2013 US Sports in Review
Ravens vs. 49ers Super Bowl
The 2013 Super Bowl between the Ravens and the 49ers began with Baltimore taking early control of the game. Momentum changed completely, however, when an electrical failure caused the stadium to lose power, and allowed the 49ers to mount a furious comeback. San Francisco fell just short on the final drive of the game as Colin Kaepernick attempted a pass to Michael Crabtree in the endzone that fell incomplete. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was the MVP.
Heat win Championship
The San Antonio Spurs were seconds away from defeating the Miami Heat in 6 games in the 2013 NBA Finals, but Lebron James sank a clutch 3 pointer, followed by another by Miami shooting guard Ray Allen to tie the game with 5 seconds remaining. The Heat went on to win the game in overtime, resulting in a Game 7 showdown in Miami, which they went on to win, 95-88. Lebron James was the Finals MVP as he won his second consecutive championship.
Red Sox win World Series
For the first time since 1918, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series at home, in Fenway Park. The Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in a riveting Game 6, which was pitched by Red Sox starter John Lackey. The win comes after an embarrassing last season in which the Red Sox were last in the American League East standings.
Alabama wins national championship
The Alabama Crimson Tide showed why they were the best team of the 2012–2013 season when they completely dominated then-ranked #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the BCS National Championship game, 42-14. Alabama running back Eddie Lacy was the offensive MVP, while C.J. Mosley was the defensive MVP. Notre Dame’s defense, led by star linebacker Manti Te’o struggled all night to slow down Alabama’s offense led by Lacy and quarterback A.J. McCarron. It was the Crimson Tide’s second consecutive national championship victory.
Lance Armstrong scandal
In January 2013, Lance Armstrong confessed to doping while a member of the United States Postal Service professional cycling team. His confession, which came after months of public denial, greatly disturbed the cycling community and revealed that many other cyclists were also guilty of doping at the time. As a result of the confession and allegations, Armstrong has been stripped of his Tour de France titles and disqualified from all future professional cycling events.
Aaron Hernandez
The New England Patriots started off the season with a wave of controversy, after star tight end Aaron Hernandez’s home was searched in connection to an investigation into the murder of his friend, Odin Lloyd. He was subsequently released by the Patriots, and charged with first-degree murder. He is also currently under investigation for a 2012 double homicide that occurred in Boston.
Chicago Blackhawks beat Bruins for Stanley Cup
The Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the Boston Bruins in the 2013 Stanley Cup Championship, and although the series was very close throughout, highlighted by a triple-overtime matchup in Game 1, the Blackhawks emerged victorious in 6 games. 2013 was their 5th championship as a franchise and their first win since 2010 over the Philadelphia Flyers.