1. When Serena Williams decided to win yet another Australian Open Trophy before she left on maternity leave
In January, Serena Williams earned her seventh Australian Open title—while eight weeks pregnant (unbeknownst to her, at first). While practicing for her upcoming tournament in Australia, Williams began to feel nauseated. Although she doubted that a pregnancy was the cause of these symptoms, she took a pregnancy test and found out it was positive. Since the doctors assumed that she was only a few weeks into the pregnancy Williams chose to still compete. However, after she had finished and won the tournament, she discovered that she was two months pregnant. After the tournament, Williams took a couple videos with the trophy and said, as she rubbed her stomach, “This is the one we won together!”
2. When the New England Patriots pulled off the biggest [Super Bowl] comeback in history and defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime
For Falcons fans, the score 28-3 might be loaded with heartbreak and infamy, but for Pats fans, 28-3 will carry exciting memories and one of the greatest performances in NFL history. After coming back from a 25-point deficit, the Pats took their fifth franchise championship.
3. When the Golden State Warriors got their revenge against the Cleveland Cavaliers and took home the 2017 NBA Finals title, earning Kevin Durant, the Finals’ MVP, his first championship ring
In the 2016 NBA Finals, the Warriors, the highest-ranked team in the NBA, devastatingly blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers. Embarrassed by this defeat, the Warriors returned the following year to the Finals, stocked with more quality players and determination to finish what they started in 2016. With the help of Kevin Durant, the Warriors were finally able to pull through to the end.
4. When MMA fighter Conor McGregor stepped into the boxing ring with undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather for the “fight of the century”
In a fight that will go down in pay-per-view history, Conor McGregor, the underdog of the event, kept up with record-holding Floyd Mayweather for 10 rounds before a technical KO was called in Mayweather’s favor. This event raked in millions of dollars and allowed Mayweather to extend his 49-0 win streak to an even 50 wins.
5. When the Astros ended their franchise’s 56-seasons-long drought and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series
In 2017, the Houston Astros won their first Worlds Series Championship in franchise history. After a tied 3-3 championship record, the Astros and the Dodgers fought for a win, but the Dodgers came up short in the home stadium with the Astros winning the final game of the series 5-1. The triumph brought a much needed moral boost to the city that had just faced damaging flooding in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
6. When the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Finals
While the Predators fought hard against their opponents, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to even the series, the Penguins had the last laugh in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Predators went scoreless in their final two games in the series in large part because of Penguins rookie goaltender Matt Murray. Star center Sidney Crosby took home MVP honors for his performance in the playoffs, and the whole team was able to celebrate its fifth title in franchise history.
7. When Neymar left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar has been one of the most popular soccer players in the world for years, so when the young Brazilian forward left the powerhouse Barcelona for the lesser known Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), many criticized his decision. While Neymar enjoyed playing with stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in Barcelona, many believed that he wanted to lead his own team and be the go-to player, something that was not likely to happen on his former team. Regardless, soccer fans around the world were stunned by his decision. Neymar took a big risk, and PSG, which paid 222 million euro for the star forward, is definitely hoping that his choice pays off.
8. When our very own Sabrina Smith outcompeted 23 other contestants and was crowned as our university’s first Southern Ninja Warrior
On Nov. 4, 2017, the Student Association hosted its first-ever Southern Ninja Warrior competition. Based on the television series “American Ninja Warrior,” the competition consisted of various events that tested a person’s strengths, tactics, agility and athleticism. Out the 57 students who applied, only 24 students were chosen for this co-ed event. At first, the competition appeared to be close among the contestants, but after Sabrina Smith, junior Spanish major, walked onto the battlefield, there was no question as to who would win the title. Smith wowed the crowd with her finesse on the rock-climbing wall and her speed in each event. After the event, Smith posted on her Instagram, “Had a ton of fun doing the SAU Ninja Warrior Challenge. The other contestants were super encouraging, the crowd cheered us on, and the challenge course was thrilling... Most of all, God blessed.”