While it’s all in the rearview mirror now, indulge me as I look back at the most significant sports stories in 2017 and, for one last time, attempt to make some sense out of them as I offer my opinion and quote some sources along the way.
There can be no question about the biggest sports story of the year, and it’s not gone away by any stretch of the imagination. Throughout this past NFL season, numerous NFL players knelt during the playing of the national anthem to draw attention to the rampant social injustices in America. Opposition to this came from the White House, some NFL owners and some of those who spend millions annually to sponsor NFL broadcasts. Colin Kaepernick filed a collusion claim against the NFL for what appears to be a case of blackballing him from playing again. This matter is far from over and will be relevant when the 2018 season begins.
On the field, Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a comeback victory in the Super Bowl, which for the first time in history was decided in an overtime period. In the college ranks, Clemson, by virtue of a last-second comeback of their own, defeated Alabama in the college football championship game.
The Houston Astros won their first World Series when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. The victory gave flood-ravaged Houston something to cheer about as the painful cleanup and rebuilding of their community continued.
American soccer fans were disappointed when the United States soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Italy joined them as a non-qualifier, as well.
Takuma Sato won his first Indianapolis 500 in dramatic fashion, and American Josef Newgarden won the IndyCar Series crown in his first season driving for Team Penske. Martin Truex Jr. edged out Kyle Busch for the NASCAR crown, winning the most races during the season in the process. Lewis Hamilton captured the Formula One crown.
The Golden State Warriors, fueled by the offseason signing of superstar Kevin Durant, defeated LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA Championship. Russell Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to average a triple-double and was awarded the NBA MVP award. The University of North Carolina defeated Gonzaga to win the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
Locally, Indiana University jettisoned Tom Crean after the board of trustees — led by auto magnate Andy Mohr and Pacers executive Jim Morris — convinced IU President Michael McRobbie that Crean needed to be fired. IU athletic director Fred Glass, who was told to fire Crean or look for another job if he didn’t replace him, chose Dayton’s Archie Miller as their new men’s basketball coach. Indiana’s top two players declared themselves eligible for the NBA draft, leaving the cupboard a bit bare for Miller in his first season.
Purdue University hired Jeff Brohm as their new football coach, and he promptly led them to a winning season and a bowl game victory.
Paul George informed the Pacers he wouldn’t be re-signing with them, prompting the team to trade him to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Pacers claimed that George blindsided them, but in reality, the writing was on the wall for some time, and the situation was completely mishandled by outgoing President Larry Bird.
The Indianapolis Colts missed the playoffs for the third straight season, prompting the dismissal of head coach Chuck Pagano. The Colts were doomed from training camp with an anemic roster and the injury to Andrew Luck, which became a soap opera itself and a public relations nightmare for the franchise. Luck’s health remains in question, and the franchise is in a state of flux accordingly.
In high school hoops, Ben Davis, Crispus Attucks and Tindley all distinguished themselves as champions in the state tournament. Ben Davis took home the football crown as well, for the ninth time in school history.
Danny Bridges, who appreciated all the emails and phone calls from readers who questioned his sanity in 2017, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
