?? Celebrating the Lighthearted Moments in Sports From 2022

Like many of you, we’re not entirely sure how it’s already the holiday season.?

As we grapple with the arrival of another hectic holiday and the coming new year, we want to take a different approach to the last newsletter of the year. We dug up a bunch of funny, lighthearted, and wow moments from the world of?sports?to share with you.?

In the new year, we'll continue to share stories that are moving the?sports?tech landscape, including our predictions in January about 2024 trends and beyond.

Happy holidays to you and your family; we’ll see you again in 2023!?

Now, onto the stories that had us laughing and smiling….

Driving into the NASCAR Championship With Epic Wall Move?

There was a time when funny cars was a proper racing term. And in racing, long before the all-seeing eyes of the cameras, fellow drivers would one-up each other with pranks and hijinks that have become the stuff of legend. Things like rubber snakes in the car and a strategically-placed opened can of sardines bring truth to a driver who competed in a “real stinker.” Read more about some of the most hilarious moments in NASCAR going back years?here.?

One of our favorite moments from this year became a truly viral sensation. On the final lap, Ross Chastain?took to the wall at Martinsville?in a push that got him into the championship four of NASCAR. The video from the maneuver has over 200 million views and continues to garner fan reaction. Chastain said, “That video will probably outlive me in this?sport, and I am proud of it.”?

The Butt Punt?

It took one punt to erase a previous?sports?blooper. In week 3 of NFL action, the Miami Dolphins ?butt punt immediately went viral?and, for a moment, overshadowed a blooper highlight reel from the infamous Mark Sanchez butt fumble.?

That same day, another play made for a hilarious reaction on social media. San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo?– much to the delight of former Detroit Lions QB Dan Orlovsky, ran out of the end zone for a safety. Orlovsky, who did something similar during his time in the league, was joyous that the attention may finally be off his shoulders.?

Kenny Smith, Shaq, and A Christmas Tree?

NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith are known to bicker and banter on their NBA show, much to the delight of hoops fans and Twitter. This December, they were racing to the big board when Smith hurled the big man towards an on-set Christmas tree. The result went viral, and the aftermath showed a laughing Shaq back at the desk covered in pine needles and glitter.?

Foxes Take To Field In Baseball Stadium?

Animals running into the field of play will always be charming and, in many instances, absolutely hilarious. This year, we saw even more fun-loving animals who found their way into the stadiums and the hearts of fans.

• It may be the offseason for the Colorado Rockies , but that didn’t stop some foxes from finding their way into the cozy confines of Coors Field. They played together on the field and even took the view from the stands. The?Rockies Twitter account?delivered the play-by-play of the adorable action.?
• In Oakland, a band of?feral cats infiltrated?the not-so-aptly-named RingCentral Coliseum, home of the Athletics .
• A border collie?couldn’t wait?for his moment and rushed onto the court well before the halftime show.?
• A goose was?on the loose?during the Dodger playoff NLDS, which delighted fans and Twitter alike.

Savannah Banana Epic Moments

When a team is named the Savannah Bananas , you assume laughter will be involved. Laughing is a key ingredient, and the engagement that results from the in-game entertainment product is what has made the Savannah Bananas a unique and successful story in the world of?sports. It was hard to nail down one hilarious moment, so we found ten, including a batter doing the splits, an ump that danced, and a hitter that came up to the plate … on stilts.?Watch them here.

The Wildest?Sports?You've Probably Never Heard Of ... Until Now?

At SportsTech HQ, we’re always looking for cutting-edge?sports. This year, we were amused to see some of the?most unique and humorous takes on?sports, including?

• Extreme ironing?- athletes take ironing boards to exotic, dangerous, and remote locations. The?sports?governing body, Extreme Ironing Bureau, describes it as “the latest danger?sport?that combines the thrill of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.”??
• Shin kicking*?- Some call it a martial art, but we call it … painful. The rule of the?sport?is simple enough – two contestant attempt to kick each other in the shins until one of them falls to the ground.?
• Extreme face slapping?- A rookie in extreme?sports, there is much to be seen with the newly-minted Power Slap League, but the rules seem simple: two opponents take turns smacking one another on the side of the head with an open hand.?
• Toe wrestling?- Invented in 1976 by, we kid you not, four tavern patrons, toe wrestling sees opponents link toes in a bid for dominance similar to arm wrestling, but with feet.?
• Cheese rolling?- if you love cheese enough to hurl yourself down a mountain to catch it, this may be the?sport?for you. Cheesemongers in waiting show up at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire every year to see who will be the tumbling, err, reigning champ. This year, an American, Abby Lampe, was the cheese-rolling champion, arriving down the 200-yard hill in 15 seconds.

* Please do not try this or any other extreme?sports?at home.?

Mike Leach, Words of Wisdom From Epic Coach, Storyteller

On a sadder note, on December 12, the?sports?world lost a legend. College football coach Mike Leach was an innovative and intriguing figure who was known as much for the stories he weaved as much as he was for the air raid offense that vaulted his teams to success. We’ve included him in this list because he brought so much laughter into the world of college football and?sports?in general.?

Following a Mississippi State game in October, head coach Mike Leach?chatted in a postgame interview with Marty Smith?about drinking coffee. When asked how he takes his coffee, Leach replied with pure gold: “Well, coffee tastes terrible anyway, don’t put anything in to obstruct the harsh, bitter taste. Just put it down one sip at a time."?

Famously, Leach also had long-winded and fascinating responses about raccoons,?weddings, and?candy corn. If you have the time, we highly recommend scrolling Twitter for some of the incredible stories which have come to light about Leach.?

With that, we hope you enjoyed some of these lighthearted moments from the past year, and we look forward to catching up with you in the new year with all the?sports?tech stories that matter.?

Happy holidays and enjoy a safe New Year!?

-- The SportsTech Team