It's a new year, and that means it’s time to take a look back at the most memorable athletes of 2010. Not everyone on this list did something amazing (some just sucked), but you couldn't talk sports without mentioning them, and it doesn't get bigger than that.
Brett Favre
I know, I know, we’re all sick and tired of talking about Brett Favre, but we also couldn’t not talk about him. For a while, it seemed that every sports freak, blogger, and commentator couldn't open their mouths' without Brett Favre coming out (cue penis joke). Brett started out the year how he had the past couple: teetering back and forth on retirement. He eventually decided to come back and play his 20th season in the NFL, though he probably wishes he hadn’t. In early October, Deadspin reported that the then 39-year old Favre had been ‘sexting’ a Jets employee pictures of his less than apt member. But more importantly, 2010 was the end of an era for the Mississippi boy. Favre finally benched himself ending the 297 consecutive game starting streak that began in 1992. The big question entering 2011 is will Favre be back?
LeBron James
The King has had a hell of a year. After losing to the Celtics in the second round of the NBA playoffs, and being named NBA MVP for the second straight year, he had a Decision to make. LeBron had finally entered free agency and was being wooed by many suitors, including some guy who was claiming to be his father, but as we all know the Chosen One took his talents to South Beach and couldn’t be happier. The world seems to have righted itself though; the Cavs are back to where they belong (and not AT ALL bitter) and the Heat are looking like the team they should be with the Big 3 - James, Wade, and Bosh.
Donovan McNabb
What a difference a year makes! After starting the year with a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, McNabb was eventually traded to the Redskins and new head coach Mike Shanahan. Things were going well enough for McNabb and the Redskins, but in week eight, McNabb was mysteriously benched at the end of the game for reasons such as lack of knowledge of the 2-minute offense and for cardiovascular health. Things seemed to be looking up for #5 two weeks later when the Redskins signed him to a 5-year deal worth $75 million... then, a month later, he was demoted to third string quarterback for reasons we’re all still trying to figure out. It certainly can’t be because Rex Grossman is better than he is.
Cam Newton
Cameron Jerrell Newton has had an interesting (and dramatic) year. He was beginning his first year at Auburn after transferring from Blinn College in Texas, coming off a NJCAA championship. His Tigers started off the season with a win and continued winning, climbing up the ranks of the polls, but then November came around. Reports out of Mississippi State were alleging that his father, Cecil Newton, had offered Cameron's services for a price. Lucky for Cam, the story had a happy ending. The NCAA cleared him of any wrong-doings and was awarded the Heisman Trophy in a landslide. The younger Newton is looking to start the New Year strong, when he plays Oregon Jan. 10th, for the BCS Championship.
Tim Tebow
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The former Gator had a busy year, he started it off ending his career at Florida with a big win in the Sugar Bowl vs. Cincinnati, 51-24. Not a month later, Tebow starred in a Super Bowl commercial on the advantages of choosing pro-life (if you choose not to have an abortion your offspring will be an All-American, at least that's what I got out of it). Tebow was then the talk of a new rule the NCAA was enforcing for the upcoming season, aptly billed 'The Tebow Rule', effectively ending the wearing of eye black as any sort of 'statement'. And who could forget the NFL Draft. All the talk was Tebow's arm positioning, and much to everyone's surprise he was taken in the first round by the Denver Broncos - 25th overall. Tebow's ended the year nicely after being one of the highest selling jersey's in the NFL, and he's been promoted to starter after a dismal year for the Broncos. 2011 will be the true test for Tebow to see if QB is really where he belongs. |
Michael Vick
If you’re looking for a true comeback story, Vick is it. Michael Vick started the year out relatively quiet, taking a backseat to the Eagles starter Kevin Kolb, but when Kolb went down Vick never looked back. His Eagles have won the NFC East and look to make a deep run in the playoffs behind not only his legs but arm; Vick has only six interceptions and 21 passing touchdowns for a total of 30 and counting. Vick hasn’t come all the way back just yet, but he’s had a possible MVP year to help people forget about that whole dog fighting thing.
Tiger Woods
Tiger has had a crazy year. It started with him taking a ‘break’ from golf after his wife attacked him with a golf club because she found out he was cheating on her (if you haven't played the Tiger Hunting game, it's highly recommended). When all was said and done, we found out that Woods had slept with 121 different women while being married to Elin. When he finally came back to his real moneymaker, he wasn’t the dominating force anymore. The 2010 season ended with him winning zero tournaments and falling in the world rankings to #2, someplace he hadn’t been in over five years.
