Why 2016-2017 Is The Greatest Year In Sports History

LeBron James finally brings a ring back to Cleveland, the Chicago Cubs end the longest Championship drought in sports history, The NCAA Championship games for both Football and Basketball coming down to the final seconds, Tom Brady cementing his legacy, and many more. Many sports fans are claiming the 2016- 2017 year in sports to be the best of all time. Do you agree?

Villanova Takes Down UNC in the Final Seconds

The New York Times

The epic year in sports started off when Villanova and North Carolina met in the NCAA men’s Basketball Title game. It was a close game throughout, and with only a few seconds on the clock, Villanova drew up the perfect play that lead to the game winning basket at the buzzer. This was merely an appetizer for sports fans who had no idea of what was to come.

Queen James Wins one for "The Land".

Yahoo Sports / Via google.com

The impressive year in sports continued when the Cleveland Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to shock Stephen Curry, and the Golden State Warriors. This Cavaliers Championship marked the first in franchise history, and the first Championship brought back to Cleveland in a major sport since the Cleveland Browns in 1964. I am an avid LeBron James hater so although watching him win another Championship was painful, it brought us this hilariously iconic photo of him hysterically crying which subsequently turned in to a great internet meme. The only good thing to come out of LeBron James winning another championship is that the Warriors record setting season of 73-9 (Surpassing the 95'-96' Chicago Bulls record of 72-10) meant nothing because they did not win the Championship. That 72-10 Bulls team finished the season with the Championship Trophy in hand, and brought about a great quote from the former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen proclaiming that "It don't mean a thing without the RING!" So basically LeBron helped the Chicago Bulls maintain their legacy of having the greatest single season in NBA history (Regular Season, and Postseason).

Cubs End the Curse

Chicago Now / Via google.com

Just a few months later, the Chicago Cubs made it to their first World Series appearance since 1945. The Cubs looked like their season was slipping away falling behind in the series 3 games to 1. The Cubs ended up making a historic comeback and Won the 2016 World Series. The most amazing year in sports added another great championship series to its resume that was capped off by arguably the greatest Game 7 in the history of sports.

Clemson Shocks Alabama

Athlon Sports / Via google.com

Many sports fans would be content with the 3 fantastic finishes that are listed above, but the historic games continued. Next up was the NCAA National Championship game for football which featured 2 powerhouse teams. Alabama Crimson Tide who came into the game as the favorite, but Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers had other plans. Clemson ended up coming back from a 14-0 deficit to win the game in the final seconds. The unbelievable year in sports had continued into 2017.

First Overtime Game in Super Bowl History

CNN.com / Via google.com

Finally, the most recent of these classic sporting events was this year’s Super Bowl. It featured the ever-hated New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons looking for their first Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. Atlanta Jumped out to a commanding 28-3 lead midway through the 3rd quarter, and many people were writing it off as a blowout. Then, Tom Brady woke up and did what Tom Brady does. The Patriots ended up forcing the 1st Overtime Quarter in Super Bowl history. Tom Brady led the Patriots into the end zone on the first drive of Overtime and took home his 5th Super Bowl. Although I am a Tom Brady hater, as well as a Patriots hater, he gained my respect after the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and cementing his legacy as arguably the greatest Quarterback to ever play the game.

A Look Back at the Greatest Year in Sports

Leap Sports Mixes @sports_mixes

2016-17 Was the Greatest Sports Year of All Time

11:41 PM - 07 Feb 2017

Leap Sports Mixes (@sports_mixes) / Via Twitter: @sports_mixes

The significance and history behind these larger-than-life moments in sports can be greatly appreciated by the true sports fan. However, the drama behind these games in the unbelievable fashion in which they played out captured the attention of non- sports fans as well. Re-live all the extraordinary moments in sports with this video proclaiming that 2016- 17 is in fact the “Greatest Sports Year of All Time” courtesy of Leap Sports Mixes (@sports_mixes) on Twitter.