Series and coming back, and Danny Willett in The Masters. That’s what I’m thankful for: entertaining, exciting sporting events that rewards those who watch.
Miguel: This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for emergence of the smaller weight classes in boxing, highlighted by Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez being considered the #1 P4P fighter in the world and by Carl Frampton’s standout win over Leo Santa Cruz that puts him as a front runner for fighter of the year.
Great answers and memories! As for me, I’m thankful for three things this Thanksgiving:
- The end-of-the-season excitement the New York Mets ended up giving me as a fan even after I thought their season was dead and buried.
- My love for the Green Bay Packers that culminated, this year, in my first trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was a moment I’ll never, ever forget.
- The first WWE hell-in-a-cell cage match for the women wrestlers. The women, no longer called divas, have been headlining pay-per-views and weekly shows and have brought their A-game. There’s a long way to go, but it’s a start.
What is your favorite sports or sports entertainment moment that you are thankful for this year?
