Sport-Off-field
drama takes focus away from top displays
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[December 20, 2014]
By Steve Keating
(Reuters) - The stadiums and arenas where
fans go to escape were invaded like never before in 2014 as the reality
of racism, domestic violence and equality turned the Fields of Dreams
into gloomy landscapes.
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LeBron James's homecoming, a Super Bowl blowout, a throwback
World Series pitching performance and a Stanley Cup comeback for the
ages all provided enough drama, suspense and awe to keep the
turnstiles twirling and television ratings soaring.
But the cheers were occasionally drowned out by outrage over
domestic abuse and chants of "Hands Up Don't Shoot" as fans and
athletes joined protests over the shooting death of an unarmed black
teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.
Internationally there was plenty of glory as the United States won
28 medals at the Sochi Games and claimed the world basketball crown
while Canada enjoyed a sweep of the Olympic ice hockey gold medals.
But there was less to be proud of on the homefront as the
ever-present undercurrent of racism surfaced, forcing National
Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver to come down hard on
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/20/images/ads/current/pest_control_bch_092414.png) With players on the brink of revolt and sponsors ready to flee,
Sterling was run out of the league, both cashing in and paying the
price for his racist rant, loathed and humiliated but $2 billion
richer after a forced sale of his team to Microsoft co-founder Steve
Ballmer.
James, the face of NBA, grabbed headlines when he turned his back on
the glitz of Miami for the grit of Cleveland, the city he famously
jilted four years early in free agency.
After winning two NBA titles with the Heat but humbled in last
season's final by the San Antonio Spurs, James returned to the
Cavaliers determined to deliver the championship he failed to in his
first stint with the team.
The NFL took as many hits off the field as on it but the
controversies could not dent the league's immense popularity.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was widely criticized for fumbling
domestic violence cases, most notably one involving a video showing
former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his
then-fiance in an elevator.
Concussions remained a major concern in the NFL while the league
prepared to welcome its first openly gay player. Michael Sam's
groundbreaking bid, however, fizzled when he was dropped by the St.
Louis Rams and then the Dallas Cowboys leaving his playing future in
limbo.
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On the field the Seattle Seahawks were the toast of NFL after
thumping the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the first cold weather Super
Bowl played outdoors in New Jersey.
With a labor dispute behind them the NHL entered the year in
spectacular style by attracting a record crowd of 105,000 to
Michigan Stadium for a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and
Detroit Red Wings.
The Los Angeles Kings grabbed the NHL spotlight by winning their
second Stanley Cup in three seasons after a remarkable playoff run
that included a rally from a 3-0 series deficit in the opening round
of the playoffs.
After 20 seasons, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter exited the
MLB stage in grand style by slamming the winning hit in a 6-5
victory over the Baltimore Orioles in his final game at Yankee
Stadium.
A few weeks later fans found a new star, as San Francisco Giants
pitcher Madison Bumgarner earned his spot in the pantheon of
baseball greats by earning two wins in the World Series and a
five-inning save in the decisive seventh game to give his team their
third championship in five years.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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