Sometimes sports really do have a way of tugging at our heartstrings – and 2024. had more than its share of special moments.
in baseball Freddie FreemanWorld Series MVPreturned to the Los Angeles Dodgers to a standing ovation after leaving the team to care for his son in the intensive care unit while the New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea played one of the best games of his career just hours after learning of his aunt’s death.
Meanwhile in basketball, a broadcast legend Dick Vitale received great news about his health and LeBron and Bronnie James made NBA history.
In Paris, 2024 Summer Olympics caused tears on and off the field starting with Celine Dionthe triumphant return of performance at a moment it left Kelly Clarkson without words.
The biggest names in sports were honored at the 2024 ESPY Awards. and some were lucky enough to take home the coveted silver statuette. The ESPYs, which stands for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, kicked off Thursday, July 11, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Serena Williams hosted the evening. Before (…)
As the calendar flips to 2025, here are the sporting moments that transcended the box score and left us all wanting more.
NHL honors the late Johnny Gaudreau
NHL left wing Johnny Gaudreau was set to enter his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2024-25 before he and his brother, Matthewwere killed by a driver while riding their bikes. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29.
The two were in New Jersey to celebrate their sister KatieJohnny’s wedding and while the news was not public at the time, Johnny’s wife, Meredithwas pregnant with the couple’s third child. (She gave birth in December.) They also share daughter Noah, now 2, and son Johnny, now 9 months.
Johnny’s unexpected death shook the hockey community, leading to an outpouring of support, especially from his former teams, the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. Both honored him as their seasons began.
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram The family of the late Johnny Gaudreau made an emotional return to the city where he earned the nickname “Johnny Hockey.” Johnny played the first nine seasons of his NHL career as a member of the Calgary Flames. On Tuesday, December 3, the Columbus Blue Jackets — the team that Johnny was (…)
In addition to team tributes and arena vigils, more than a dozen Columbus players attended Noah’s birthday.
The entire Gaudreau family also returned to Calgary, where Johnny played nine seasons, on Dec. 3 when the team released a video tribute to their former player before the game.
Freddie Freeman cries after Dodgers honor his son
Dodgers first baseman Freeman missed two weeks of regular season action while his 3-year-old son Maximus spent eight days in the intensive care unit battling Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.
With Max at home recovering, Freddie returned to work on August 5 in a home game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Dodgers fans gave him a standing ovation when he took the stage for the first time. Weeks later, Max attended his first game since being hospitalized as Freddie’s teammates wore #MAXSTRONG t-shirts in his honor.
“It was an amazing night,” Freddy said after the game.
Courtesy of Chelsea Freeman/Instagram Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Freddie Freeman made sure his team’s World Series parade was a family affair. On Friday, Nov. 1, the MLB player joined his wife, Chelsea Freeman, and their three sons, Charlie, 8, Brandon, 3, and Maximus, 3, for an unforgettable celebration. “Thank you from the bottom (…)
Cowboy cheerleader dances without a wig after being diagnosed with alopecia
Armani Latimer took the field at AT&T Stadium for Monday Night Football on November 9th without a wig after revealing her alopecia diagnosis on Netflix America’s Favorites: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Latimer was diagnosed at age 12 and used to perform in a wig, but explained that she now feels motivated to take it off.
“I think if I can overcome my negative self-talk and self-defeating thinking, I can help change the experience for the next 12-year-old who is diagnosed,” she said. “She can start treatment early instead of waiting until she’s 23 like me. There is so much societal pressure that comes with being a woman – we don’t need any more.
“We can be empowered by so many things and you don’t need your hair to feel that,” she added.
Dick Vitale is cancer free
Vitale, an ESPN college basketball analyst, is known for two things: his undying enthusiasm for hoops and his work raising money for cancer research. He has been dealing with several battles of his own with cancer, but announced on December 12 that he is now cancer free.
“Santa came early when Dr. Rick Brown called and said my 7am PET SCAN came back CLEAR OF CANCER!” Vitale wrote. “Oh, thank you ALL so much for your (prayers.) Yeah, I’m cutting down the nets, baby, it’s my national championship!”
Several celebrities came out to the game to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees compete in the 2024 World Series. The two teams have a long history in the MLB Championship Series, having faced each other 11 times since 1941. this way. This year’s 12th match marks (…)
Fittingly, his announcement came two days after the Jimmy V Classic, the annual men’s back-to-back basketball contest at Madison Square Garden, benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Vitale was close friends with Valvano, even introducing him before his legendary 1993 ESPYS speech. of the late NC State coach.
Celine Dion is participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Dion went public for the first time since being diagnosed with Stiff Face Syndrome on the biggest stage imaginable, closing the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Performing at the base of the Eiffel Tower, Dion sang in French, performing Edith Piaf“The Anthem of Love.”
The song moved Clarkson, NBC’s Olympic correspondent, to tears.
“I can’t really talk,” Clarkson managed to say while co-hosting Mike Tirico and Peyton Manning also shared their amazement.
Diana Taurasi’s father
Taurasi’s parents, Mario and Lilianawere on the court as perhaps the greatest women’s basketball player ever, winning her sixth Olympic gold medal. Mario, a former professional footballer himself, was seen wiping away tears following Team USA’s 67-66 win over France in the gold medal game.
Competing in her final Olympics, Diana kissed her father on the forehead after the game as the family posed for pictures together.
The 2024 Summer Olympics may take place in the City of Light, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come with their fair share of darkness. After the glittering opening ceremony on Friday 26 July, which continues to provoke outrage from some celebrities and religious figures, the Games have been hit by accusations of sexism (…)
Brony and LeBron James get dressed
Broney’s unconventional path to the NBA included a healthy scare before his only collegiate season at USC and controversy as he declared for the NBA Draft despite a down season. Designed by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, Bronny played with his father, LeBron, for the first time on October 23.
They became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game, instantly putting critics to rest as the two shared the court together.
“That moment when we were together at the scorer’s table and we checked in together, something I’ll never forget,” LeBron said after the game. “No matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade as I get older or whatever, I will never forget that moment.”
Sean Manaea dedicates the game to his late aunt
Manaea had the game of his life in the New York Mets’ 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on October 8 in Game 3 of the 2024 National League Division Series. just hours after learning his Aunt Mabel had died.
Manaea entered the eighth inning that night, allowing one run on three hits. When Mets manager Carlos Mendoza pulled him from the game, Fox cameras caught Manaea blowing a kiss to the sky.
“That was for my aunt,” he explained after the game. “I just got word that she passed away early this morning. This game was for her.
yHe continued: “Everyone at home, I love you so much. I know what’s going on is hard, but we’ll get through it. I love you guys.”
