Best Trending Sports Moments of 2014
A look back at some unforgettable highlights of the year.
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Sports Moments That Trended in 2014 - Superstars such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Derek Jeter participating in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Paul George gruesomely breaking his leg and Odell Beckham Jr.’s one-handed miracle catch. Yes, 2014 had its fair share of sports moments that went viral and had the Internet going nuts. From mind-bending highlights to touching stories, sound bites and parodies, BET.com lists the year’s top trending sports moments. Lots of web views, guaranteed.(Photos from left: Lebron James via Instagram, Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton/AP Photo, Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Paul George Gruesomely Breaks Leg - Many sports fans learned of Paul George freakishly breaking his leg this summer before actually seeing the clip. Then, the actual clip turned heads as it was horrifically not for the weak at heart. George suffered the gruesome compound leg fracture while contesting a James Harden layup. Painful to watch…perhaps especially for fellow NBA ballers. Everyone from LeBron James to Kevin Durant and Roy Hibbert weighed in on the ugly injury. Damn. (Photo: Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton/AP Photo)
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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Takes Over Sports World - It seemed like everyone was down for the cause to spread awareness and support research for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease via the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Everyone from Michael Jordan to LeBron James, Dez Bryant and Derek Jeter took part in the ice-cold splash as part of the viral sensation. Each celebrity was said to donate $10,000 with each ice-bucket dousing before challenging a friend to accept the challenge in 24 hours or less. Bigger than sports and all for a vital cause — Can’t beat that.(Photos from left: Kevin Durant via Instagram, MLB Cut 4, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge via YouTube.com)
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Odell Beckham's Godly Catch - Calling the Sunday Night Football game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys on November 23, NBC’s Cris Collinsworth described rookie Odell Beckham Jr.’s godly, one-handed touchdown grab as “absolutely impossible what he just did” and “that may be the greatest catch I’ve ever seen in my life.” We concur. What followed was a social media overload of comments and memes by the masses. Unbelievable play. (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Luis Suarez Bites Opponent During World Cup - Uruguay soccer star Luis Suarez literally took a bite out of Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder during their World Cup match this past summer, shocking the global sports audience and World Wide Web alike. FIFA responded by banning Suarez for four months. Bite on that, Luis!(Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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Lance Stephenson Blows in LeBron James's Ear - It happened May 28 during Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. In between plays with the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, Lance Stephenson blew in LeBron James’s ear, clearly trying to antagonize the four-time league MVP. King James laughed off “Born Ready’s” air and the Internet proceeded to go Photoshop crazy, using the shot of Stephenson and sticking it in any and every picture. Insanity.(Photo: Courtesy ESPN)
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Kevin Durant's 'You the Real MVP' Speech - As emotional as it gets, Kevin Durant delivered a heartfelt speech for the ages in accepting the 2013-14 NBA MVP award on May 8. A teary-eyed KD thanked the entire Oklahoma City Thunder organization, his teammates and, most importantly, his mother, who was in attendance. "You the real MVP," Durant said. (Photo: EPA/LARRY W. SMITH/LANDOV)
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Richard Sherman’s Epic Rant - Immediately after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game on January 19, Richard Sherman ripped into Michael Crabtree with as epic a sports rant as fans have ever seen. "I'm the best corner in the game," Sherman yelled on the field after the game. "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you going to get." Volume on max, but Sherman backed up his talk with his play.(Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Craig Sager's Son Interviews Gregg Popovich - Craig Sager has been a fixture in NBA games as a sideline reporter for TNT for years. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has always had a hilarious rapport with Sager, known for his gaudy attire. But when Craig was struck with leukemia, Sager Jr. filled in for his dad for TNT during the NBA playoffs. On April 10, Sager Jr. interviewed Pop, who traded his usual sarcasm with a heartfelt message to Sager. “Great job, great questions from Craig Jr.,” Pop said live on the air. “You did a great job, but I’d rather have your dad standing here. We miss you, you’ve been an important part of all of us for a long time, doing a great job. We want your fanny back on the court and I promise I’ll be nice.” The video garnered upwards of 500,000 views online. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Blake Griffin as Drake at ESPYs - Blake Griffin as Drake and Drizzy as Blake Griff…it was the highlight parody of the 2014 ESPYs. We knew Drake had an acting background, but Griffin seized the moment to show his own acting chops. Not a bad job for the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star power forward.(Photo: ESPN via Twitter)
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