SI ranks most memorable events of the year
So SI's website today has their listing of the 113 most memorable (for good or bad) events in the world of sport for 2013. So, it's not just who won what title or what crazy play happened, it also includes things like the Boston Marathon bombing (which topped the list at #1) This covers all sports, pro and amateur, around the world, but Michigan still managed to pop onto the list a few times.
Here's where we appeared:
101 - Eminem's appearance in the booth during the UM vs ND UTLII game
83 - Michigan vs OSU game
50 - Trey's shot vs Kansas
15 - Clowney's hit on Vincent Smith
13 - NCAA championship game
Surprisingly, the last second field goal didn't show up on the list, maybe it was an honorable mention. Some of the other items of college sports note include Te'o's catfishing at #7, Auburn's win over Bama at #2, and Auburn's win over Georgia at #29, amongst several others.
So what do you guys think of the list? Any glaring omissions?
December 20th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
a #15...
HE WAAAAS UNNN-BLOOOOCKED!
December 20th, 2013 at 1:16 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 1:23 PM ^
But it sickens me that he's gotten so much notoriety for a hit that went unchallenged.
Before I go to far...I'll stop here. This topic has been debated ad nauseum on this very blog.
I'm sorry...
December 20th, 2013 at 1:32 PM ^
The play itself might be overrated, as Clowney was unblocked, but the reason this play is so memorable is that it came immediately after a blown call by the refs, resulted in a fumble and recovery for South Carolina, and pretty much changed the outcome of the game.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 2:19 PM ^
but to play the advocate roll, how much attention did Alan Branch get after that hit? Besides by us, I mean. I would venture a guess less than 10% of what Clowney is getting.
Edit: Not to mention, Branch had to beat an OL to get to him on that play. But honestly, every player on the D got to him that day, so...
December 20th, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
The Clowney hit happened during a New Year's Day bowl game where as the Branch hit happened during the regular season.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:30 PM ^
"The context makes no difference."
- Magnus
December 20th, 2013 at 2:36 PM ^
I think the context Magnus was referring to was that Clowney was unblocked. Doesn't matter. It was still a huge hit. So was the Branch hit. Clowney's hit is very memorable for a number of reasons, including that it was during a New Year's Day bowl game and Smith's helment flew off to name a few.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to throw that line back at ya. Little bit of sarcasm there... Check your detector, I think it may be inoperative. :-)
December 20th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^
A little blind luck thrown in there to boot. Super!
December 20th, 2013 at 2:59 PM ^
December 21st, 2013 at 9:45 AM ^
Didn't Clowney also cause and recover a fumble on that play? It wasn't just the hit with the helmet flying off; SC had also just been screwed by the officials on the previous play, and along comes Clowney to get the ball right back.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^
The only thing that bothers me about the hit is that Hoke should've taken a TO. It was obvious that Clowney was going to go wild like Charles Jefferson (Forest Whitaker) in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and we needed to get our shit straight.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^
Also a foot taller and 100lbs heavier.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:16 PM ^
Great post Mike but I'm sorry - Trey's three should be WAY higher than #50. I mean common SI - Kobe's injury, RGIII being shut down & Green Bay beating Dallas last week rank higher?
December 20th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^
... always suffer from immediacy bias. If Burke's shot happened last week and the other events occurred in April, the order would definitely be switched.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:34 PM ^
Agreed and also geared toward more mainstream sports. The Kurt Caselli tragedy during this year's Baja 1000 rocked me pretty hard: Link
December 20th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
If Kobe's injury and Trey's shot were switched, Laker fans would be bitching about it.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:29 PM ^
In 10 years no one is going to give 2 shits about RGIII's benching or that GB beat Dallas, but we will always have Trey's shot and it will never be forgotten by UM fans.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^
Tell that to Packer fan
December 20th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
Smash Mouth playing at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
December 20th, 2013 at 3:58 PM ^
for the worst things in 2013? That would be top 10.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
To bad it wasn't Michigan but the #1 for me was watching OSU fail with their NC hopes. Felt like a kid on Christmas morning getting my first bike.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
To bad it wasn't Michigan but the #1 for me was watching OSU fail with their NC hopes. Felt like a kid on Christmas morning getting my first bike.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
To bad it wasn't Michigan but the #1 for me was watching OSU fail with their NC hopes. Felt like a kid on Christmas morning getting my first bike.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:34 PM ^
I actually had not seen the J.J. Worton catch (#60) until now - that was ridiculous. Great, great grab. What makes it even more remarkable is that this looked like a badly broken play, and Bortles was seconds from being sacked too. According to the scoring report for the game, there was barely over a minute left too. Couldn't ask for a better-timed catch.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
From the number of empty seats in the stands, it looks as if you weren't the only one not to see that catch.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:43 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
wrapped up with their NIT loss to Robert Morris AT Robert Morris (b/c of scheduling issues).
December 20th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^
#20 is Torii Hunter going over the wall in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox too.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
he had caught that ball. Maybe elevated him another 10 spots. #1 if Detroit goes to the WS.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:52 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^
By last second FG, do you mean the shot made in the Wisconsin game back in February? If so, that should probably be in there somewhere.
It's good to see they gave Andy Murray his due repects for winning Wimbeldon at #10 in his home country.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 2:42 PM ^
I figured the NW game's ending was obviously what I meant there.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:56 PM ^
From a US soccer perspective, a little perplexing to see "Snow Clasico" ranked lower than the "You're Welcome" US-Panama game (after we had already punched our World Cup ticket).
Plus, the "Snow Fro" picture is iconic for the 2013 US soccer year.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
It doesn't appear to be there (maybe 65?) but the USA defeating Mexcio 2-0 in Columbus to clinch a spot in the World Cup.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:38 PM ^
As a spectator to that game, I wholeheartedly agree.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:11 PM ^
I forgot how funny the Anthony Adams videos were. His retirement video was good but his life as a free agent is better IMO.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^
How is Dunk City higher than Trey's 3? Come on now. And RGIII being benched? And NFL week 14? Come on now.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^
Obviously agree with #1 and #2. The Super Bowl blackout at #3 though? I would have put the Aaron Hernandez case there. In most years that's coming in at #1.
December 20th, 2013 at 3:07 PM ^
December 20th, 2013 at 3:30 PM ^
I make no attempt to say these are objective, but here are my most memorable moments:
1. Spike Albrecht's first half of the NCAA title game
2. Going for two at the end of the Ohio game
3. The Gardner/Gallon show against Notre Dame
4. The no-call to end the Niners/Ravens Superbowl
5. The goal line stand at the end of the Akron-Michigan game
6. Trey Burke's steal to ice the win against Michigan State
7. Papi's grandslam in the ALCS
8. Wisconsin half-court shot to force OT at Wisconsin, and OT loss
9. Trey Burke's deep 3 against Kansas in the Sweet 16
10. Missed field goals in OT against Penn State
Looking back there are more highs in an otherwise shittastic year than it felt like going through, but many of the football losses were just numbing and/or expected.
December 20th, 2013 at 5:38 PM ^
Burke's shot is only #9 on your list? Damn.
December 20th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^
One big hit in a meaningless game is not the 15th best or most memorable moment. Are we reading sports illustrated or fucking buzzfeed?
December 20th, 2013 at 4:19 PM ^
#62
It's getting a little emotional over here.
December 20th, 2013 at 4:23 PM ^
Not one mention of Spike going off for 17 points in the first half for #13... Instead we get to read about a tattoo Pitino got.
December 20th, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
Biggest rivalry game, huge upset, ending OSUs win streak and national title hopes with 2pt conversion. Would it have had a shot at Top 5?
Damn that would have been sweet. I'm gonna go cry now.