2008 Woodie Awards
From green rookies to seasoned champions: ESPN is as notable as the athletes and events it has covered
COMMENTARY
Andy Gates
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: Sports
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My father still remembers when the land across the street was empty; there were no buildings or enormous satellite dishes. Even when the first sign was placed in the ground, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, my family thought little of it. So much has changed for ESPN since 1979, including expansion at their main campus in Bristol, Conn. More importantly, ESPN has revolutionized the way in which we receive sports. As an athlete and sports fan, I have regarded ESPN as my church for the past 14 years.
How could I not mention ESPN's 25th anniversary, for all that ESPN has given to us sports fans? In celebration of their anniversary, ESPN and an expert panel looked back at the past 25 years in sports. The panel selected the best and worst in the world of sports since 1979. We all have our own favorite sports moments over the years; if you want the expert panel's, go to espn.com, but here are mine.
Biggest Blunder: Leon Lett, in Superbowl XXVII. After picking up a fumble and taking it downfield, Lett was a yard away from scoring a Dallas touchdown. Unfortunately, for Dallas, Don Bebbie ran in and knocked the ball away from the dancing Lett. That was the only highlight for the Bills, as the Cowboys would go onto win the game 52-17.
Outrageous Character: Mike Tyson. He has given the sports world some of the most entertaining sound bites ever, including my favorite when he told Lennox Lewis that he wanted to eat his children. Not only has Tyson said some of the most outrageous things; he has done them, squandering hundreds of millions of dollars, biting off a part Evander Holyfield's ear and tattooing his face.
Best Athlete: Michael Jordan. Although Gretzky and Armstrong are great, there really is no contest in this category. Tiger Woods is not even a possibility for a few reasons. For one his play over the past few years has declined and two, he plays golf.
Best Games: Bills vs. Oilers in the 1992 AFC wild card game and Connecticut vs. Duke in 1999 NCAA final. In what is the greatest comeback in NFL history, the Bills came back from 32 points in the third quarter to beat the Oilers 41-38 in overtime. The Bills were also without starting quarterback Jim Kelly and led by back-up Frank Reich. For my second choice, if you are from Connecticut and follow Uconn basketball copiously, this game has to be near the top of your list.
How could I not mention ESPN's 25th anniversary, for all that ESPN has given to us sports fans? In celebration of their anniversary, ESPN and an expert panel looked back at the past 25 years in sports. The panel selected the best and worst in the world of sports since 1979. We all have our own favorite sports moments over the years; if you want the expert panel's, go to espn.com, but here are mine.
Biggest Blunder: Leon Lett, in Superbowl XXVII. After picking up a fumble and taking it downfield, Lett was a yard away from scoring a Dallas touchdown. Unfortunately, for Dallas, Don Bebbie ran in and knocked the ball away from the dancing Lett. That was the only highlight for the Bills, as the Cowboys would go onto win the game 52-17.
Outrageous Character: Mike Tyson. He has given the sports world some of the most entertaining sound bites ever, including my favorite when he told Lennox Lewis that he wanted to eat his children. Not only has Tyson said some of the most outrageous things; he has done them, squandering hundreds of millions of dollars, biting off a part Evander Holyfield's ear and tattooing his face.
Best Athlete: Michael Jordan. Although Gretzky and Armstrong are great, there really is no contest in this category. Tiger Woods is not even a possibility for a few reasons. For one his play over the past few years has declined and two, he plays golf.
Best Games: Bills vs. Oilers in the 1992 AFC wild card game and Connecticut vs. Duke in 1999 NCAA final. In what is the greatest comeback in NFL history, the Bills came back from 32 points in the third quarter to beat the Oilers 41-38 in overtime. The Bills were also without starting quarterback Jim Kelly and led by back-up Frank Reich. For my second choice, if you are from Connecticut and follow Uconn basketball copiously, this game has to be near the top of your list.