The World of Sports

New on Sports Illustrated: Sugar Bowl Preview: Will Clemson-Ohio State Rematch Have a Familiar Ending?

<a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/12/31/clemson-vs-ohio-state-preview-playoff-semifinal">
<p class="subtitle">Breaking down the semifinal battle between the Buckeyes and Tigers.</p>
<p>NEW ORLEANS — Who would have guessed that</p>
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/">Ohio State</a> and <a href="https://www.si.com/college/clemson/">Clemson</a> would meet in a College Football Playoff semifinal? They’ve only done that three times in the last five seasons. It hasn’t worked out for the Buckeyes, who <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2019/12/29/clemson-beats-ohio-state-fiesta-bowl-trevor-lawrence">lost last year’s meeting 29–23</a> after blowing an early 16–0 lead and dropped a 31–0 rout to the Tigers in the 2016 semifinal.
<p>In fact, Clemson has won all four meetings with Ohio State in the series history, winning the Orange Bowl, 40–35, in 2013 and claiming a two-point Gator Bowl win in 1978. The Tiger is squarely on the Buckeyes’ backs. And to get it off, they will need a whale of a game from QB Justin Fields and an electric performance from twin tailbacks Trey Sermon and Master Teague. They’re a one-two punch that could give Clemson DC Brent Venables fits in the same way that Fields and RB J.K. Dobbins did last season (Ohio State had 516 yards, outgaining Clemson by 99 yards).</p>
<p>It doesn’t get much more glamorous than the quarterback–running back matchup of Fields and Teague vs. Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Good luck to the defenses!</p>
<figure><img height="349" src="https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTc3ODg0NTEyODU4OTQxMDM3/clemson-vs-ohio-state-2020-preview.jpg" width="620" /></figure>
<h2>Storyline you’re already tired of</h2>
<p>Ohio State shouldn’t be here. If you haven’t heard (you have), the Buckeyes only played six games this season, leapfrogged a 10–1 Notre Dame in the seeding and coasted into the playoff in front of squads like 8–1 Texas A&M and 9–0 Cincinnati. Oh, and Dabo Swinney, a voter in the coaches poll, <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/12/21/dabo-swinney-ranks-ohio-state-11-coaches-poll">ranked the Buckeyes No. 11 in his most recent top 25</a>. The nerve!</p>
<p>If there’s a more tired story surrounding the College Football Playoff, we haven’t noticed. That’s not saying it shouldn’t be a story. But we’re at the end of our rope—it’s time to move on.</p>
<h2>Key matchup to watch</h2>
<p>Lawrence, Etienne and Amari Rodgers vs. an Ohio State secondary that is giving up gobs of yards. The Buckeyes allowed 491 yards passing to Indiana, 281 to Penn State and 224 to a Northwestern team that isn’t known for the longball. They rank 104th nationally as a pass defense, and through six games, the unit has allowed 21 competitions of 20 yards or more—or roughly four a game.</p>
<p>That sound you heard is Lawrence & Co. sharpening their knives.</p>
<h2>Underrated X-factor</h2>
<p>Tony Elliott’s absence. In his sixth year as Clemson’s offensive coordinator and play-caller, <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/12/30/clemson-offensive-coordinator-tony-elliott-will-not-coach-in-sugar-bowl-due-to-covid-19-protocols">Elliott will miss the Sugar Bowl</a> after registering a positive COVID-19 test this week. The Tigers are likely to lean on quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator Brandon Streeter to call plays, and don’t forget that head coach Dabo Swinney is an offensive-minded guy who has a big hand in the unit. </p>
<h2>Clemson wins if it...</h2>
<p>Can corral Ohio State’s rushing attack, something it failed to do a year ago (Dobbins had 174 yards) despite eeking out a comeback win. The Buckeyes’ duo of Teague and Sermon, running behind an elite offensive line, are averaging 275 yards a game on the ground. That’s not even the most impressive stat. They’re at six yards a carry—third in the nation.</p>
<h2>Ohio State wins if it…</h2>
<p>Doesn’t allow more than 250 yards passing to Lawrence. Easier said than done, right? Lawrence has broken that passing mark in six of nine games this season. The Tigers have lots of ways to beat you, but Lawrence is the straw that stirs their drink. A less-than-prolific day for him bodes well for the Buckeyes, which can score in bunches on the offensive side.</p>
<h2>What we think happens</h2>
<p>Ohio State isn’t catching the Tigers at the best time. They recently dismantled the playoff No. 4 seed, Notre Dame, the only team to beat Clemson this season. Remember, the Tigers are undefeated with Lawrence at QB. They’ll remain that way, en route to another dance with Alabama in Miami Gardens.</p>
<p><strong>Clemson 37, Ohio State 24</strong></p>
<h3>More Sugar Bowl Coverage From SI.com:</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.si.com/college/clemson/football/5-storylines-for-clemson-ohio-state-sugar-bowl">Five Storylines for Clemson vs. Ohio State</a><br />
<a href="https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/football/ohio-state-football-most-pressing-questions-ahead-of-college-football-playoff">Most Pressing Questions as Ohio State Prepares for Playoff</a><br />
<a href="https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/football/ohio-state-football-acutely-aware-of-clemson-stealing-signs">Ohio State Keenly Aware of Clemson's Sign-Stealing History</a></p>

New on Sports Illustrated: Sugar Bowl Preview: Will Clemson-Ohio State Rematch Have a Familiar Ending?

Breaking down the semifinal battle between the Buckeyes and Tigers. NEW ORLEANS — Who would have guessed that Ohio State and Clemson would meet in a College Football Playoff semifinal? They’ve only d…

31 Dec 2020

New on Sports Illustrated: Hot Clicks 100: The Best Stories, Tweets and Videos of 2020

<a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/12/31/hot-clicks-top-100-2020">
<p class="subtitle">100 moments, big and small, that helped define the year in sports.</p>
<p>Of all the jobs to have in 2020, sportswriter was a relatively easy one. It’s far from what anyone could reasonably consider essential, and it comes with the luxury of being able to choose a desk, a couch or a bed as the day’s office. Inexplicably, even during the dark days of the spring and early summer when there were no major sports happening in North America, writing a daily sports column managed to not be impossible. </p>
<p>I spent the last few weeks of the year going back through every Hot Clicks of 2020 to pick out my 100 favorite items. (Boy, was it weird to relive the pandemic that way.) Though this was undoubtedly the worst year to be online, I still had no trouble finding a long list of things to feature here. Whittling it down to 100 proved difficult. </p>
<p>This will always be remembered as the year a pandemic threw the world off its axis, but there were so many other things that made it memorable. It was the year LeBron won his first title in Los Angeles (well, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.). It was when an ESPN documentary became the biggest television event of the year. It was also when a cricket batsman hit himself in the nuts. Below are the 100 things that I most enjoyed sharing with our readers. (They’re not listed in any particular order, but they are numbered to prove there are actually 100.)</p>
<h3>100. Robbie Anderson was very confused about his new team’s mascot</h3>
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</a>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h3>99. The Mavs turned their balconies into a club during their initial quarantine period in the NBA bubble</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbgKU0FNjT/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>98. The Bucks’ G League coach went on an epic rant after his team <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/02/24/bucks-g-league-chase-buford-referee-rant-video">blew a 28-point lead in the final quarter</a></h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/ryanrodig/status/1231757897648033802"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>97. A Canadian <em>Family Feud</em> contestant answered a question very confidently but very wrongly</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/mikesbloggity/status/1215468184611934208"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>96. A guy announcing a Minnesota high school basketball game made a joke <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/01/09/minnesota-high-school-basketball-dead-dog-dunk-video">about his broadcast partner’s dead dog</a></h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Ross_homan1/status/1215143386660864000"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>95. Joey Votto explained why the shirt gifted to him by the Reds’ clubhouse attendants is one of his most prized possessions</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1308043806172999682"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>94. Dr. Dre helped produce an amazing video tribute to Kobe Bryant before the All-Star Game</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KbSDDDe2iJA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>93. Daniel Jones broke a huge run but tripped over his own feet</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1319464628468867073"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>92. Alex Trebek announced the Senators’ first-round draft pick</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Senators/status/1313624721158799360"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>91. A Dutch train that derailed was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/02/all-cetaceans-go-whale-sculpture-stops-dutch-train-crashing-into-water">saved from plummeting 30 feet by a statue of a whale’s tail</a></h3>
<h3>90. A Hungarian hockey player leapt into the glass to celebrate a goal and crashed through it</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/77e28QHqWpc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<p>(<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHD-8VFpZzT/">A photographer was fortunately stationed in the right place and got some amazing photos</a>.)</p>
<h3>89. Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. made an absurd one-handed interception</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/accnetwork/status/1312577296268693506"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>88. Wildfires in California <a href="http://si.com/extra-mustard/2020/09/10/giants-athletics-wildfires-orange-skies-photos">made for a spooky backdrop to baseball games in the Bay Area</a></h3>
<h3>87. Joe Kelly broke a window during a backyard bullpen session</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DRqWdAsv-/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>86. A news reporter got a little too up close and personal with a bison</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/DeionBroxton/status/1242910540105576450"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>85. Bobby Ryan scored a hat trick in his first game back after seeking help for substance use</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kPfAgldDSmQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>84. A bunch of New Yorkers came together to lift up a car that ran over a woman</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/colbydroscher/status/1221560070632329222"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>83. After Kobe Bryant died, this video recirculated of Kobe's reuniting with his high school point guard</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_nV2cf0z4Aw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>82. The day after the NBA season suspension, the Big East tournament got canceled in the middle of a game</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1238150650342629378"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<p>Mike Watts, the PA announcer who notified the crowd of the decision (and whom I spent many a long van ride with on trips to Patriot League football games), was back at MSG nine months later as the Big East resumed play. </p>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/MikeWattsOnAir/status/1339451340561498112"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>81. Michael Jordan looking at an iPad became one of the year’s most popular memes</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1259678450606104576"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>80. Reddit users shared <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/04/09/baseball-reddit-weird-baseball-fields-photos">photos of the strangest baseball fields in the world</a></h3>
<h3>79. This guy wouldn’t let a pandemic get in the way of his casino trip or a mask get in the way of his cigarette</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BunkiePerkins/status/1270325652445704193"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>78. Two men hired to break into a house with machetes and fulfill a man’s sexual fantasy of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-52843846">being tied up in his underwear and “stroked with a broom” broke into the wrong house</a></h3>
<h3>77. This guy in Michigan did a ridiculous number of flips all in a row</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqK_FiFwmF/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>76. Hulking soccer player Adebayo Akinfenwa gave a delightful interview after winning the biggest game of his life</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/geFU0y6f-y0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>75. Somebody called hotel security <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/07/15/heat-jimmy-butler-nba-bubble-hotel-security">in the NBA bubble to complain that Jimmy Butler was dribbling a ball in his room</a></h3>
<h3>74. Hartford Athletic scored one of the strangest goals you’ll ever see</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/NJEMurray/status/1311478214951305216"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>73. Katie Ledecky swam a lap without spilling any milk from a glass on her head</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDbzlwrlHfK/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>72. A man in Malaysia lost his phone and <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-54157459">discovered a bunch of selfies of a monkey when he found it again</a></h3>
<h3>71. Derrick Henry destroyed Josh Norman with a viscous stiff arm</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Titans/status/1316168490752118785"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>70. A Scottish soccer team’s broadcast technology was outsmarted by a bald guy’s head</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/seagull81/status/1320132156774023168"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>69. A Rice field goal attempt doinked off both uprights and the crossbar, twice</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/AtTheRoost/status/1320142414296895488"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>68. Todd Gurley lost a game for the Falcons by scoring when he shouldn’t have</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1320460707096309764"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/bykevinclark/status/1320526552896065536"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>67. A federal government <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/10/30/wwe-ronda-rousey-arrest-trump-administration">document listed Ronda Rousey’s WWE arrest as real</a></h3>
<h3>66. A California woman survived a close encounter with a whale</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/melnewmantv/status/1323439770043777024"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>65. Maya Moore married the man she left the WNBA to help free from prison</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1306214856283090945"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>64. Tacko Fall started taking swimming lessons</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/nicolecyang/status/1234190397221560320"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>63. Two guys in Vegas did a “jersey swap” after a night of clubbing</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/shanepedroza/status/1226750734630191104"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>62. Tom Brady inadvertently <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/04/23/tom-brady-tampa-bay-byron-leftwich-neighbor-house">broke into a guy’s house thinking it was his new offensive coordinator’s</a></h3>
<h3>61. A Phillies rookie who grew up a Yankees fan was overjoyed to be playing in the Bronx</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/HannahRKeyser/status/1285379707140288519"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>60. Boban Marjanović was so cute in this interview on <em>Inside the NBA</em></h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rov4aA_iSB8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>59. Then Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/08/28/mets-brodie-van-wagenen-leaked-video">got caught on a video that leaked under hilarious circumstances ripping Rob Manfred</a>.</h3>
<h3>58. Sue Bird added to her enormous trophy collection</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1313642038831788032"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1313642053054668801"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>57. Khalil Mack made a lineman 60 pounds heavier than him look like a child</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1314390118791143425"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>56. Paul Rudd gave cookies to voters in Brooklyn</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Bowl_of_Worcel/status/1321825998262980609"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>55. ESPN’s Joe Tessitore got to call a trick play executed by his son</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1322597020280918016"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/JoeTessESPN/status/1322639116610293760"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>54. A government official in Milwaukee apologized after using the Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion song “WAP” <a href="https://www.stereogum.com/2104590/wap-weatherization-assistance-program-milwaukee/news/">to promote an energy efficiency effort called the Weatherization Assistance Program</a></h3>
<h3>53. Jerry Jeudy fooled a DB with a simple hand gesture</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/FBallAnalysis/status/1325539834308550656"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>52. A helicopter delivering a heart to be transplanted crashed on the hospital’s helipad, but the surgery was still successful</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/35kUs5B9yr0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>51. Jon Rahm won a tournament in a playoff with a 66-foot putt and later made a hole-in-one by skipping the ball across a pond in Masters practice</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/GOLF_com/status/1300214059376218112"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/1326232433373704194"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>50. A high school football coach in Maryland <a href="https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/education/schools/private/st_johns_catholic_prep/despite-a-53-0-loss-st-johns-coach-gets-the-win-by-surviving-an-in/article_2aacfffc-f57b-5803-b41a-30e9b76d2771.html">had a heart attack at halftime but coached the rest of the game, a 53–0 loss</a></h3>
<h3>49. CeeDee Lamb made a ridiculous touchdown catch</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1330639305048469504"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>48. This carpet bowling shot might have been the sports highlight of the year</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e4ohG2I0NA8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>47. Knicks fans finally got fed up enough to chant “Sell the team” en masse</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/MikeVorkunov/status/1222716433190346752"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>46. The pandemic forced priests to get creative with the holy water</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/bethbourdon/status/1264702232227971072"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>45. A six-year-old boy in <a href="https://abcnews4.com/news/local/boy-fishes-stolen-safe-out-of-whitney-lake-helps-solve-8-year-old-mystery">South Carolina found a stolen safe in a lake with a magnet</a>.</h3>
<h3>44. A hockey player went to extreme lengths to fake his stats</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/eliteprospects/status/1267062801975201794"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>43. Protests against racial injustice <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/08/27/nba-protests-jacob-blake-knicks-statement">brought the sports world to a halt</a>.</h3>
<h3>42. Cody Bellinger dislocated his shoulder celebrating a home run</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1318030723811577856"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>41. Mark Melancon caught home run balls off the bat of Ozzie Albies on back-to-back nights</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8cGjQrToYc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>40. The streaming service Quibi, which featured offerings such as a truly deranged show about a woman with a golden arm, crashed and burned spectacularly</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/zachraffio/status/1250273191810875392"></a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BenMullin/status/1319079025839656960"></a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/anafabregagood/status/1319057036857036800"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>39. Tom Brady miscounted the downs and gave us a hilarious meme</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1314409734917611522"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>38. A high school football team <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/12/03/alabama-high-school-football-thompson-auburn-finish-video">in Alabama scored 10 points in 18 seconds to win a state title</a>.</h3>
<h3>37. This fighter got dropped in the blink of an eye</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlUXfIHp9g/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>36. A Danish soccer player scored one of the most impressive goals you’ll ever see</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D6QMif9mxQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>35. A high school football game <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/11/12/remsen-st-marys-tops-montezuma-108-94-record-breaking-iowa-8-player-game/6265698002/">in Iowa ended with a final score of 108–94</a>.</h3>
<h3>34. D.K. Metcalf showed he’s as fast as is he strong</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1320536529748504576"></a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1321155578085986306"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>33. Cowboys defensive coordinator <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/10/27/cowboys-mike-nolan-hot-sauce-video">Mike Nolan had to stop his press conference after getting hot sauce in his eye</a></h3>
<h3>32. The world was introduced to the horror of the “Wigan kebab”</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_oIys5KS4A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>31. A naked man in Berlin <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53692475">was photographed chasing a wild boar that stole his laptop</a></h3>
<h3>30. Alex Killorn marked the resumption of the NHL season by making a <em>Mighty Ducks</em> parody video</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Akillorn19/status/1266038471476404225"></a></blockquote>
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<h3>29. Ashley Sanchez of the Washington Spirit had a ridiculous assist on a corner kick</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/JBlock49/status/1279985121085382656"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>28. A soccer player declared dead <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/11546529/footballer-killed-car-crash-alive-wife-fraud-insurance/">after a 2016 car crash was reportedly found alive and well in Germany</a></h3>
<h3>27. Johnny Boychuk took a skate blade to the face and got 90 stitches</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K1_EvzezHGY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>26. This tweet from Demi Adejuyigbe had me cracking up</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/electrolemon/status/1232137286868856833"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>25. A British man ran an <a href="https://www.sportbible.com/other/news-community-take-a-bow-man-runs-26-mile-marathon-in-his-back-garden-to-raise-money-for-nhs-20200401">entire marathon in his tiny backyard and livestreamed the whole thing on YouTube</a></h3>
<h3>24. An Olympic skier built an impressive obstacle course in his house</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSports/status/1244017671324094465"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>23. A high school football game in Alabama ended with a ridiculous number of laterals</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/ByCasagrande/status/1304648503398862849"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>22. Nobody wants to <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/04/17/michael-jordan-house-for-sale-chicago-video">buy Michael Jordan’s house</a></h3>
<h3>21. NFL draft prospect Ben Bartch <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/02/27/nfl-draft-ben-bartch-protein-shake-weight-gain">revealed the nasty protein shake he would choke down to pack on weight</a></h3>
<h3>20. Team manager <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/03/03/jackson-state-basketball-manager-snacks-video">Thomas “Snacks” Lee</a> provided the highlight of Jackson State’s basketball season</h3>
<iframe height="354" width="630" src="https://streamable.com/s/i9w2z/nbvfsr" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
<h3>19. Deontay Wilder lost the first fight of his career <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/02/25/deontay-wilder-tyson-fury-fight-costume-excuse">and blamed it on the elaborate costume he wore for his entrance</a></h3>
<h3>18. 42-year-old Zamboni driver David Ayres was called upon in emergency backup duty for the Hurricanes and beat the Maple Leafs</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gZgvsCSDecc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>17. Getty Images photographer <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/02/08/lakers-photographer-lebron-james-iconic-dunk">Andrew D. Bernstein</a> captured perhaps the most iconic image of LeBron’s career</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/Buccigross/status/1225672013219368964"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>16. Serge Ibaka hilariously explained his fashion choices: “I don’t dress, I do art”</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/SNFaizalKhamisa/status/1224467875609661440"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>15. A Venezuelan baseball player attacked the opposing catcher with his bat</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/HoraH19/status/1215089871431389191"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>14. Jimmy Butler hit T.J. Warren <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/01/09/heat-pacers-jimmy-butler-tj-warren-video">with some really vicious trash talk</a></h3>
<h3>13. Marshawn Lynch had some great advice for young players after his final game</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/MrKeithJenkins/status/1216570543647924224"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>12. An F1 driver walked away from a terrifying crash</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZQ7_En2xEm4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>11. A young Canadian had a very slick assist</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/HC_WJC/status/1329106044287594497"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>10. Tiger Woods completely imploded on a par-3 at the Masters</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/dhm/status/1328032545498411017"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>9. Oregon State and Washington had this total mess of a play</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1327827582293774336"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>8. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins combined for an incredible Hail Mary</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1328133325383471104"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/AZSports/status/1328141754105618434"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>7. The Lightning’s Brayden Point <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/08/12/lightning-blue-jackets-five-overtimes-brayden-point-video">ended a five-OT game, and the broadcast calls were amazing</a></h3>
<h3>6. A Swiss hockey player showed some ridiculous skill with this shootout goal</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/srfsport/status/1228077575978803206"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>5. Bam Adebayo won a playoff game with a sick block</h3>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xJxSfxbE47c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h3>4. A guy celebrating Joe Biden’s election win crashed a French news broadcast</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/pierre_lt/status/1325160903784816640"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<h3>3. A Utah man came forward to claim he was the guy who made and delivered <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/05/19/michael-jordan-last-dance-pizza-delivery-craig-fite">the pizza Michael Jordan ate before the famous “flu game”</a></h3>
<h3>2. Mike Trout obliterated a golf ball</h3>
<iframe width="320" height="320" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9N59S-gA_m/embed" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<h3>1. A cricket player took multiple nut shots, and the announcers couldn’t control themselves</h3>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BBL/status/1214489627752452096"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/BBL/status/1214491415503179776"></a></blockquote>
<script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

New on Sports Illustrated: Hot Clicks 100: The Best Stories, Tweets and Videos of 2020

100 moments, big and small, that helped define the year in sports. Of all the jobs to have in 2020, sportswriter was a relatively easy one. It’s far from what anyone could reasonably consider essenti…

31 Dec 2020

New on Sports Illustrated: Gregg Popovich Ejected vs. Lakers as Becky Hammon Takes Over

<a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2020/12/31/gregg-popovich-spurs-ejected-becky-hammon-acting-head-coach">
<p class="subtitle">Hammon assumed acting head coach duties after Popovich received two technical fouls for arguing a non-call with the officials.</p>
<p>Late in the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was ejected after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with officials. The ejection occurred after Popovich thought DeMar DeRozan was fouled driving to the basket for a layup, but there was no foul called.</p>
<div>
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<p>Popovich left with the Spurs trailing the Lakers, 52-41. He was <a href="https://twitter.com/LakersReporter/status/1344470466518417409">replaced by assistant coach Becky Hammon</a>, who took over head coaching duties for the rest of the game.</p>
<p>Hammon, 43, is in her seventh season as a Spurs assistant after an accomplished 16-year career in the WNBA. Last season, Popovich was ejected from a game in November and <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2019/11/17/spurs-lose-with-tim-duncan-coaching-after-gregg-popovich-ejection">replaced as acting head coach by a committee</a> that included Hammon, though then-assistant Tim Duncan was charged with calling plays.</p>
<p>Hammon has previously served as head coach for the Spurs during the NBA Summer League. This is the first time Popovich has been ejected this season.</p>

New on Sports Illustrated: Gregg Popovich Ejected vs. Lakers as Becky Hammon Takes Over

Hammon assumed acting head coach duties after Popovich received two technical fouls for arguing a non-call with the officials. Late in the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Spurs…

31 Dec 2020

New on Sports Illustrated: Tatum helps Celtics rally to beat Pacers 116-111

<a href="https://www.si.com/nba/game/2292192">
<p>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens suspected history was repeating itself for the second time in three nights in his hometown.</p>
<p>His team was ''knocked all over the place'' by the physical Indiana Pacers in a one-sided third quarter. But much to the satisfaction of Stevens, who played high school basketball in the Indianapolis suburb of Zionsville and coached Butler University to back-to-back NCAA championship games, his Celtics regrouped in a hurry to erase a 17-point deficit for a 116-111 road win on Tuesday.</p>
<p>''We're not where we want to be,'' Stevens said, ''but sometimes you've got to find a way to win. We've got a long way to go to get to as good as we need to be.''</p>
<p>What changed? More defensive aggression, for starters. And Jayson Tatum stepped up with 14 of his 27 points in the final quarter, when the Celtics had a 33-18 advantage.</p>
<p>''We knew we had to pick up the intensity,'' Tatum said. ''And we knew we had to get some defensive stops. We got on a roll and kept on going.''</p>
<p>Tatum atoned for missing a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining that could have provided the Celtics with a win over the Pacers two nights ago on the same floor. In that game, the Pacers also had a huge third quarter before the Celtics rallied to take the lead. However, the Pacers won 108-107 on Domantas Sabonis' layup with 8.4 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>''We felt like we let the last game get away,'' Jaylen Brown said. ''We didn't want this one to get away, too.''</p>
<p>Victor Oladipo, who sat out the previous game after scoring 22 points in each of his other starts, had 20 of his 24 through three quarters for the Pacers. T.J. Warren scored 15 of his 17 points in the third quarter.</p>
<p>''Every game isn't going to be perfect,'' Oladipo said. ''We're still trying to figure things out. But the ceiling for this team is very scary. We can be a very good team.''</p>
<p>The Celtics had four scorers with nine or more points for a 58-57 halftime lead.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Celtics: Reserve guard Jeff Teague sank a 3-pointer in the second quarter to snap a streak of 15 consecutive missed shots dating back to the season opener. The Indianapolis native played one season for his hometown Pacers in 2016-17.</p>
<p>Pacers: The last time this team started 4-0 was in 2013-14, when Indiana opened 9-0. ... Sabonis was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 1 after he averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in three victories.</p>
<p>THEY SAID IT</p>
<p>''He won't be back any time soon, certainly, you know we're hopeful to get him back as soon as possible, but we want to make sure when we do it's for good,'' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of the timetable for Kemba Walker to make his season debut as he recovers from a knee injury that required a stem cell injection in October.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Celtics: After two games in three days in Indianapolis, Boston returns home to host Memphis on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Pacers: Host Cleveland on Thursday.</p>
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Tatum helps Celtics rally to beat Pacers 116-111

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens suspected history was repeating itself for the second time in three nights in his hometown. His team was ''knocked all over the place'' by the phys…

31 Dec 2020