Moment/Game #1

We all know that when we root for our favorite teams, it doesn't matter if they win or lose. It all comes down to whether or not you were entertained and that saying "There's always next year." Sports is basically an escape for us to forget about what's going on in our lives for just a few hours. It became clear that all the sports would need to be more than just an escape, but set an example for how a country can recover after the tragedy and inhumane acts of September 11, 2001. We all remember where we were and what we were doing that morning. I was getting ready for school and happened to glance at the TV where it had "Breaking News" on the bottom of the screen and showing one of the Twin Towers in New York with smoke coming out of the top. After standing for only about a minute or two watching, suddenly a plane slammed into the other tower on live television. I had to rub my eyes to make sure I just saw what I thought to be a plane smashing the other building. It to my horror was true and I will never forget that image.

2001 World Series Game 7 NY Yankees vs. Arizona

Baseball like the NFL postponed games that week. While the country was still ravaged and scared, all the sports leagues in this country played a unique role in the recovery. Baseball always has a way of making the transition look so simple. Every baseball fan that year was rooting for the New York teams. And why not. It would bring so much joy to a city that like Washington D.C. and Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, had suffered through the events of 9/11. The Yankees had their All Star lineup of Jeter, Soriano, Posada and Williams. Arizona however wasn't going down without a fight. Led by the pitching of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, it was a World Series with more drama than a play on Broadway.

The Yankees had won all three games in New York. Game 4 & 5 in dramatic fashion with extra inning home runs to win. Game 6 wasn't going to go in the Yankees favor with Randy Johnson pitching lights out baseball in a 15-2 blowout. Game 7 was set for what is to be one of the best and most intense Game 7s in World Series history. Roger Clemens on the mound for the Yankees and Curt Schilling for the D'Backs. Both pitchers were exchanging out after out in a scoreless game through the first five innings.

Arizona got on board first in the sixth inning. The Yankees would answer in their half of the seventh. Tied up a 1-1. With Arizona coming away with nothing after the seventh, the Yankees took advantage with a HR from Alfonso Soriano off Schilling to go up 2-1. The D'Backs had no answer again in the eighth and they weren't going to go out easily when they threw Randy Johnson out as a reliever for the last four outs against the Yankees. New York was still up 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth.

There were two on and one out for SS Tony Womack facing one of the best postseason pitchers of all time, Mariano Rivera. Womack sliced a cut fastball down the right field line scoring one and the winning run staying on third. The place was erupting with excitement as the game was now tied and the winning run just ninety feet away. 2B Craig Counsell was next, but was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Luis Gonzalez to this point was 0 for 4 in the game. He was batting .259 with 1 HR and 1 RBI for the Series. This was his moment and his time to shine. The Yankees were playing the infield in which is the smart move to prevent the leading runner from scoring. However, Gonzo (pictured above) as they call him blooped a liner over Jeter's head into center field for the game and series clincher. A great moment for not just baseball, but for the country.

Super Bowl XXXVI St. Louis vs. New England February 3, 2002

The NFL couldn't have had a better matchup in the Super Bowl just five months after 9/11. A team called the Patriots. The underdog against "The Greatest Show on Turf" the St. Louis Rams. The Rams were going for their second title in three years. The Patriots were making their third Super Bowl appearance and were looking to start their own legacy on the heels of an improbable win in the divisional game against the Raiders. The infamous "tuck rule" game. This wasn't going to be as simple as counting to three. With the way the World Series went, this was going to be another great finish.

The Patriots were up 14-3 at halftime thanks to cornerback Ty Law's pick six and the unknown quarterback Tom Brady throwing an 8 yard strike in the back of the endzone to wide receiver David Patten. The Rams were baffled, but not out by any means. New England added another three points to their total heading into the fourth quarter where all the magic was soon to happen.

Kurt Warner of the Rams was back to his old self. This time scoring on a goal line run to bring the Rams within a TD of tying the game. With exactly two and a half minutes left in the game. Warner would give his defense a chance to stop the Patriots from winning with a 26 yard pass to wide receiver Ricky Proehl to tie the game at 17. No one knew much of Tom Brady other than he was the luckiest guy in the world thanks to the "tuck rule." However, he had a veteran team that wasn't going to let him fail when they needed him to win the game for them.

Brady was on fire. Connecting on every pass attempt to bring the Patriots within striking distance of an Adam Vinatieri field goal. Now in the game against the Raiders a few weeks before, Vinatieri connected on a 45 yard field goal to tie and a 23 yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Would there be any doubt on this attempt? This one was from 48 yards away as time expired on the clock. Once it was kicked (pictured above) Vinatieri was the only that knew it was going in. It wasn't one of those kicks that just got through the uprights. This could have gone another 20 yards no problem. Once it was all said and done, the NFL and the country got two great moments with two great finishes after one sad day.

The video below is just a clip of what sports was doing to help the country heal and recover from that tragic day when over 3,000 Americans were killed in New York, Washington DC and Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania. Not only did Baseball and Football help, but the NHL and the NBA were just about to start their seasons and were ready to help in the healing process. Salt Lake City, Utah played host to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Patriotism was abundant then and it still is now. Sports will forever be our treasured prize. Whether it's for a championship or an escape for a part of your day. They all play an important role for the good times and the bad.

Honorable Mentions of the Decade

Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics

The 2008 games as a whole weren't bigger than the hype surrounding Michael Phelps and his quest for eight gold medals in one Olympiad. He won eight total medals at the Athens games in 2004, but only six were gold. Two of the record eight gold medals Phelps won were in dramatic fashion. One took place in 4 x 100 relay where his teammate Jason Lezak came back to beat the French team by eight hundredths of a second. The other happened 100 meter butterfly where Phelps had just enough of a reach to touch the wall before Milorad Cavic. Phelps' time 50.58. Cavic's time 50.59. A damn good performance for the new record holder.

2008 & 2009 Wimbledon Finals

Roger Federer had it all in 2008. He was looking for his sixth consecutive Wimbledon title and had beaten Rafael Nadal the last two years. In fact, Nadal had never beaten Federer on the grass surface. Nadal had Federer early winning the first two sets. Federer would rally to even up the match to a fifth set. There were three rain delays that threatened to suspend play due to darkness. It all came to an end though with just under five hours played Nadal wins the fifth set 9-7 when Federer's forehand hit the net. Federer was denied a sixth consecutive Wimbledon, but Nadal made it a moment for the ages.

As if the 2008 Wimbledon wasn't exciting enough. The following year saw Federer return to reclaim Wimbledon and was going for a record 20th grand slam title. There was no Rafael Nadal this time due to injury, but Andy Roddick was looking for his first Wimbledon title and wasn't going to give in to history that easily. Roddick got the first set. Federer won the next two sets on tiebreakers. Roddick would force a fifth set winning the fourth 6-3. Roddick and Federer wouldn't give an inch to each other. The fifth set alone went on for more than 2 hours. In the end, Federer outlasted Roddick for his record 20th slam title. The greatest tennis player of all time had to earn it and Roddick solidified himself as a true gamer in tennis.

George Mason in the Final Four

The 2006 tournament had its Cinderella story. They stormed through as an eleven seed not being on most experts radars. When it came time for their game in the Elite 8 of the tournament, they had to face Connecticut who had a record of 30-3 entering the tourney. The Huskies have been a formidable team the past decade in college basketball. Both rosters were worlds apart when it came to size and talent, but George Mason didn't care about those. They played hard the entire game going into overtime. Shocking the basketball world and Connecticut they advanced to the Final Four with a 86-84 victory. A mid major had done the unthinkable and earned a spot for the national title.

Red Sox win not one, but two titles

Who would've thought it would ever happen. Eighty six years since the last title. The Babe Ruth curse. Bucky bleepin Dent and all that great history makes for an even bigger event when they finally do win a title. 2004 was the first one in dramatic fashion just to get there. Down 3-0 to the hated Yankees in the ALCS, they came back to win the series 4-3 to advance. They swept the Cardinals in the World Series to clinch the first one. The second came in 2007 in relatively less dramatic fashion, but another sweep in the Series against the Colorado Rockies. The ALCS again that year was tougher than the Series. Down 3 games to 2 to the Cleveland Indians, they came back to win when the Indians were so close. Amazingly Boston became a powerhouse when they were a laughing stock for 86 years.

2003 Fiesta Bowl

A great game that tragically had a controversial pass interference call ruin some, but not all of it. It was the national title in College Football between Miami (Fla.) and Ohio State. Miami was looking for its second consecutive title and become only the third school to accomplish that in the last 35 years. Alas it didn't happen as the Buckeyes thanks to the controversial call, tied the game at 24. It took double overtime for the Ohio State to score the winning touchdown winning the title 31-24. The only title game to go into overtime to decide the winner. It's too bad most remember the call and not the game. Great from start to finish.

Lance Armstrong

It's simple. Seven straight Tour De France titles, six in this decade. In half of them he had to make a comeback or avoid crashes that could have halted his chance of winning. We all know his story, but we do forget how grueling this race is not just for a cancer survivor, but for the average joe. Over 2,200 miles that spans through the country side, mountains and city streets that lasts almost a month. And you thought riding your bike back and forth to work was tough. Lance is a true hero and a legendary athlete. Not many get to have both of those titles.

Tiger wins on one leg

Torrey Pines was the sight of the 2008 US Open Golf Tournament. Tiger Woods was to many peoples surprise not himself. He had returned sooner than expected from reconstructive knee surgery, but in the process suffered a double stress fracture of his left tibia. He winced through every tee shot, chip and putt to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate. They had to play 18 more holes to decide the winner. How you can play through such pain is unknown to most. Jack Youngblood comes to mind. A defensive lineman who played through a broken leg in the conference championship game and the Super Bowl for Rams back in the 1980s. Tiger showed determination and grit when others would've called it a day.

Annika Sorenstam 2003 Colonial

She was on her way to becoming the greatest golfer on the LPGA. She was given the invitation to participate in the Bank of America Colonial golf tournament. A tournament on the PGA tour. Annika become the first women since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to participate in a PGA tournament. Some on the PGA tour wrongly criticized her participation, but she played her best and was a crowd favorite. She finished short of the cut, placing 96th out 111. Her best accomplishments are her 10 major championships in the LPGA. Eight were won in this decade alone. Her retirement was a sad time for not just the LPGA, but the entire golf world.

Super Bowl XXXIV

The Rams and Titans were two relative nobodies in the NFL. The Rams had recently moved from LA to St. Louis. The Titans moved from Houston as the Oilers to Tennessee to become the Titans. Tennessee went through the AFC with ease. St. Louis had to win with their defense, not their offense to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship. They both met in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia with a lot of uncertainty as to what kind of game would you be seeing. Alas it was a defensive game until the Rams blew the game wide open with a quick 70 yard plus touchdown pass by Kurt Warner to Isaac Bruce putting the Rams up 23-16 with two minutes to play. The Titans Steve McNair would not give in as he led them on a perfect two minute drill to set up wide receiver Kevin Dyson who was unfortunately just one yard short of tying the game. The decade of great Super Bowls started with this one and it should be noted.

Kobe Bryant 2nd to Chamberlain

The only reason I can say why I missed this game is that the Super Bowl was on. I know, a lame excuse, but it was during Super Bowl XXXVI. Anyway Kobe was his usual self scoring at will. He had 26 points at halftime losing 63-49 to the Toronto Raptors. No one had thought the fury of Bryant would be unleashed in the second half as he single handily brought the Lakers back in the game and in the process was going for history. A total of 55 points was scored by Kobe in the second half. If you do the math, he scored 81 of the Lakers 122 points. He outscored every Raptors player in the second half. Kobe adds to his soon to be Hall of Fame resume with a stunning performance on perhaps the best night in sports this decade.

Moment/Game #2

Super Bowl XLII NY Giants vs. New England February 3, 2008

Even though no one wanted to admit (I did) that they wanted to see the Patriots go undefeated. You had wanted to see someone other than the '72 Dolphins be the only team to finish a season undefeated. Popping champagne every time the last undefeated team loses and not that they all did it, but Mercury Morris in particular acted like if someone did it now, it wouldn't be as special as theirs. Oh really Merc. Last I checked 19-0 was better than 17-0. How could you rationalize that your undefeated season was better than another if it happened?

You got a pre-cursor to this Super Bowl in the last week of the regular season. Both the Giants and Patriots were asked if they would be resting their starters. The Giants had nothing to play for. Their spot in the playoffs was already etched in stone. The Patriots were not hiding the fact that they were going for the perfect season. Both went after each other for the best game of the regular season that went in favor of the Patriots 38-35. A perfect 16-0 regular season. They still needed to win three more games to be considered the best team of all time. 19-0 was the goal for the Patriots.

The Giants went through the playoffs winning all three of their games on the road. At Tampa Bay, Dallas & Green Bay. Pretty formidable venues when it's playoff time. They were underdogs in every single game mind you. No one even gave them a fighters chance when they got to Phoenix to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl. When wide receiver Plaxico Burress predicted victory and the score of 23-17 in favor of the Giants. The sports world was shocked. Normally predictions before a Super Bowl by a player is a sign of a blowout. Or that player who made the prediction will have his worst game ever. Well, not really.

Defense was the name, not offense for this matchup. When they first met, it was a race to the finish line with both offenses scoring 35 or more points. Your halftime score was 7-3 in favor of the Patriots. A lone rushing TD by Laurence Maroney of the Patriots was the only scoring in sight. Tom Brady was getting pressure from the Giants defensive line, which the Giants hardly blitzed the entire game. Four man front was all they needed to get pressure on the quarterback. David Tyree caught the Giants first TD pass from Eli Manning to start the fourth quarter. Brady and the Pats would answer with a TD pass to his favorite or one of his favorite targets wide receiver Randy Moss for a 6 yard connection that took up over five minutes in the fourth.

Just over two and a half minutes left for Eli to get the Giants the victory. Down 14-10, Manning was connecting to anyone and everyone that was wearing a Giants uniform. The moment came when it seemed Eli was going to be sacked, but wiggled his way out of the pocket and threw a prayer that was answered by David Tyree (pictured above). Safety Rodney Harrison who will soon be in the Hall of Fame normally makes plays on the ball, but failed to get away from Tyree's head. Soon after Eli found Plaxico who made true on his prediction of victory catching the winning touchdown. 17-14 Giants pull off the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. Yes, bigger than Super Bowl 3 Jets vs. Colts. Perfection no more as the Patriots finish short of it. The Giants came close in Week 17, but perfected their game plan when it mattered.

Moment/Game #3

2006 Rose Bowl Texas vs. USC January 4, 2006

The Heisman race that year was between three of the players from this game. Quarterbacks Matt Leinart of USC, Vince Young of Texas and running back Reggie Bush of USC. Bush ultimately won the Heisman, but Young got many votes. Quite a bit more than Leinart who had won the Heisman the year before. Both teams had identical records at 12-0 coming into the Rose Bowl which happened to be the national title game as well. For once the BCS actually got it right, but only because there weren't any other undefeated teams to stake a claim at the title.

Almost 94,000 people attended the best college football game of the decade. Texas were the underdogs going into the game. No one could have expected this game to be a shoot out that started in favor of Texas. Running back LenDale White of USC scored the first TD in the first quarter. Texas would answer in a big way when running backs Selvin Young and Ramonce Taylor both ran for touchdowns in the second quarter. Texas also added a field goal. USC would kick a field goal to end the first half down to Texas 10-16.

The fireworks began in the second half where Vince Young who was kept quiet for the first half, exploded in the third quarter. Young ran for his first touchdown, but USC answered with two rushing touchdowns from LenDale White. USC would have a 24-23 lead to end the third quarter. The game quickly became a one sided affair to start the fourth quarter. Reggie Bush capped off a 86 yard drive with a 26 yard run to extend the Trojans lead 31-23. Texas would answer with a field goal, but USC added another touchdown by Matt Leinart who found wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett for a 22 yard strike.

USC lead 38-26 with six and a half minutes to go in the game. It appeared the Trojans were about to add another national title to their trophy case. Vince Young missed out on the Heisman, but he wasn't going to miss out on a national title. Young led the Longhorns on a 69 yard two and a half minute drive to be within five points of USC. The Trojans went for it on fourth down on their own 44 yard line. The did not succeed and the result gave Young and the Longhorns the break they needed with just over two minutes to go and a chance to win it on the final drive.

Vince Young kept the drive alive on every play either finding the open man down the field or running out of bounds past the first down marker. It was too much for the USC defense who seemed to forget that Texas was going to let Young win the game for them on that final gallop into the endzone to clinch Texas the national title. They have and will always be replaying this game every year on ESPN Classic or any other channel that has the authorization to replay it. It had future stars showing their skills to the entire country. Two power house football programs that would not give in for one second until the game was over. Looking back at it now, Vince Young wasn't just going for the title, but wanted to take the Heisman as well.

Moment/Game #4

2002 World Series Game 6 San Francisco vs. Anaheim October 26, 2002

No one, I repeat, no one talks about this series as much as they should. All but two games of this series were decided by 3 runs or less. Both teams were the Wild Card representatives from their respective leagues. After being up 2 games to 1, the Angels lost games 4 & 5 in San Francisco to go down 3 to 2. Game 4 was won by the Giants by a score of 4-3 and game 5 by a score of 16-4 in favor of San Francisco. The Big A was rockin at the start of game 6, but it quickly went quiet to where all you heard was the yelling coming from the Giants dugout.

Each team went scoreless through the first four innings. Kevin Appier was the starter for the Angels and Russ Ortiz for the Giants. Not great pitchers by any stretch, but dependable starters for their clubs. Appier began to get into trouble in the fifth inning when Giants DH Shawon Dunston hit a two run HR just clearing the inside part of the foul pole in left field. Later that inning, 2B Jeff Kent drove in another run off reliever Francisco Rodriguez to give the Giants a 3-0 lead after five. In the sixth, the Giants added another with LF Barry Bonds' 4th HR of the series. 4-0 Giants after six. CF Kenny Lofton would score in the seventh on a wild pitch from Rodriguez. 5-0 Giants going into the bottom of the seventh. I can't tell you how much it sucked to be watching that game and how it was turning out. However when the seventh inning stretch was over, things began to look better for the Halos.

LF Garrett Anderson was the first out in the seventh for Anaheim. 3B Troy Glaus then singled to left. DH Brad Fullmer followed with another bloop single to right center. Giants starter Russ Ortiz was then taken out of the ball game, but before he was sent back to the dugout. I kid you not, manager Dusty Baker gave Ortiz the ball as if the game was essentially over. A ridiculous move by Dusty who should have known better. Reliever Felix Rodriguez came in for the Giants and had to deal with 1B Scott Spiezio with two on and one out. Spiezio fought off what seemed like a dozen pitches before he swung at a ball down and in. The ball just seemed to not want to listen to gravity as it continued to fly towards the stands in right.

RF Reggie Sanders of the Giants had no chance at robbing it as a few fans began to yell and point at him, probably saying, "It's not over Reggie. It's not over!!!" Or something to that effect. The Giants were still up 5-3 after that momentum changing home run. San Francisco was shut out after the top of the eighth. The Angels started off their half of the eighth with a solo HR from CF Darin Erstad off reliever Tim Worrell. 5-4 Giants with no outs. RF Tim Salmon singled and was pinch run for by Chone Figgins. Anderson then singled and advanced to second thanks to Bonds error in left. Runners on second and third with no outs down by a run. Dusty then had no choice but to bring in his closer Rob Nen for a six out save. Glaus was up and was even in the count with Nen 1-1 when Glaus crushed a fastball (pictured above) to deep left center off the warning track for a bases clearing double. Angels lead 6-5.

The place was crazy. The Giants couldn't get a base runner on in the ninth as closer Troy Percival saved another game for the Halos. The Angels were down by five and were eight outs away from losing the World Series. They promptly came out the next night and took any hopes of a championship from the Giants winning 4-1 to clinch their first world series title. Two things come to my mind with this moment/game. One, it is the greatest come from behind victory in World Series history. HISTORY. And two, it showed that even a team that most fans have no idea who the players are, can give you one of the most exciting games/series you will ever see.

Moment/Game #5

2001 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 New Jersey vs. Colorado June 9, 2001

This was the other Game 7 I was referring to that has perhaps the best compilation of Hall of Famers to ever participate in a championship clinching game. For New Jersey names like; Brodeur, Niedermayer, Stevens, Elias. For Colorado names like; Roy, Sakic, Forsberg, Bourque. This was no doubt a game for the ages. New Jersey was up 3 games to 2, but couldn't finish it in their home rink losing game 6 4-0. Colorado was determined to win one not only as a team, but for defensemen Ray Bourque who was participating in his only Stanley Cup of his career.

With Patrick Roy in net for the Avalanche and Martin Brodeur for New Jersey, it looked as if the storyline was going to be who would outshine who in the net. Both are considered one of the best of all time. Brodeur was tested early and often by the Avalanche who scored quickly in the first period thanks to forward Alex Tanguay. Tanguay would add another goal in the second off a rebound from a Joe Sakic break away. Sakic scored the game winner with a wicked wrister on the power play over the shoulder of Brodeur.

New Jersey would score a goal by Petr Sykora on a power play, but Roy was fantastic in net for the Avs. It was great to see two great goaltenders go at it, but even better to see a great defensemen win his first Stanley Cup in his only appearance in the Finals. Raymond Bourque went out on top to finish his career. Boston Bruins fans were watching his every move in Colorado when he was dealt in the middle of the 2000 season. You will probably never see that happen where an opposing team will root for another to win so that one of their all time greats gets his first Cup. It was truly a sight to see as we saw a great matchup in net with a great storyline to wrap it all up.

Moment/Game #6

Fiesta Bowl Boise State vs. Oklahoma January 1, 2007

The dictionary definition of underdog is described as the following; a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict. The key word is "expected." The Broncos of Boise State were expected to lose to the mighty Sooners of Oklahoma. Oklahoma has had a storied football history that includes Heisman trophy winners, National titles and Hall of Famers. Boise State is located in Boise, Idaho. It was as lopsided as you could get, but Boise was beginning to build a good program that could stand next to the big time programs of College Football.

Oklahoma came into this game with a record of 11-2. Boise had an undefeated record of 12-0. No one at the time thought they should be on the same field as Oklahoma. The rumbles of wanting a playoff system were beginning going into this game. All eyes were watching to see if the small school could beat a power house football program.

The Broncos quickly turned it into a shootout when QB Jared Zabransky threw touchdown passes of 49 & 32 yards to wide receiver Drisan James. Running back Ian Johnson ran for a touchdown to give them a 21-10 halftime lead over the Sooners. All the football world was stunned that they could get out to such a lead against the Sooners who had a respectable defense.

The celebrating wouldn't last long as the Sooners came roaring back. Boise would extend the lead 28-10 to start the third quarter, but Oklahoma would score 25 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters to go up 35-28. With Boise down by a touchdown on the final drive, they went for it on fourth and long. Zabransky converted a pass to a wide open Jarard Rabb for the game tying 35 yard touchdown with 7 seconds to go.

What more could you ask for than to have them go at it in overtime. Oklahoma received first and scored on one play as Adrian Peterson ran for a 25 yard touchdown, his second of the game. Boise took their time using seven plays to score their touchdown. Rather than go for double overtime however, Boise coach Chris Peterson decided to go for it all. The two point conversion. A risky move, because if they fail to convert, Oklahoma wins and the discussion of playoff system in the future ends as well.

Boise goes for it. Zabransky takes two steps back to pass. He looks right then subtly hands the ball behind his back to running back Ian Johnson who could have just walked in the endzone for the game winning two point conversion. A very important moment and game in the history of College Football. The small schools could not be over looked anymore for BCS bowl games. The discussion grew quickly to eventually have a playoff system in place. If it does happen, they will point to this game as the reason why it happened.

Moment/Game #7

Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 Pittsburgh vs. Detroit June 12, 2009

There is one other Stanley Cup moment that was more memorable in my opinion than this one that I will reveal in the coming days. This Game 7 however has to be mentioned for not just the moment, but for the fact that both teams went head to head in back-to-back Stanley Cups. Detroit took the Cup in 2008 in six games celebrating in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh were the underdogs going into 2009, but they weren't going to let themselves go down to Detroit in their own building again.

All the Hockey world figured the Red Wings weren't going to let the Penguins win in Joe Louis Arena in a Game 7. The Penguins were looking outside of the playoffs as late as February during the regular season. There was no way they were going to beat the Red Wings who had already beaten Columbus, Anaheim and Chicago to get to the Finals. Pittsburgh had barely skated by them in the previous game winning 2-1. They had to play perfect hockey to beat Detroit in their home arena.

The Penguins got out to a fast start out shooting the Red Wings 10-6 in the first period. No score going into the second period when forward Max Talbot scored the first goal to start the period. Talbot would add another half way through the period. The second one mind you was done when their captain Sidney Crosby wasn't on the ice. He would return later in the third, but it seemed all was lost for Pittsburgh by everyone except the players for Pittsburgh.

Detroit did out shoot the Penguins in the second 11-7, but Pittsburgh had the lead 2-0 going into the third. Detroit scored a goal thirteen minutes into the third period to be within one of tying. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins was phenomenal. Stopping 17 of 18 shots in the second and third periods combined. Pittsburgh only had one shot on goal in the third period, but Fleury wasn't worried. In a Game 7, one player usually shines. Sometimes it's the one you least expect or the one that you always knew would answer when called upon.

Detroit was as aggressive in the third period as in the entire playoffs. Fleury was repelling every attack they could muster. When soon to be Hall of Fame defensemen Niklas Lidstrom of Detroit shot one final attempt at a goal. Fleury had enough strength to do a Superman dive across the goal to stop the shot with his chest. The most iconic save he will ever have in his career. The NHL's star player Sidney Crosby got his first of what will probably be many Stanley Cup titles. NHL fans were also treated to a very exciting series that showed when a team is cornered with what seems to be no way out, they will find a way through determination and teamwork. A game 7 for the ages in 2009.

Moment/Game #8

AFC Championship New England vs. Indianapolis January 21, 2007

The critics were all lined up ready to ask the obvious, "Peyton, what is Belichick doing to beat you guys year in and year out?" It seemed that New England was headed for its fourth Super Bowl in six years. The Patriots were winning in all facets of the game. Tom Brady was his usual calm self in the pocket. The defense was getting pressure on Peyton Manning. Even the special teams were outplaying the Colts. At this point you didn't want to see another Patriots Super Bowl. Not because they didn't make them exciting, but you wanted Peyton to finally get his chance at winning the Super Bowl. Everyone did. The story as it usually goes is you have to beat your rival to get to that game. Well, he did in dramatic fashion.

Everything went the way it was supposed to for the Patriots. Three touchdowns, including an interception by Asante Samuel of Peyton Manning seemed to seal the game at halftime if you can believe it. New England lead 21-6 and all seemed lost. Now I don't think anyone else I knew were thinking that this game still could be won. Peyton has had great comebacks before, but none of this magnitude. Peyton drove down the field scoring a touchdown to start the second half. Down 13-21. The ball came back to Peyton and he lead another drive that resulted in a score plus a two point conversion. Game tied 21-21. All signs were in favor of the Colts.

Tom Brady answered with a touchdown pass to give New England the lead again, 28-21. All hope was nearly gone in the fourth quarter when a fumble in the endzone by Indianapolis resulted a stroke of luck when Jeff Saturday, the starting center recovered the fumble for the tying touchdown. The next three possessions resulted in field goals, two by New England and one by Indianapolis. Patriots lead 34-31.

Peyton's moment came in the Colts final possession. During the drive, he jammed his thumb on a Patriots helmet. It appeared the comeback would not be complete. We knew that wouldn't keep him out of perhaps the most important game of his career up to that point. He taped it and began to methodically drive down the field completing pass after pass. The final play was not won by his arm, but by running back Joseph Addai for the go ahead touchdown with one minute left. New England was stunned. The celebrating could last only for so long as the Colts had to stop the Patriots from scoring, which weren't a problem as Tom Brady was intercepted to end the game.

The Colts had finally gotten over the hump and into a Super Bowl with their franchise quarterback. They went on to beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI 29-17. Peyton's moment though was and will always be this decade the game before the Super Bowl. Bill Belichick had no answer for Peyton in the second half. The Patriots did not just fall over by any means, but the Colts had more determination to win it. The greatest quarterback of my generation got his big ticket on this day and will probably get another one or two before you know it.

Moment/Game #9

Super Bowl XLIII Pittsburgh vs. Arizona February 1, 2009

We've all seen a great football game in our lives. They were either an offensive explosion or a defensive stalemate. It's very rare that you get both in one game. You had the offense in Arizona and the defense in Pittsburgh going head to head. To top it off it was in the Super Bowl. What more could you ask for in a title game than to have it be both entertaining and dramatic. This game was truly one of a kind.

Pittsburgh came in with one of the league's best defenses. Arizona had one of the league's most explosive offenses. You figured it was going to be good from start to finish. Well, not so much in the beginning. Arizona couldn't get anything going to start the game. Kurt Warner was playing in his third Super Bowl, first for Arizona and was on pace for his worst performance. Ben Roethlisberger was after his second ring in four seasons with Pittsburgh. Warner could only get Arizona seven points going into halftime. It could have been more had it not been for the interception to James Harrison that was returned for a TD in favor of Pittsburgh to end the half. With that Pittsburgh had a comfortable 17-7 lead.

The third quarter started with almost no scoring. Pittsburgh added another field goal to go up 20-7 heading into the fourth quarter. The fireworks started up when Arizona got a quick TD from Warner to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Down 20-14, Arizona's defense made key stops to keep Pittsburgh's lead by only a touchdown. With less than 4 minutes in the game, Arizona caused a safety which then gave them the ball down by only four. A slant route by Fitzgerald resulted in a 64 yard TD to give the underdog Cardinals a 23-20 lead with less than 2 minutes left in the Super Bowl.

Now the moment of this game came right after that play if you can believe it. Roethlisberger did not have a great game in his last Super Bowl, but the win is what counts. This was his time to shine. A drive of over 70 yards to win the game. It was that simple. Ben completed pass after pass, most to wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes almost broke it when he was tackled just outside Arizona's 5 yard line to set up one of the best play/catches in Super Bowl history. Ben threw his first pass to the left side of the endzone, but it went right through Holmes' hands. No worries, his next pass went to the right side and this time right in Holmes' hands.

Pictured above is the moment of one of the best Super Bowl's of all time. Yes it did have it all. A great offense against a great defense. It all came down to each team's so called weaknesses in the end. One thing you can take out of this game is the fact that you saw great plays (Holmes & Harrison TD's) and great players (Roethlisberger & Warner). If Arizona won, Fitzgerald no doubt would've been the MVP, but Holmes got the game and moment. This game would make the average football fan into a die hard by the time it's over.

Moment/Game #10

Game 7 Western Conference Finals Blazers vs. Lakers June 4, 2000

If you are a fan of Portland or of LA, you would know these two don't like each other. You can go as far back as 1977 when Portland swept the Lakers out of the Western Conference Finals en route to their only championship. But I digress. I'm here to talk about the year 2000. This was already a heated rivalry before this playoff matchup. The Lakers had Shaq & Kobe to go along with names like Horry, Green, Rice, Harper and Fisher to name a few. Adding Phil Jackson to coach was a stroke of genius as we all know. Portland had assembled a roster of All-Stars. Pippen, Wallace, Stoudamire were part of the starting lineup with Sabonis (you remember him) and Smith. Wells and Schrempf came off the bench. This was a great series that was all Lakers in the first four games. Final scores starting with game 1: 109-94, 77-106, 93-91, 103-91. Game two was won by Portland. The Lakers had home court, but when game five started, Portland was motivated to push the Lakers to seven games with victories in games five and six. Game five's final 96-88 came in LA and game six 103-93 came in Portland. Would this supposed dynasty in LA start or would it crumble before our eyes after being up 3 games to 1?


Both teams to start Game 7 were going back and forth. Portland had an early 23-16 lead after the first quarter. As with all game seven's, the stars were not going to rest for very long. Portland was going to count on Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and Steve Smith to win it for them. The Lakers were counting on Shaq and Kobe, but Glen Rice, Robert Horry and another person which I will reveal shortly were instrumental in helping LA pull it off. Portland continued with a good second quarter, but LA was only down by three. 39-42 Portland at halftime.

The third quarter could not have gone any better for Portland. They got out to a great start building at what point was a 15 point lead. 29 points were scored in the quarter by Portland to the 19 scored by LA. 58-71 Portland going into the fourth quarter. I remember thinking that I must be dreaming. This is a nightmare. They were up 3 games to 1 just a few days ago. Now they are about to let the Portland Jail...I mean Trail Blazers advance to the Finals. Of course I wasn't the only one thinking that. Staples Center was silent like much of LA. There was no worries though. When you have great players, they will shine at the right moment in a game.

Now the player that I have not mentioned yet that was instrumental in the Lakers comeback was...give up. Brian Shaw. I know, who would've thought that. Shaw dropped almost all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter including 9 from the three point line. That got the crowd back in it and more importantly Shaq and Kobe. Rice was hitting big shots, as was Horry aka Big Shot Bob. Now Portland had no idea what was going on because before they knew it, they were only up by 5, 4, 3, 2...see where this is going. The play that gave the Lakers the lead for good will be etched in Lakers fans memories forever. "Kobe drives down the lane. Here comes the double team, Kobe lobs it up in the air. There's Shaq SLAM DUNK!!! Lakers take the lead." That was my best attempt at imitating what the call might have been from Chick Hearn. Final 89-84 Lakers to the Finals. LA scored 31 in the fourth quarter to Portland's 13. A collapse by the Blazers, but a championship performance by the Lakers.

Now why is this game a bigger moment than any of the Lakers finals games this decade you ask. Well, for one, most of the Lakers finals games were blowouts. There were a few exceptions. 2000 Game 5 at Indiana, 2001 Game 1 against Philadelphia. That's pretty much it. The main reason is that this was the start of what would be the dynasty everyone expected out of these Lakers teams with Shaq and Kobe. They had to earn it of course and what better way to earn it than beating an arch rival to get to that championship. This was the start of something every Lakers fan wanted to see. An excuse to take a day off from work to celebrate in the Lakers championship parade.

Top Sports Teams of the Decade - MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA

MLB - New York Yankees

It does pain me to say it, but this is the team of the decade for baseball. Why you ask. Well it's simple, sort of. From the year 2000-09 they have made the playoffs all but one year. In the ten World Series this decade, the Yankees have been apart of four of them. Two wins and two losses. One thing you always have to admit about them is that they hate losing. They always put out winners. Granted they are buying wins, but what fan doesn't want their team to win every single year? Exactly. I could pick the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals or the Angels of Anaheim, but I can't overlook the consistent winning atmosphere in New York. Whether you like them or not, they are a sports fans dream come true.

NFL - New England Patriots

It is starting to look like an east coast bias here, but who else is even close to these guys. They might have cheated their way to the top (allegedly), but the results are etched in NFL history forever. They've appeared in four Super Bowls this decade and won three by a combined nine points. That gives you an idea of how exciting those games were. The level of consistency in the free agent era is astounding. They've been able to replace pro bowlers left and right year in and year out. If they had beaten the New York Giants two Super Bowls ago they would be the greatest team ever and perhaps in any decade.

NHL - New Jersey Devils

If you thought the first two were the examples of consistency. This team blew right past them. They made the playoffs the entire decade and appeared in three Stanley Cup Finals, winning two. They like the Yankees and Patriots have been able to replace certain pieces, but kept the core together for so many years. Names like Brodeur, Stevens & Niedermayer have been staples for a great franchise that is still a force in the NHL heading into the new decade.

NBA - Los Angeles Lakers

I could make the case for the San Antonio Spurs, but I will go with a well known here. From 2000-09 they made the playoffs all but one season. Appeared in the NBA Finals six times, winning four championships. The coach through most of it is probably the best of all time in Phil Jackson. Shaq was part of the resurgence, then it was past to Kobe, who is scary to say still in his prime. This team has gotten even better going into the new decade with perhaps its best roster since the early '00s.

Heisman Hopefuls

A lot of thought goes into deciding who wins this prestigious trophy (pictured above). You figure in individual statistics, team leadership and team success are just some of what voters look for in the eventual winner. Some consider the Heisman as the MVP of College Football. I never have and never will think of it as that. It goes to the best player no matter how the team he plays for performs.

Before the five finalists were announced, these were my five choices:
QB Colt McCoy Texas - 3,512 yards passing, 27 TD's
RB Toby Gerhart Stanford - 1,736 rushing yards, 26 TD's
QB Tim Tebow Florida - 3,272 total yards, 31 total TD's
RB Mark Ingram Alabama - 1,864 total yards, 18 total TD's
QB Case Keenum Houston - 5,449 passing yards, 47 total TD's

Very similar to the final five. I could make a case for others: DT Ndamukong Suh Nebraska, RB C.J. Spiller Clemson, QB Kellen Moore Boise State. I'm very happy that Suh was named a finalist. He is the true definition of a Heisman player. A game changer at defensive tackle of all places. Nebraska has had a complete turn around for its program thanks in part to Suh. Spiller has had an impressive season. 15 TD's and over 1,500 total yards for a decent Clemson team. Moore is worthy of consideration with 3,300 passing yards and 39 TD's. It just isn't fair sometimes.

Ndamukong Suh's stats are very respectable for being a Heisman finalist. 82 tackles, 23 for a loss. 12 sacks and an interception. Compared to the last defensive player to win the Heisman (CB Charles Woodson of Michigan) Suh's are pretty good. Woodson had 47 tackles and 8 interceptions his Heisman year.

I'd like to think Suh will get it, but I believe the voters will go with the hot hand. Mark Ingram had a great game against Florida in the SEC championship game. Tim Tebow had a good year, but no overwhelming to warrant a second Heisman. Colt McCoy had a great year, but compared to Tebow not good enough to win it over him. Toby Gerhart was unstoppable down the stretch and I believe it will be enough to get him the Heisman. First to win from the University of Stanford since QB Jim Plunkett in 1970. Congrats to the winner whoever it may be on December 12.

Tiger Needs to Find A New Hobbie (not talking about Golf)

Normally when you are great at the job you do. You make a lot of money doing it. Everybody idolizes you and respects you no matter what. You have a family and are set for the rest of your lives after you retire from your job. You wouldn't throw that all away, right. Well, some have and will continue to do that. Tiger Woods is the latest to get caught in the web of cheating and temptation that has and will always plague athletes til the end of time. The circumstances of his though are truly rare. Rarely do they get caught by their own wife instead of having been outed by the media.

The day after Thanksgiving around 2:30 in the morning. He crashes his Cadillac just outside of his property in Florida. The concern is of course whether or not Tiger is okay. However, within 24 hours though, the paparazzi and TMZ's of the world convened on the scene and immediately began speculation that more was at play here. The story originally was that Tiger's SUV sped out of control hit the fire hydrant near his property and stopped after hitting a nearby tree. He was laying on the pavement with his wife hovering over him when police and paramedics arrived. His wife had used a golf club to smash one of the back windows to get him out of the car. The only injuries to Tiger were minor cuts to his mouth. The police wanted to talk to Tiger and his wife Elin to discuss the details of how the crash came about. Understandably they declined to talk to them Friday because Tiger had just gotten out of the hospital. But they also declined to talk to them on Saturday and Sunday.

Now my first thought when I heard the original story was that Tiger must have been really tired or really plastered. Alcohol was ruled out soon thereafter. Then with the matter of his wife smashing not just one, but both back windows to get him out. Have you ever heard of the spare key. Click the unlock button, you can get him out much easier that way. If alcohol wasn't involved, they don't want to talk to the cops and both back windows were smashed out with a golf club. What was so important that you had to go driving at 2:30 in the morning? All Tiger needed to do was explain what happened not to the public, but to the police if he had nothing to hide. Unfortunately he did.

Reports came out that he was seeing a club promoter from New York, who she denies having an affair with Tiger Woods. Another person from Los Angeles handed over a voice message that she claims is Tiger telling her to take her name off her number when she calls him. Now that all this has come out, Tiger then goes on his website and says this:

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone."

He does not mention what he is apologizing, but does continue with this gem:

"But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions."

I agree we all deserve our privacy, but don't try to think that you can brush your troubles on the media. The media didn't have an affair (allegedly). That's rich that he or the people giving him advice are suggesting that there is absolutely nothing bad going on here by apologizing for his "transgressions" and that this is being blown out of proportion by the media looking to ruin him. You have managed to stay one step ahead of the tabloids, but they were always two steps behind you looking for you to trip and fall. For the record, Dictionary.com defines "transgression" as a violation of a law, command, or duty. Interesting choice of words there.

This whole incident has changed Tiger. He declined to play in his own tournament in Thousand Oaks, California that benefits his own foundation. The guy actually is avoiding the one thing that would be considered his sanctuary. Fellow golfer Jesper Parnevik (he wears the colorful outfits) today got off this gem about Tiger Woods. He had introduced Elin Nordegren to Tiger.

"I would be especially sad about it since I'm kind of -- I really feel sorry for Elin -- since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with him," Parnevik said. "We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologize to her and hope she uses a driver next time instead of the 3-iron."

He added this zinger:

"It's a private thing of course," he said. "But when you are the guy he is, the world's best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff ... And maybe not just do it, like Nike says."

Oh no he didn't. Jesper doing his best stand up. That will make things interesting at the clubhouse of the next tournament they both play in. Now I'm just speculating. This is not what actually happened. It's just a theory of mine. Elin finds out about the affair(s) during or after Thanksgiving dinner. She later confronts him. He denies and she flips. Things are said, things are thrown. It continues outside where she has a driver, Tiger gets into the car. Elin smashes both back windows. Tiger freaks out, proceeds down the driveway hitting the hydrant and tree. Realizing what was going to be perceived as a domestic disturbance, they both go with the original story explained above and try to brush it under the rug. Again this is just speculation.

Now what would make a man have an affair when he is married with two children. Ask Steve McNair or Rick Pitino. When it comes to others trying to bring you down, take Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. A frat boy releases a photo of him smoking some hippie lettuce in a dorm. The photo released just after setting Olympic records in Beijing. Phelps right away owned it and didn't try to down play it or cover it up. Tiger should have taken a page out of that playbook and owned it first with his wife. Then tell the story to the public before others tell it for him. I could be a public relations person, but I would never have come up with a bit that included "transgressions." That was a new one.

NFL Three Quarters Through the Season

I know it's more than half way through the season. That's why this is a 3/4 report of the NFL so far. Now there have been some lackluster teams this year. Seven teams don't have more than 3 wins and another four don't even have 5 wins. Now on the good side there are two teams at 11-0. Never happened before. Another team has 10 wins. Eight other teams could potentially win 10 or more games to finish the year. These next four weeks are going to have some great matchups and likely blowouts, but lets face it. We'll still watch them all.

Best of the Best
Colts 11-0
Saints 11-0
Vikings 10-1

Heads and shoulders above the rest of the pack. Each of these teams have MVP quarterbacks leading them and pretty good defenses to back them up on their bad days. Indy has Peyton Manning and his knack for the comeback victories. Brett Favre is a 40 year old on a mission to shut everyone up. Drew Brees is still putting up great numbers against some of the best teams in the league. Just ask Bill Belichick.

Strong Contenders
Patriots 7-4
Bengals 8-3
Steelers 6-5
Chargers 8-3
Cowboys 8-3
Cardinals 7-4

The Bengals are the surprise here. No one had them on top of their division let alone sweeping it. Carson Palmer has the offense on a good pace. The defense is why they are winning. Kudos to Marvin Lewis turning it around so fast. The Steelers I still have here because one they are still the defending champs and two they have Ben Roethlisberger. The guy is a top 5 QB now. Admit it. San Diego has a great slew of weapons on offense and the defense is finally coming around at the right time. New England even with their problems (both on the sidelines and the field) are set to win the division. Dallas will need to have a good December to silence the critics heading into the playoffs. Arizona still has great receivers, an improving defense and a running game that actually can win games for them.

Awards (if they were given out now)
MVP: Peyton Manning Colts
Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper Saints
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin Vikings
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd Bills
Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis Bengals

Now I'm not saying Drew Brees, Brett Favre or the many other candidates aren't worthy, but Peyton is, well, still Peyton. A darn good quarterback. The come from behind victories. It's been a magical year for Peyton and the Colts. Darren Sharper has been the same way on the defensive side for the Saints. Eight interceptions and how all of them weren't returned for touchdowns I don't know. Percy has been a great find for the Vikings who have an even more explosive offense now that he has arrived. Jairus Byrd has the ballhawking mentality needed for the Bills defense. He's taken advantage of the injuries to the secondary and emerged as a great cover safety. Can't go wrong with Marvin as the coach of the year. No disrespect to the other worthy candidates, but did any of you have the Bengals 8-3 at this point. I didn't either.

New Super Bowl prediciton:
Saints vs. Chargers

Now my original pick was Chargers vs. Seahawks. I know don't remind me. The Saints are a fun team to watch. It would've been great to see them in Super Bowl 41 against the Colts instead of the Bears. Now I wouldn't be surprised to see the Colts back again, but I think that the Chargers have finally found their groove and will continue the climb to a first round bye. Great games to look forward too the rest of the way.