Top Sports Moments of 2015

The world of sports has had many memorable moments in 2015. (American Pharoah photo by Eclipse Sportswire, other photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
It’s that time of year again ... when the focus turns from turkey hangovers to holiday shopping lists and soon-to-be-made and often short-lived New Year’s resolutions.
It’s also on this occasion that we fondly look back upon the year that was and reflect upon the unique, memorable and inspirational sporting moments that made us smile, jump and scream with unabashed joy or shed a tear in gratitude and blessing. Here are six of the many indelible sporting moments of 2015:
6. New England Patriots pick Seattle’s pocket in Super Bowl XLIX
With second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, 26 seconds left in the game and Skittles-eating Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, the Seattle Seahawks seemed on the verge of capturing their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Foregoing the obvious run play, Seattle opted instead to pass. Russell Wilson took a quick two-step drop and threw an inside slant. The pass was intercepted by New England Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler, earning the New England Patriots their fourth Lombardi Trophy and sending Seattle home speechless.

Video courtesy of Colin Fitzgerald
5. Stephen Curry leads Golden State Warriors to the NBA Championship
It was all set for the Hollywood ending to the NBA season. LeBron James had come home to Cleveland on a mission to win a championship for a city in dire need of one. However, undersized sharpshooter Steph Curry and his talented teammates had other ideas. The NBA MVP Stephen Curry dropped 25 on the Cavs to help the Warriors clinch the title in Cleveland.

Video courtesy of NBA
4. Steve Gleason’s inspirational battle against ALS #NoWhiteFlags
Former New Orleans Saints special teams star Steve Gleason is a cult hero in Louisiana for his blocked punt against the rival Atlanta Falcons in the first game back in the New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, and has been battling ALS since his diagnosis in 2011. A feature-length documentary film directed by Clay Tweel about Gleason was accepted into the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Steve’s famous blocked punt:

Video courtesy of SYKESVISION
Universal praise has rightfully been bestowed upon Gleason for leveraging his inspirational battle to immensely raise awareness and funding for ALS research. Bravo Steve!
On the 10th anniversary of Katrina this past August, Steve penned this love letter to the city of New Orleans which appeared on ESPN:

Video courtesy of NFL
3. Lauren Hill wins the “Best Moment” ESPY Award
Just three months after 19-year-old basketball player Lauren Hill died from a brain tumor, her parents accepted the “Best Moment” ESPY Award on their daughter’s behalf. Lauren’s dream was to play college basketball and in 2013 committed to play at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati but soon learned she had an inoperable brain tumor. Lauren’s mom, Lisa, gave a stirring speech and delivered a powerful message when accepting the award: “It is possible to achieve your dreams.”

Video courtesy of THE ESPYS
2. Carli Lloyd scores a hat trick to lead Team USA to the Women’s World Cup title
In a matter of 16 minutes, Carli Lloyd scored three goals on her first three shots in the Women’s World Cup Finals to lead Team USA to a 5-2 championship victory over Japan, giving the U.S. the sport’s most important trophy for the first time since 1999. Lloyd was also awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
LLOYD'S HAT TRICK

Video courtesy of Zico7
LLOYD CHATS AFTER WINNING SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

1. American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown
It hadn’t been accomplished since 1978 and many were beginning to wonder if it would ever be done again. Then along came American Pharoah with a courageous victory in the Kentucky Derby, a romp in the rain in the Preakness and a scintillating score in the Belmont Stakes to capture horse racing’s coveted Triple Crown.
A PHAROAH TALE ENDING

Thankfully, to the delight of horse racing fans worldwide, the ride didn’t stop there. Owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Bob Baffert elected to continue the horse’s campaign through the summer in the Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park and in the Travers Stakes at historic Saratoga Race Course. American Pharoah topped off his year by becoming the first horse to win racing’s “Grand Slam” when he captured the richest horse race held on American soil, the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
ONE FOR THE AGES: BREEDERS' CUP 2015

What’s left for American Pharoah, now retired to stud? He’s a leading candidate for Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year Award and also happens to be nominated for the TIME Person of the Year.
What were your favorite or most memorable sporting moments of 2015?