2016: The Year of Champions

    We are now within hours of welcoming in the new year. As usual at this time of year, these are the days that we review what kind of year 2016 was. So, what kind of year was it? That depends on who you ask.

    As a whole, most would say that 2016 was a tough year. Mass shootings, issues with police, a record number of celebrity deaths, and a presidential race with no desirable outcomes, have many counting the hours until this year is behind us.

    Does it make sense to blame a year? Not really. Is putting a 7 instead of a 6 on your check' date line going to make everything better? I doubt it. But 2016 was a hard year for many, regardless. That being said, why do we love sports? I can tell you why I love them. Sports are fun. Watching sports, playing sports, following sports transports us to another world for awhile. Sports provide an escape from life, if only temporarily. Forgetting about the bills you have to pay, the job that may not love, or the heartache you may have suffered, and enjoying the unity and joy of sport, that's why they exist.

    While 2016 may seem like one of the worst years in your memory, as far as the sports world is concerned, view it as one of the best. Sometimes, the harder life gets, the more important cheering for our favorite sports teams or stories can become. So doesn't it seem appropriate that this year in sports came along when we needed it most? Take the next few minutes and come with me as we have a 2016 Sports Year in Review, and see why 2016 will go down as one of the greatest years in sports ever.

Sheriff's Last Ride- Super Bowl 50

Manning walked away a champion in 2016

    When Peyton Manning was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2012 after 13 record-breaking years with the Indianapolis Colts, the question was not if, but when, the man known as "The Sheriff" would bring a Super Bowl title back to the franchise. It may have taken a few years and one more neck surgery, but after a 2013 campaign where Manning broke the NFL record with 55 passing touchdowns, Denver fans knew it would come soon. After an injury-plagued 2015 regular season that saw Manning have statistically the worst season of his career, before being benched for Brock Osweiler, the Broncos still managed to get into the playoffs, where Manning was controversially re-inserted as the team's signal caller. After getting through the AFC Playoffs, the Broncos met the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Denver's defense, and Peyton's best game of the season gave the Broncos the win and gave Peyton his 2nd Super Bowl trophy. Manning also became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. With his retirement still in question during the season, we weren't certain that we had seen the last on Peyton Manning, but anyone who had watched the postseason, could see that with each passing week, it became more and more apparent that Manning was done. That Super Bowl was his final game, and he went out a champion.

Kobe Drops 60/Warriors Win 73
    April 13, 2016 was a historic night for the NBA. At Staples Center in Los Angeles, 20-year NBA veteran Kobe Bryant was playing his final game for the Lakers against the Utah Jazz. At the exact same time, 371 miles away in Oakland, the Golden State Warriors were trying to break a record previously thought to be unbreakable, by winning their 73 game of the season. On the last night of the regular season, in the same time slot, on two different networks, a historic night was just beginning.

Bryant scored 60 in final game on April 13

    In Oakland, the Warriors were in full control from start to finish against the Memphis Grizzlies, winning the game easily, 125-104. The Warriors won the 73 game, finishing the regular season 73-9, the best record in NBA history. At Staples Center, 37 year old Kobe Bryant played 42 minutes, the most of his farewell season. A player who, throughout his career was seen as a bit of a ball hog, couldn't get rid of the ball on this night, even when he tried. Everyone in the building knew this was Bryant's last game, and the Lakers were well out of playoff contention, so this night was all about Kobe. His teammates forced him to shoot the ball, which he did 50 times. With great volume, came great points. Kobe made 22 of his 50 shots and finished his final game with a remarkable 60 points, including leading a big comeback for the Lakers and winning his final game 101-96. Whether you were rooting for these two events or not, the final night of the NBA season gave us something very special.

Cleveland Rocks
    Long seen as a city of suffering as far as sports teams were concerned, Cleveland sports had not won a major sports championship since 1964. But 2016 was the year of Cleveland sports. LeBron James took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. The Cavs won the championship, ending the 52-year drought for the city, and bringing the franchise it's first title in franchise history. James, born in Akron, Ohio, was overcome with emotion after the win. Bringing a title to his home state was his top priority throughout his career, and 13 years later, his mission was accomplished.

The Cavs celebrate a big year for their city
at Indians World Series game

    The city of Cleveland was satisfied. They had their championship. Then came the home stretch of baseball season. The Cleveland Indians had been one of the best teams in the league all season, but it seemed that the Cavs title energized them even more. The Indians reached the postseason, and won their first six games. They eventually reached the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Indians hadn't won a World Series since 1948, and hadn't reached one since 1997. Their opponent, the Cubs, hadn't won a World Series since 1908, and hadn't been to one since 1945. That made this World Series matchup one that was between the two teams with the longest droughts in baseball. After 7 incredible games, the Indians lost to the Cubs, in what many will call the greatest World Series of all time. Despite the loss, being that close to two titles in one year definitely gives Cleveland something to smile about heading into 2017.

The Curse Is Broken

The Cubs were a global phenomenon in 2016
winning their first title in 108 years

    As tragic as the sports history of Cleveland, Ohio is, there is no question that the sports franchise with the most heartache is the Chicago Cubs. Not having won a championship since 1908, and not even getting to one since 1945 was tough to stomach. The Cubs went through years of pain, curses, waiting, and losses that would make a grown man weep. Despite all of this, when the Cubs hired GM Theo Epstein in 2011, Cubs fans knew their time was coming. Epstein was the same man who engineered the Boston Red Sox team that won the 2004 World Series, ending that franchise's 86-year World Series drought. Epstein even brought a second title to Boston in 2007.

    The Cubs had good reason to believe in Epstein. When he was hired, Epstein told fans that he had a 5-year plan to bring Chicago a championship...and he executed that plan perfectly. Five years later, the Lovable Losers found themselves with the best record in Major League Baseball, and heading to the World Series. In the World Series, the Cubs found themselves in a 3-1 series hole, and it looked like the Cubs would have to wait yet another year. Then, the young team came to life, won the next two and forced a Game 7. In what was potential the greatest World Series game of all-time, the Cubs defeated the Indians 8-7 and won their first championship in 108 years. The wait was over, the Cubs were champions, and the Lovable Losers were no more. November 2, 2016 is a night that no baseball fan will ever forget.

It's Time For Dodger Baseball

Vin Scully was Dodgers broadcaster from 1950-2016

    For 67 years, in the ever-changing game of baseball, there was one constant for the Los Angeles Dodgers: Vin Scully. Since 1950, Vin Scully was the voice of Dodger baseball. His one of a kind voice and storytelling ability made him a giant in the industry. Scully made baseball about more than just baseball. From Greek mythology, bottle throwing contests, if there was a story to be told that could be tied into the game, Vin told it with ease and charm, and never missed a beat. In a world of farewell tours, Vin Scully isone man that I was glad announced his last season in advance, giving both Dodger fans and fans of his the opportunity to hear him call games one last time. On a personal note, Vin Scully is a huge reason why I am writing this, and why I make a career out of talking about sports. He is the greatest of all-time. In his farewell address following his final broadcast, he thanked the fans and said, "I needed you way more than you needed me..." No Vin, you have no idea how much baseball fans, aspiring broadcasters, and the game of baseball, needed you. There are no words. Thank you Vin.

    Those were just some highlights from an incredible year in sports. Let's not forget about the retirement of great athletes like Tim Duncan, Marshawn Lynch, and Calvin Johnson. Let's always remember the sports legends we lost this year: Pat Summitt, Gordy Howe, Muhammed Ali, Craig Sager, and a special mention to Jose Fernandez. And who could forget one of the craziest NCAA Tournaments we've seen ending in a buzzer-beater. For all the moments, I neglected to mention, thanks for being a part of one of the greatest sports years in history.

    As 2016 winds down, after a year where it seemed like everyone just needed a break, sports was there. In a year when we needed the escape of sports a little more, the sports world did not disappoint. So long 2016! I'm not sure how 2017 could top it, but I look forward to the effort. What a year! Happy New Year sports fans!

Cam Newton: Return to Sender

    "T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse." Actually, no there was a creature stirring, but it wasn't a mouse...it was a panther, a Carolina Panther to be exact. Panthers QB Cam Newton has been stirring all season long, and it may be time for head coach Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers organization to find the receipt and return the gift that was Cam Newton.

     The Panthers have had an down season since the opening kick. Sure, they fought a good fight against their Super Bowl opponents, the Denver Broncos, only losing by a point in Week 1, and put up 46 points on an abysmal 49ers team in Week 2, but make no mistake, oh how the mighty have fallen. They Panthers have fallen so far, in fact, that they were out of the playoff hunt weeks ago, and aren't even favored in a Week 17 matchup against the Buccaneers, a team who, a year ago, was the basement dweller in the weakest division in football, with the exception of the 15-1 Carolina Panthers. But a lot can change in a year.

    Don't let the blame fall on the head coach for this one, no. Ron Rivera is the reigning Coach of the Year for a reason. The man knows what he's doing. The problem, as I alluded to in the opening paragraph is Cam Newton. Sure, many Carolina Panthers players have underachieved this year, but look no further than their ring leader for your answer.

Newton after Super Bowl 50 loss

    Cam's problems really started last year, in Super Bowl 50. Cam had his worst game of the season in the season's biggest game. Understandably Newton was frustrated when, late in the game, he was stripped of the ball by Von Miller, which lead directly to the Broncos touchdown that would seal the game for Denver. It was a rough day for Cam and the Panthers, one I'm sure he'd rather forget, but during the course of that forgettable day, Newton threw not one, but multiple tantrums on the field. Then, in a post-game press conference, he memorably walked out in the middle of it because he could hear a Broncos talking about him in his press conference next door.

    And those are the memories we had of Cam Newton coming into the season opener against the Denver Broncos once again. And if we didn't forget his actions, you can bet Denver didn't either. Cam Newton got hit hard that night. Some hits were legal, and some were not...and even fewer were called. After the game, which the Panthers also lost, the real trouble began. Cam complained in a press conference about being hit too hard, not having fun, and being scared to go out there again. Six years into his NFL career, a franchise quarterback looked and sounded like he never wanted to play another down of football again. That's bound to be a morale killer for your franchise. On top of that, defenses, see it as a sign of vulnerability, and they took advantage, hitting Newton even harder in future games.

    To be fair, after being hit as hard as Newton was the first few weeks of the season, it would be normal to be a little nervous, but as the franchise quarterback of the defending NFC champions, don't admit it in a press conference and say you don't want to be out there...with your teammates. As a result, Cam's mechanics got sloppy, and the team suffered, starting the year 1-5.

    Despite all of this, even though Cam Newton is having statically the worst year of his career, with career lows in every major category, the on-the-field stuff is not the reason that I think the Panthers should dump-yes, dump-Cam Newton. That reason is this:

Newton and head coach Ron Rivera

    Prior to a Week 13 matchup against the Seahawks in Seattle, Cam Newton realized that he hadn't packed a tie in his luggage. League dress code dictates that he wear a tie prior to the game. Knowing this, Newton told Ron Rivera that he didn't have a tie, and Rivera told him that if he didn't wear one, he would be benched for the first series against Seattle. Cam chose not to wear a tie and was benched for the first series of what turned out to be a 40-7 drubbing at the hands of the Seahawks. Now, I'm sure that one series would not have made a difference of what was a 33-point beating, but it's the principal of the thing. Cam Newton didn't pack a tie in his luggage. Okay? He was in Seattle. I'm sure that the Starbucks capital of the world had at least on place where the millionaire quarterback could have purchased a tie. He chose not to. His pride got in the way, and he put himself and his fashion choices ahead of his coach and his teammates.

    That, in my opinion, should be the last straw for the QB formally known as "Superman". Cam Newton has become a liability, a nuisance, a punching back, and most of all, a lousy quarterback with a defeatist attitude. His last infraction shows that he's not only not there for his teammates, but that he doesn't respect the authority of his head coach, who by the way, is one of the best in the league.

    It may be time for the Carolina Panthers organization move on from Cam Newton. He has chosen not to stand with them, so I can't imagine they'll stand with him much longer. If he's scared, if he no longer wants to play the game of football after six years, find someone who does. If given a choice of stocking stuffers between a lump of coal and Cam Newton...the choice is becoming a lot closer than it should.