5 Most Shocking Moments In Sports Of 2020

2020 proved that in sports, neither is stable nor impossible. Below are five of the most shocking moments that happened in the sporting world this year.

5. NFL stars joined Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in a rematch

It is always a shocking moment when two of the best players in a sport collaborate for a good cause. What more if the pair will be joined by two of the best players from another sport?

This is what happened in May when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson decided to have a charity rematch of their 2018’s epic duel known as “The Match.”

To add flair into their second showdown, Woods and Mickelson had NFL all-time greats Tom Brady and Peyton Manning swinging the club with them on the course.

Regardless of which pair won the match, the scenery itself was already a historic moment. But Woods and Brady’s team beat Mickelson and Manning to raise $20 million for charity.

Another shocking moment worth remembering during the exhibition was Brady’s embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.

4. Announcement of Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul

Though it’s no longer a surprise whenever Floyd Mayweather Jr. announces his return, the undefeated boxer made quite a buzz earlier this month when he confirmed an exhibition match against YouTube star Logan Paul.

“Money” is now set to take on Paul after being engaged in a war of words on social media. While Mayweather is evidently the favorite to win the bout, the expected amount of money it would generate could possibly shock the entire sporting world due to the massive fanbase of the two.

3. Lionel Messi almost left FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player to ever grace the football pitch. The Argentine has represented FC Barcelona for more than two decades, but in August, the world was shocked when the club announced that its team captain has sent them a “document expressing his desire to leave.”

Though Messi decided to continue playing for his beloved club, nobody can guarantee that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner will opt to stay when his contract expires in 2021.

2. Mike Tyson returned to boxing

Exhibition boxing match has been quite a trend in 2020. Before Mayweather vs. Paul followed suit, it was the epic Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. that started it all.

Roughly 15 years after his last professional fight, “Iron Mike” decided to make a comeback at age 54. He took on his fellow boxing in a dour eight-round encounter that ended in a draw.

After the fight, Tyson vows to continue fighting for a good cause.

“This (exhibitions) is bigger than championships. We’re humanitarians, we’re helping people. That’s bigger. And I’m into that now,” he said.

1. Kobe Bryant’s death

Before the pandemic changed the landscape of sports, it was the untimely death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant that sent the entire globe into a virtual standstill.

On January 26, Bryant was confirmed dead along with her daughter Gianna and six other passengers, including the pilot in a horrifying helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

People from all walks of life mourned Bryant’s passing and some of his fellow NBA greats were left devastated by the fact they lost a “brother.”

"I haven't felt a pain that sharp in a while," Shaquille O’Neal said on TNT's "Remembering Kobe" tribute. "I lost a little brother. I wish I could say something to him again."

“I'm heartbroken and devastated my brother! Man, I love you big bro,” LeBron James wrote on Instagram. “I promise you I'll continue your legacy man until we meet again my brother!"