2010’s Ten Greatest NFL Moments (Part 1)
Ever since the NFL started way back in 1920, there have been many great moments in NFL history. Whether you prefer Super Bowl 34 or John Elway in the 1986 AFC Championship game, there have been a couple of other great moments that took place in 2010.
Number ten on the list is Super Bowl XLIV. People in New Orleans are still partying after quarterback Drew Brees won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, and led the New Orleans Saints to their first Lombardi Trophy. The football-loving region
watched, as Brees passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns, coming back to win despite being down by 10. The Saints’ defence limited the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning to only one touchdown in the last three quarters of the game.
Even better was when Tracy Porter intercepted one of Manning’s passes, and returned it 74 yards for the game winning touchdown. The Saints won the game, 31-7.
Number nine on the list focuses on Mika Shanahan, head coach for the Washington Redskins, and ex-Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Was it a stroke of genius that told Shanahan to pick McNabb, who is the Eagles’ leader in passing attempts, completions,
passing yards, career victories, and passing touchdowns? Or did the coach get a raw deal? It seems more like a bad deal recently, with McNabb benched for the final games of the season for reasons unknown.
Here we go with number eight. Both Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010. On 7 August Rice and Smith made history by being inducted, and will be remembered forever as the NFL’s leading receiver and rusher,
respectively. Both of them won three Super Bowls each, and an MVP award to boot. Rice had 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 208 touchdowns during his career, while Smith rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns. Who will make the Hall of Fame next year?
What could be better than teams standing together as one? Well that makes number seven on the list of 2010’s greatest NFL moments. As a sign of unity, players from the Minnesota Vikings and Saints raised one finger in unison to show that they stand together
as a union, before their game on 9 September. Since then every single team has decertified themselves as members of the NFL Players Association.
Number six on the list goes to Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson leapt to make the game winning touchdown reception, with 31 seconds left in the game. However, the replay assistant reviewed the catch, and waived off the touchdown. Why? Even
though Johnson did tap both feet inbounds before falling, the officials decided that he did not maintain possession of the ball because he put the ball to the ground with his right arm.
Next up, at number five, is all about helmet hits and other “illegal” hits. Granted football is a violent game, but NFL players proved this in Week six, when serious neck and head injuries were suffered by multiple players. Brandon Meriweather and Dunta
Robinson were fined $50,000 each, while James Harrison was fined $75,000, as a result of the NFL crunching down on players who performed helmet to helmet hits.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, “We’re not talking about changing the rules. We’re going to increase the discipline.”
There were mixed reactions to the move. Some were pleased that the NFL was looking out for the safety of players, while others said that NFL officials and Goodell were taking away from the spirit of football and how they play.
Although Michael Vick may never be on the top of the list for animal lovers, but he sure makes the list of 2010’s greatest NFL moments. The Eagles quarterback's 2010 season has been amazing. His change from a lethargic player to a dedicated, focused one
has been refreshing. Vick took over the Eagles’ offence after Kevin Kolb sustained a concussion in the first game of the regular season.
To be continued in Part 2
Tags: