Simply while you thought you had seen all of it on this planet of sports activities, 2023 occurred. Within the final 12 months, we have witnessed the signing of a mammoth file contract in Main League Baseball, an unbreakable file fall within the NBA, individuals raging at — and due to — soccer in america, numerous dramas play out throughout the faculty sports activities panorama, issues about the way forward for an American sports activities league … {and professional} soccer develop into the second-biggest headline throughout an NFL recreation. Right here, on your consideration, are CBS Sports activities’ prime 23 headline-making moments of 2023.
1. The Kelces go mainstream
Star tight finish Travis Kelce joked about courting Taylor Swift, however as soon as the pop icon really set foot on Kansas Metropolis’s stomping grounds — not for a live performance — however to look at Kelce and the Chiefs play soccer, social media went abuzz with tinheritor rumored, and later confirmed, relationship. The Grammy winner is now an everyday at Chiefs’ contests, cheering on her big-name beau, all of which helped gasoline the whole lot from Kelce’s jersey gross sales to the Swifties newfound love of all issues KC Chiefs to the listenership of the New Heights podcast co-hosted by Kelce and older brother Jason, middle for the Philadelphia Eagles … And, oh yeah, the Chiefs received the Tremendous Bowl (by defeating the aforementioned Eagles in comeback trend) whereas quarterback Patrick Mahomes picked up the second championship MVP award of his younger profession.
2. The 12 months of Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani started 2023 by placing out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to win the World Baseball Basic for Group Japan in March and ended it by inking a $700-million take care of the Dodgers in December. In between, the two-way celebrity placed on a present, pitching 132 innings and socking 44 dwelling runs earlier than being shut right down to bear elbow surgical procedure. All of that added as much as one other unanimous MVP award within the American League, his second in three years. Beneath regular circumstances, this might depend as a profession 12 months, particularly for the reason that surgical procedure will maintain him off the mound in 2024, however nothing about Ohtani has been regular up to now.
3. You possibly can’t see me.
Caitlin Clark and No. 2 Iowa have been all the thrill after she dropped 41 factors in a shocking upset of top-seeded South Carolina of their ladies’s Closing 4 semifinal … and also you would possibly say that Angel Reese and fellow semifinal victor No. 3 LSU took that personally. Two days later, the Tigers crushed the Hawkeyes, 102-85, to win this system’s first nationwide championship. With the sport determined late within the fourth quarter, Reese stared Clark down, pointed to her ring finger and made the “you may’t see me” gesture — one that Clark had done to an opponent one week earlier. Regardless, Reese’s motion, which got here within the most-watched ladies’s faculty basketball recreation ever with almost 10 million viewers, was met with a degree of indignation and vitriol that, at finest, uncovered bias and double-standards as a result of they (presumably) didn’t know or see Clark’s actions. Clark would later defend Reese’s motion, which is now one of the crucial iconic pictures in ladies’s faculty basketball historical past.
4. Deion period opens with a bang
Colorado started the Deion Sanders period as a 21-point underdog on the street in opposition to a TCU staff coming off an look within the School Soccer Playoff title recreation. However behind a 510-yard passing efficiency from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes surprised the Horned Frogs and faculty soccer as a complete. Sanders’ efficiency, which included 4 landing passes, despatched the hype surrounding his father’s teaching tenure into overdrive. Colorado climbed to No. 18 within the AP ballot amid a 3-0 begin earlier than struggling to a 4-8 file in a rugged Pac-12. Nonetheless, Colorado’s begin to the 2023 season constructed a fervor that transcended the conventional parameters of school soccer.
5. Pray for Damar
It a routine sort out on a routine play in a late-season soccer recreation. It will wind up rocking the NFL, all athletes in addition to sports activities followers and non-sports followers alike. After the sort out, Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin stood up, took two steps and collapsed as he went into cardiac arrest. Teammates shaped a wall round him on the sphere as CPR was administered to be able to restore his heartbeat earlier than he was transported to a hospital in Cincinnati. The incident led to the Jan. 2 recreation being suspended, then canceled, and whereas the well being of Hamlin was far and away an important factor, there have been questions on easy methods to proceed with postseason seeding because the eventual division winners Payments and Bengals, together with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs all had pathways to being the convention’s prime seed had that recreation been performed to completion. (One plan even had the AFC title recreation being held within the impartial web site of Atlanta had it been a Payments-Chiefs matchup.) In the meantime, “Pray for Damar” grew to become a rallying cry that unified the sports activities world. By April, Hamlin, said his intent to return to the sport, and he would go on to play within the preseason. On Oct. 1, he played in his first regular season game and he recorded his first sort out on Nov. 13. Stated Hamlin: “To have the ability to nonetheless do what I like on the highest degree on this planet, is wonderful.”
6. Lionel Messi joins MLS
The best of all time, simply months after profitable the 2022 World Cup with Argentina to cement his legacy, departed Paris Saint-Germain after his contract expired and moved to Inter Miami CF of Main League Soccer. There, taking part in within the first-ever version of the Leagues Cup, he elevated the competitors’s significance and guided his membership to its first-ever trophy, scoring in each single one of many video games, producing 10 objectives in seven video games, numerous magical moments and setting off an absolute frenzy within the second-hand ticket and merchandise markets. Messi’s July 21 debut drew an A-list turnout of LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian. Since then, different gamers have adopted Messi to South Florida, together with former Barcelona associate Luis Suarez, with the Herons’ expectations by the roof subsequent season.
7. Aaron Rodgers’ 4 and out
It was a significant offseason commerce that all of us noticed coming, and so simply three days earlier than the NFL Draft, four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers was dealt by the Inexperienced Bay Packers to the New York Jets. After an offseason of anticipation, a summer season spectacle that included being the main focus of HBO’s Exhausting Knocks and lofty Tremendous Bowl goals, the long-suffering Jets devoted have been subjected to much more struggling when Rodgers’ fourth snap with Gang Inexperienced resulted of their star QB happening with a torn Achilles. Rodgers flirted with a historic return from the harm, however his abrupt exit was a surprising approach to open — and, in a way, shut — the Jets’ 2023 season.
8. Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal
Michigan discovered itself embroiled in an NCAA investigation centered round its scouting of future opponents, which is in opposition to NCAA guidelines. It quickly developed right into a full-blown scandal for the Wolverines centered on the actions of workers member Connor Stalions. Among the many allegations in opposition to Stalions have been that he bought tickets to video games involving future Michigan opponents for associates to make use of for the aim of creating intel on the indicators utilized by different groups. He was additionally accused of utilizing false pretenses to make his means on to Central Michigan’s sideline to scout Michigan State. Stalions was fired and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was in the end handed a three-game suspension from the Large Ten. However the controversy did little to derail the Wolverines, who enter the School Soccer Playoff with the highest seed at 13-0.
9. Florida State ignored
The School Soccer Playoff Choice Committee pulled a stunner by leaving 13-0 ACC champion Florida State out of the four-team CFP discipline. The Seminoles have been the primary undefeated Energy 5 staff ever snubbed within the 10 years of the four-team format of the CFP, and the choice sparked outrage amongst FSU’s management. The committee’s rationale for omitting FSU centered round a season-ending harm to start out quarterback Jordan Travis, which diminished the Seminoles’ offensive capability. As a substitute, 12-1 Alabama and 12-1 Texas got slots together with 13-0 Michigan and 13-0 Washington.
10. Disappointment on the World Cup
The U.S. ladies’s nationwide soccer staff’s longstanding reign over the game got here to an finish with a screeching halt in opposition to Sweden within the Spherical of 16 on Aug. 6, when it registered its earliest ever exit from the World Cup. The staff’s signature dominant model by no means confirmed up on the event, which ushered in new eras galore throughout the game. A brand new world order within the ladies’s recreation was confirmed when Spain received its first World Cup, whereas a USWNT rebuild formally started quickly after the event. Out went head coach Vlatko Andonvoski and in got here younger expertise like Jaedyn Shaw and Mia Fishel that would lead a squad refresh. Extra so, coming quickly is Emma Hayes, Andonovski’s successor who will reportedly be the highest-paid coach ladies’s soccer has ever seen … Spain’s win was marred by an incident through the medal ceremony that touched off a “Me Too” second. The then-Spanish federation chief, Luis Rubiales, grabbed the top of Jennifer Hermoso, the staff’s star participant, with two arms and kissed her on the lips. Hermoso stated the kiss was not consensual, which led to requires Rubiales to resign, one thing that he did do about three weeks later.
11. Emotional rollercoaster for the James family
It was fairly a 12 months for arguably essentially the most well-known sports activities household in America. LeBron James (who turned 39 on Dec. 30) handed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring checklist on Feb. 7. Spring noticed a revised Los Angeles Lakers squad make an inconceivable run to the Western Convention finals. In July, after committing to USC, essentially the most well-known incoming freshman in faculty basketball suffered coronary heart failure and needed to be rushed to the hospital. Immediately, the lifetime of LeBron James Jr. modified. He not solely survived, however an optimistic analysis and restoration plan enabled Bronny to make his faculty basketball debut on Dec. 10, the day incomes MVP honors for main the Lakers to victory within the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Event.
12. “Sportswashing”
Saudi Arabia has made no secret of desirous to develop into a significant participant within the international sports activities scene and with billions of {dollars} to shell out, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been intent on doing simply that. Within the final 12 months, Cristiano Ronaldo and different soccer stars have agreed to play in Saudi Arabia for almost $1 billion and golfer Jon Rahm signed a whopping nine-figure deal to shun the PGA Tour and be a part of LIV Golf — a league that would wind up merging with the PGA. Combined martial arts and auto racing are additionally parts of Imaginative and prescient 2030, the prince’s overarching objective of remodeling the dominion away from an oil-based economic system whereas additionally “sportswashing” or softening the picture of nation that has had a well-documented historical past of human rights points.
13. Golden world champion comebacks
It was a triumphant return to the world stage for Simone Biles and Sha’Carri Richardson after each skilled setbacks throughout 2021. Biles, who withdrew from some occasions whereas on the Tokyo Olympic Video games, obtained each reward and scorn from the general public for citing psychological well being issues. However in 2023, Biles grew to become essentially the most adorned gymnast ever as she earned 4 gold medals, together with the all-around on the Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium in October. (She additionally lately made headlines as a result of her husband, Inexperienced Bay Packers security Jonathan Owens, stated he did not know who she was after they met in 2020. And he also said that he’s “the catch” in the relationship. Ouch.) … Richardson, in the meantime, tore up the observe on the World Monitor and Discipline Championships in Hungary in September, profitable gold within the 100m and 4×100 relay, and a bronze within the 200m, main her to say that she has “fallen again in love with my sport” after a optimistic marijuana take a look at through the U.S. trials stored her off the earlier Olympics squad.
14. Dolphins’ swagger is again
If the Dolphins wind up operating the desk they’re going to little question look again on Week 3, when Mike McDaniel’s squad scored extra factors than any staff since 1966. The offensive firestorm all however introduced Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill as MVP candidates. Washington’s NFL file for factors in a recreation nonetheless stands at 72, however with Miami up 70-20 through the recreation’s remaining drive, the Exhausting Rock Stadium devoted started chanting, “Three extra factors! Three extra factors!” … In Week 6, after a 41-yard landing strike, Hill made a bee-line for a photographer standing past the top zone, grabbed a ready mobile phone and recorded himself doing a backflip. The 20-year-old photographer misplaced his job, however Hill has since stated he would change the lacking wages. However placing his cash the place his mouth is has been nothing new for Hill. Through the preseason he stated he may develop into the primary participant in NFL historical past with a 2,000-yard receiving marketing campaign. And it had been trying superb till an ankle harm induced him to overlook a recreation in Week 15. However it should nonetheless be a historic season and, hey, he’ll at all times have that selfie.
15. Wemby arrives in NBA
The wonderful factor concerning the Victor Wembanyama phenomenon is not only the sheer quantity of hype he generated within the first six months of the 12 months — even earlier than he left France to return to america for the NBA Draft. And now, even together with his NBA staff floundering, all of it appears fully justified. The No. 1 choose chosen by the San Antonio Spurs went on to make mere preseason video games must-watch, and he was barely per week into his NBA profession when he dropped 38 factors in a win in opposition to the Suns, after which Kevin Durant stated that he would “create his personal lane, a lot totally different than anyone who’s ever performed.” Though he hasn’t even turned 20 but and is determining who he’s in a less-than-ideal staff context, one factor is obvious: There isn’t any precedent for Wemby.
16. The insanity was actual
Hello, friends! … So who else had a Closing 4 bracket that includes Florida Atlantic, Miami, San Diego State and UConn? March Insanity lived as much as it is billing as SDSU knocked off FAU on the buzzer in a single semifinal, however that was hardly the one shining second within the males’s 2023 event. Purdue with 7-foot-4 nationwide participant of the 12 months Zach Edey grew to become the second No. 1 to lose to a No. 16 in Fairleigh Dickinson College, the smallest staff within the discipline, within the historical past of the occasion. No prime seed even reached the Elite Eight, and no No. 2 or No. 3 reached the Closing 4. It was simply the newest reminder of the unbelievable annual spectacle that’s the NCAA Event.
17. NBA provides an In-Season Event
NBA curiosity in November and December is low amongst informal followers, so any semblance of elevating the stakes for fall ball would add spice to league general. However the competitors degree and real pleasure across the inaugural in-season event was palpable. Scores for video games in the identical time interval went up year-over-year, and the followers purchased in as a result of the gamers purchased in. There have been particular uniforms and distinctive flooring have been used on event nights. The group stage video games have been usually higher than the standard early-season options; knockout contests felt just like the playoffs. And, for higher or for worse, “level differential” entered the NBA lexicon. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had his coming-out celebration as a bonafide celebrity whereas the Los Angeles Lakers received the NBA Cup, and the $500,000 per participant prize that went with it. LeBron James was named MVP, and one thing that could or will not be a banner was raised to the rafters in Los Angeles.
18. Draymond Inexperienced’s antics
It was fairly the tumultuous 12 months for Draymond Inexperienced, who’s at present serving an indefinite suspension for touchdown a roundhouse to an opponent’s jaw, that Inexperienced embarrassingly tried to pawn off as a mere try to promote a foul. This occasion got here lower than a month after the Golden State Warriors ahead put a distinct opposing participant right into a WWE-style chokehold, which he tried to promote as defending his teammate who was in precisely zero hazard. That act value Inexperienced 5 video games, which got here on the literal heel of a chest stomp of one more participant through the opening spherical of the playoffs in April. The Warriors gave Inexperienced a $100 million contract extension this summer season within the hopes that he would, you recognize, really assist them on the courtroom. Now the league has deemed Inexperienced has to assist himself off the courtroom earlier than he may even play once more for a Warriors staff that’s clinging to its final shred of relevancy.
19. Coco Gauff’s run and drama on the US Open
Simply two months faraway from a first-round exit at Wimbledon, Coco Gauff, 19, entered the US Open because the sixth seed with aspirations of profitable her first main on dwelling soil. Gauff labored victory after victory, however in her semifinal match the usually serene tennis crowd grew to become the scene of a worldwide warming protest as a spectator glued his ft to the ground at his seat, delaying the match for near an hour. Unfazed, Gauff went on to win that match and the championship in opposition to second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka to develop into the youngest American to assert the highest prize since Serena Williams did so at 17 in 1999. On the lads’s aspect, Novak Djokovic’s win prolonged his personal file with 24 main singles titles.
20. Who’s your backup QB?
In August, fantasy drafts seemed deep as a bevy of younger QBs on the ascent seemed poised to take the following step — and fantasy soccer gamers have been able to roll as effectively. Then got here the accidents. Week 1, Aaron Rodgers. Week 5, Anthony Richardson. Week 6, Justin Fields. Week 8, Kirk Cousins. Week 9, Daniel Jones. Week 10, Deshaun Watson. Week 11, Joe Burrow. Week 14, Justin Herbert. Week 16, Trevor Lawrence. One after one, the NFL’s greatest stars started dropping like flies, leaving fantasy soccer commissioners scrambling to the waiver wires seeking a brand new discipline basic. By the point the 2023 season involves an in depth, most championship-winning groups will not have a Rodgers or Burrow on the forefront, however somewhat a Nick Mullens or Aidan O’Connell.
21. The return of Brittney Griner
After Brittney Griner’s December 2022 launch following a harrowing 10 months in Russian custody, nobody was certain when or if the then eight-time All-Star would play basketball once more. That query was rapidly answered when she re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury as a free agent forward of the 2023 WNBA season. Shortly upon her return, Griner was named an All-Star starter, and with the ninth choice that moved right into a tie for fourth on the all-time checklist. Whereas the season did not go effectively for the Mercury, Griner’s comeback was one of the crucial inspiring tales of the 12 months. She averaged 17.5 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per recreation. Along with her play on the courtroom, she received the WNBA’s season-long Group Help Award for her work with wrongful detainees and homeless individuals within the Phoenix space.
22. UFC/WWE merger
After years of hypothesis, WWE officers lastly confirmed initially of 2023 that the corporate was in gross sales negotiations with numerous suitors. Endeavor then introduced in April that it will be merging the UFC with the WWE to kind TKO Group Holdings. The merger was lastly confirmed in September, and whereas there hasn’t been a lot crossover between the 2 promotions, the deal may form the industries of each combined martial arts {and professional} wrestling for years to return.
23. Bruins roll, then get rocked
It was the top of a common season for the ages for the Boston Bruins, who completed a staggering 65-12-5 and set an NHL record with 135 points over the course of the marketing campaign. Elevating the primary Stanley Cup since 2011 virtually appeared like a foregone conclusion — after which the playoffs occurred. Enter the upstart eighth-seeded Panthers, who rallied after falling down 3-1 within the collection. Florida received two of the final three video games in extra time, each in Boston no much less, to deliver the top-seeded Bruins’ magical season to a grinding halt.
