Max: The 14 Most Intriguing Sports Stories Of 2014
By Jared Max
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Here is my list of the top 14 most intriguing sports stories of 2014.
Listen to the following audio for more on each:
Jared Max's 14 Most Intriguing Sports Stories of 2014
14. The New Jersey Devils fired their head coach and replaced him with THREE coaches.
13. The NFL's public relations nightmarish year wasn't only about domestic violence -- but concussion awareness and a $765 million settlement with retired players.
MORE: The Top 14 Sports Stories Of 2014
12. Thirteen-year old Mo'ne Davis, who made non-sports fans interested in the Little League World Series -- the first girl to pitch a complete-game shutout in the LLWS and first little leaguer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated before being named AP Female Athlete of the Year.
11. The improbable run of the Kansas City Royals, who made their first playoff appearance in 29 years, winning eight straight games to open the postseason before losing the World Series in seven games to the Giants.
10. No. 13 on the Giants, rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who conjured the excitement of Linsanity. Beckham single-handedly gave Giants fans reason to watch every game, providing great hope for next year and beyond.
9. SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam became the first openly gay player drafted in the NFL, only to be cut by the Rams despite three sacks in the preseason. Later cut by the Cowboys practice squad, Sam told Oprah Winfrey that gay NFL players have called him to offer their gratitude for his courage, saying they wish they had the courage to come out.
8. Dollar for dollar, the worst team that money could buy -- the New York Knicks. After luring Phil Jackson from retirement and Derek Fisher from the playing court, then re-signing Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have been a square peg in the triangle offense, opening their worst season in team history, losing 28 of their first 33 games.
7. Legalized sports gambling being pushed for by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
6. The power of damning audio and video. Donald Sterling's legacy was turned upside down as a result of a secretly recorded conversation that painted him as a raging racist. If not for elevator security camera footage, the NFL would still treat domestic violence like an injury report -- just another line in the sports transaction column.
5. The Washington Redskins nickname.
4. LeBron James returned to his native Ohio to play for the Cavaliers.
3. Tony Stewart contributed in great part to the death of 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward Jr. But Stewart was not charged with a crime.
2. Derek Jeter went out in truly Jeterian fashion. I asked him, "What is 'My Way' to Derek Jeter?"
1. Domestic violence. Ray Rice. Adrian Peterson. The vilification of Roger Goodell.
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