11: Detroit Lions secure wild first win  

Just two weeks ago, quarterback Jared Goff found rookie receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on a walk-off touchdown pass for a 29 – 27 upset win over the Minnesota Vikings. This gave the Lions their first win of the season, after beginning with ten losses and a tie. After experiencing the emotional high of victory for the first time this season, head coach Dan Campbell dedicated the game ball to the whole Oxford community and those who were affected by the school shooting.

10: Washington Spirit win the 2021 NWSL Championship 

Following a season of turmoil and disputes over player safety and treatment in the NWSL, the Spirit defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 to win the 2021 NWSL Championship Final at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. 

9: Special moments on the PGA Tour 

Lots of records were broken during this year’s PGA Tour. For instance, Phil Mickleson, at 50, became the oldest major champion in history when he won at Kiawah Island in May. At the Masters, Hideki Matsuyama made history when he became the first Japanese man to win the Masters and put on the green jacket. 

8: Oklahoma Sooners win the Women’s College World Series 

The 2021 Women’s College World Series was a time for broken records and star players. On top of individual and team victories, viewership numbers surpassed previous records set by the Men’s College World Series. One-seed Oklahoma won a series of close games against Florida State. The Sooners set several single-season records, totaling 161 total home runs and an average of 10.63 runs per game. Oklahoma also broke Women’s College World Series records for home runs, hits, and runs scored.

7: Max Verstappen defeats Lewis Hamilton for Formula 1 title

On Sunday, Dutch driver Max Verstappen won his first Formula 1 in dramatic, controversial fashion, passing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to claim the title. The two drivers entered the race tied on points, but Verstappen pulled ahead after a pass behind the safety car. Nevertheless, the Prince of Wales knighted Hamilton for his contribution to sport on Wednesday. 

6: Atlanta Braves win the World Series 

The Atlanta Braves won their first World Series title since 1995 after defeating the Houston Astros 7 – 0 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park. The team suffered injuries to stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., but the Braves rebounded magnificently after some front-office mastery at the trade deadline.

5: Emma Raducanu defeats Leylah Fernandez for 2021 US Open Title 

In September, 18-year-old British phenom Emma Raducanu defeated 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez in two sets. Both teenagers completed fairytale runs despite being ranked outside the Top 70 before the tournament.

4: Milwaukee Bucks win the 2021 NBA Finals 

The Milwaukee Bucks secured their second-ever NBA championship following a 105-98 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. It was an especially remarkable performance for the young star Giannis Antetokoumpo, who dropped 50 points in Game 6 and was crowned the NBA Finals MVP.

3: Tom Brady Wins Seventh Ring 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV after completing a victory that exceeded expectations and made all kinds of history. Dominating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9, the Bucs won their second Super Bowl and became the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. It was a special moment for quarterback Tom Brady especially, who secured his seventh Lombardi Trophy, two more than any other player in NFL history and one more than any entire NFL franchise has achieved.

2: Steph Curry Breaks The NBA Career 3-Point Record 

Stephen Curry is officially the greatest shooter of all time. Just a couple days ago, the Golden State Warriors superstar drained the 2,974th three-pointer of his Hall of Fame career during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks.

1: Suni Lee Wins Gold In Women’s All-Around 

American gymnast Suni Lee dazzled her way to winning gold in the women’s Olympic individual all-around final. She had an impressive statline, scoring a 14.600 on vault, 15.300 on uneven bars, 13.833 on beam and 13.700 on floor exercise.