Looking back on 2004 there are so many images that exemplify sport.
Here are my top 10 images to remember. Ten images that continue to be a snapshot in my mind as some of the top stories of the year.
10. According to Jimmy Fallon, during his year in review song, Kobe got off twice.
The video of Bryant and his lawyer walking into the Eagle country court room successfully defending his case.
9. For those of you who were too busy seeing what Santa left under the tree on Christmas day to watch basketball, you missed the much anticipated encounter between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the first time since their awful loss to the Detroit Pistons in last years NBA finals, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant faced each other.
As with all basketball games it’s customary to shake hands or pound the fist before each game. Kobe would have to face Shaq. The event was anti-climactic.
Kobe swooped in from Shaq’s blind side and put out his hand while Shaq saw Kobe at the last minute, but looked away and straight over Kobe’s head.
Way to be cordial guys.
8. This image has been seen for the last six years. The final day of the Tour de France.
On that hot day in late July, Lance Armstrong sips a glass of champagne while riding toward Paris for his sixth victory in a row.
Here is a man that doesn’t touch alcohol for months leading up to The Tour enjoying a glass of champagne near the end of his most successful trip to France. Does it get any better than that?
7. The curse is officially over. In the fourth game of the World Series after doing the impossible and winning eight games in a row, a bunch of idiots rushed the field in pure ecstacy.
6. How could a DU paper put together such a list without mentioning that pose by all the members of the 2004 NCAA National Champion hockey team around the trophy.
Fists pumping and index fingers extended while smiling from ear to ear, DU hockey was number one.
5. With the Olympics held in 2004, it would be impossible not to mention the 18-year-old phenom who won eight medals, including six gold in the pool.
After winning the 100 butterfly, Michael Phelps thrusts both fists in the air forming a perfect “V,” probably for victory.
4. Image number four is that of Phelps standing with his teammates cheering for the relay he throroughly deserved to compete in, but didn’t because he gave his spot to teammate Ian Crocker
3. How can people in Denver forget Jake Plumber’s unforgettable hand motion?
After throwing yet another interception in a game the Broncos barely won against the struggling Miami Dolphins, a game that some Broncos have trouble considering a win, fans were booing.
Plumber, crouched over and bundled up on the sidelines bench, put his fist in the air and extended his middle finger to the crowd. The Broncos rewarded his action with a five-year contract extention.
2. In a year where more people turned out to to vote for president than ever before, Senator John Kerry took to wearing a yellow “livestrong” rubber bracelet.
Every time he raised his hands in the air before or after a speech we saw the bracelet that was sweeping the nation.
The bracelets were started by Lance Armstrong to raise money for cancer.
1. And the number one image to remember 2004 by is watching the volleyball dancers during the Olympics. Something about watching those bikini-clad females dance on sand during the breaks of volleyball games gave new meaning to volleyball.
