As the 2022 sports calendar rolled on, fans hailed new heroes, saluted the latest champs and bid farewell to GOATs (and even welcomed a couple back). But no matter the season, our greeting was clear: We cheered on each moment that highlighted our year.
Check out the full list for a more complete picture of the sports world in 2022
January Big Ben's Big Goodbye
Ben Roethlisberger left the only home field he has ever known with the only thing he ever cared about -- a Steelers victory, 26-14, over the Browns -- but only after circling Heinz Field to bask in the glory. Justin Berl/Getty Images NFL Playoff Walk-offs
The 49ers were one of four teams who scored in the final seconds of regulation or in overtime to keep their postseason hopes alive past the divisional round. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports February Stafford Delivers
Matthew Stafford threw Cooper Kupp a fourth-quarter, back-shoulder pass to lift the Los Angeles Rams over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, then made another perfect toss to one of his four daughters at confetti-carpeted SoFi Stadium. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock All-American Stories
With a 500-meter speedskating victory at the Beijing Olympics, Erin Jackson started her own legacy as the first Black woman to win individual winter Olympic gold. Hers was one of many American triumphs at the Beijing Games. AP Photo/Ashley Landis Featured Story: LIV Golf Tour Challenging the Standard
For the first time since Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer led players to split from the PGA of America to form the PGA Tour in 1968, the top circuit had a serious competitor. The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf tour enticed many top players to join. Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images Read more: Mark Schlabach breaks down golf's most tumultuous year
March Good Luck Topping Pop
With win No. 1,336, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich broke the NBA record held by Don Nelson, his onetime boss at Golden State. In 26 years, Pop has won five titles and three Coach of the Year honors. Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports April A New Era Dawns
Coach Dawn Staley guided South Carolina to its second national title in five seasons, keeping her undefeated coaching record in NCAA title games intact and handing UConn coach Geno Auriemma his first national championship game loss in 12 appearances. Ethan Mito/NCAA Photos via Getty Images Masters Moments
Tiger Woods thrilled the gallery with a 1-under first round at the Masters, his first official round since nearly losing his right leg in a car crash in February 2021. Woods would finish 13 over, in 47th place. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports ESPN Portraits of the Year ESPN worked with incredibly talented photographers and artists to produce custom photo shoots to supplement some of the biggest profiles of the year, including this one of Connecticut Sun C Jonquel Jones, by Katie Barnes. Bronson Farr for ESPN Read more: The untold story of the WNBA's reigning MVP
May Rich Gets Richer
Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby's longest shot (80-1), was 16th at the final turn before Sonny Leon steered him through the pack, toward the rail and to the winner's circle as the second-biggest underdog to wear the roses. Jamie Squire/Getty Images NBA Playoff Drama
In possibly the most vicious dunk of the season, Andrew Wiggins elevated above Luka Doncic and the rim for this slam during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks. Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images June The Steph of Legends
After failing to make the playoffs in successive years, third-seeded Golden State wasn't exactly a 2022 favorite. But Finals MVP Steph Curry (31 PPG) and crew beat Boston in six, making their fourth title look practically preordained. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images Minor Roughing
Skating over to bring the Stanley Cup to his team's victory photo, Avalanche RW Nicolas Aube-Kubel stumbled and sent the famed trophy tumbling into his teammates, marking the fastest any club has damaged the Cup. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Editors' Picks: Our Favorite Images This photo of ice dancers Holly Harris and Jason Chan of Australia is part of a collection ESPN photo editors curated of the most beautiful, emotional and dramatic photographs from this year in sports. Dustin Satloff/International Skating Union via Getty Images See more: Sports images of the year
July Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic won his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, and seventh overall, leaving him one shy of Roger Federer's record career total. Visionhaus/Getty Images A Deep Derby Run
Although participants were announced in front of a wall of fire, Juan Soto started his Home Run Derby final round a cold 0-for-9. He then hit 10 of his next 12 pitches over the fence at Dodger Stadium to coast to a 19-18 win over Julio Rodriguez. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images August Sue Bird's Fond Farewell
In the final regular-season home game of her 21-year career with the Seattle Storm, Sue Bird was preparing to inbound the ball when a young admirer offered her a flower -- and expressed the appreciation of fans everywhere. Steph Chambers/Getty Images Recurring Field of Dreams
In the second Field of Dreams game on the actual site of the Kevin Costner classic, the Chicago Cubs took care of the Cincinnati Reds in front of a sellout crowd. Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register-USA TODAY Sports Featured Story: Serena and Roger Tennis GOATs Retire
After announcing she would be "evolving" away from tennis with an essay in Vogue in August, Serena Williams ended one of the most storied careers in the sport's history. COREY SIPKIN/AFP via Getty Images The joint departure of Roger Federer (pictured above with Rafael Nadal at his final match) and Williams marked the end of an incredible era, one we will likely never see replicated. Ella Ling/Shutterstock Read more: Serena's final month of tennis and beyond
September That's 'Coach' Big Shot Becky
As clutch as their new coach, Las Vegas won its first WNBA title and made Becky Hammon the first former WNBA player to win it all as a coach. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images October Aaron Judge Presides
In the offseason, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge vowed to hit 50 home runs in 2022. That seemed bold at the time, but then he went and broke Roger Maris' 61-year-old record of 61 home runs. Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images Tennessee's Watershed Win
Tennessee topped Alabama 52-49 for the first time since 2006, prompting the crowd to tear down the goalposts, haul them out of General Neyland's fine stadium and toss them in the Tennessee River. Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images November Houston's Fabulous Baker Boys
When his Astros won the World Series in six games over the Phillies, beloved manager Dusty Baker, 73, became the oldest manager/head coach to win a title in major American sports. Phil Ellsworth/ESPN Images Virginia Football Players Killed in Shooting on Campus
Three members of the Virginia football team were shot and killed by a former player, bringing the campus to a mournful standstill. Steve Helber-Pool/Getty Images Featured Story: Qatar World Cup Controversy and Competition
Brazil striker Richarlison scored one of the flashiest goals of the group stage with an acrobatic effort during the 2-0 win over Serbia. Brazil later lost to Croatia in heartbreaking fashion in the quarterfinal. Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images Read more: World Cup daily updates
December Unretirement Party
Tyson Fury, right, vowed to hang up his gloves after he knocked out Dillian Whyte in April, but "The Gypsy King" couldn't stay retired long. The WBO heavyweight champ dispatched Derek Chisora via TKO and immediately called out Oleksandr Usyk. Warren Little/Getty Images Featured Story: Brittney Griner Released from Russian Prison
After 10 months in Russian custody, WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing convicted arms dealer Victor Bout. President Biden spoke with Griner on the phone while her wife, Cherelle, was at the White House. @POTUS/Twitter Read more: Griner returns to the U.S.
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