Favorite Moments in Professional Sports

“A recent favorite moment was the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. Tua Tagovailoa from the University of Alabama subbed in for quarterback in the second half as a freshman. The moment when he threw the game-winning 41-yard touchdown in overtime was just crazy. I remember sitting on my couch and thinking ‘What the hell just happened?’” —Aki Yamaguchi, junior

“My favorite recent moment in sports was when the Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors four games to two for the NBA Championship. It was so satisfying to see a team that had choked in the playoffs for years finally break past their limitations and defeat one of the best teams in basketball history. The victory is an incredible display of teamwork and truly shows where keeping your head up gets you.” —Rudolph Merlin, junior

“My favorite moment in all of professional sports was the New York Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl journey. The Giants came from behind in nearly every game during the regular season, destroyed the Atlanta Falcons at home, ended Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau, grinded out an incredible game against San Francisco 49ers, and finally took down the juggernaut, the New England Patriots. The personalities on that team, such as Michael Boley, Victor Cruz, and Brandon Jacobs, were all fan favorites and made you love the team even more. I will never forget my Giants taking down Tom Brady and his Patriots for the second time.” —Philip Von Mueffling, sophomore

“My favorite professional sports moment was Didi Gregorius’s three-run home run in the 2017 Wild Card Game. I was lucky enough to be able to watch the game in person. A tough first inning had Luis Severino pulled out of the game early after allowing three runs, and the stadium seemed dead. After years of limited success, the crowd was ready to explode. Once Didi hit the home run, the stadium went crazy. It was the loudest atmosphere I have ever been a part of, and the win started an unexpected run to Game 7 of the ALCS in those playoffs.” —Ethan Kirschner, sophomore

“My favorite moment in professional sports was when I watched the Hoka One One Long Island Mile with some friends. During this day-long event, many different competitors engage in a one-mile race on a high school track. As the day progresses, the athletes get faster and faster. The last two races of the day are the professional women’s and men’s miles. We were excited to watch the women’s race and as they started, the cheering grew louder and louder. By the time the men’s race started, it had started pouring, but nobody cared. During the final lap, everyone closed in on the track, leaving only a few lanes empty for the competitors. It was crazy and wild, and we were soaking wet. It was one of the most incredible races I’ve ever watched.” —Julianne Yotov, junior

“My favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, were playing the New Orleans Saints with Nick Foles as the Eagles’ quarterback in 2014. While the Eagles were leading the game in the last two minutes, they ended up losing on a game-winning field goal due to a beautiful drive by NFL legend, Drew Brees. I went into my room, cried for 10 minutes, and broke my finger when I punched the wall. That low of lows provided an opening for the highest of highs, though. Not much later, the Eagles were winning with two minutes left in Super Bowl LII. The flashbacks were coming at me viciously as they were both in a playoff atmosphere—two minutes left, with Nick Foles at quarterback. However, Brandon Graham stepped up with the biggest defensive play in the history of the Eagles, as he came around the edge with elite speed and quickness, with an eventual strip-sack on the GOAT, Tom Brady. My friends and family in my living room were screaming so loud that the people on the street heard us. After that game, my dad and I went to the parade that capped off that beautiful game and season.” —Ben Hamel, sophomore