ESPN BEST SPORTS MOMENTS

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.


THE FROZEN HAT TRICK
Cam Talbot's toque couldn't fend off minus-7 degree temperatures at the Winter Classic, as the Minnesota Wild goalie still suffered a wickedly cold start at Target Field, allowing 6 goals through two periods in a 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images
01
Jan






Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP
02
Jan


OVER AND OUT PATTERN
Claiming an ankle injury, Tampa Bay Bucs WR Antonio Brown refused to re-enter a road game against the New York Jets, and instead removed his jersey and exited the field. Controversy has followed Brown ever since, including separate allegations of indecent exposure and misdemeanor battery.





03
Jan

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.





Jan
10
DAWGS' DAY
Avenging its only loss of the season, Georgia trounced Alabama with a star-studded defense (5 NFL first-round picks) and former walk-on QB Stetson Bennett at the helm.