Top Five Sports Events of 2003 (So Far)

By Brandon Bickerstaff

Though 2003 has just begun, we have already seen enough edge-of-the-seat finishes, shrewd business moves, and drastic changing of the guard for the new year.

From the Pittsburgh Steelers' and San Francisco 49ers' thrilling comeback victories in the playoffs to the disintegration of the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, 2003 has already provided some memorable moments. So here is a list of the top five issues and plays thus far this year.

McGahee's wise decision could pay off

Willis McGahee

After a stellar sophomore season during which he became a household name and the object of desire for NFL scouts, Miami (Fla.) running back Willis McGahee prepared himself to help his Hurricanes defend their national title against Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. But the Heisman runner-up saw his hopes for going pro next season fall when he snapped two ligaments in his knee, ending his chances for entering the NFL draft this spring.

But all was not lost for McGahee, who just hours before the Hurricanes' 31-24 double overtime loss to the Buckeyes took out an insurance policy in case he suffered a career-ending injury in what would have been his final game as a Hurricane. Under the policy, McGahee would receive a tax-free $2.5 million on Jan. 3, 2004, exactly one year from the date of the game.

"I faxed his physical information to Lloyd's of London at 3 o'clock on Friday," insurance agent Keith Lerner told ESPN.com. "The ink wasn't even dry on the paper yet."

McGahee approached Lerner - who had also written policies for former Miami players Santana Moss, Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie - to take out the large policy.

"I originally said I could get him a $1.5 million policy, but he wanted more," said Lerner. "Then, I got $2 million and he still wanted more. So eventually we got to $2.5 million, which is a very large policy and possibly the largest policy a sophomore has ever had."

Mark McGahee's move as one of the top financial decisions thus far in 2003.

Steelers come back against new Cardiac Kids

After falling behind to their age-old rival Cleveland Browns in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, Pittsburgh mounted a miraculous comeback behind the arm of the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year, quarterback Tommy Maddox (30-of-48, 367 yards) for a 36-33 win at Heinz Field. Maddox's three touchdown passes in the game's final 19 minutes helped lead the Steelers to a 17-point comeback and a rare home playoff victory.

The Steelers had lost four home playoff games under head coach Bill Cowher since 1992.

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala's 3-yard touchdown run with 54 seconds left secured the win for the Steelers, who trailed 17-7 at the half, 24-7 in the third quarter and 33-21 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Victory bittersweet for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers mounted the second-largest comeback in NFL history when they fought back from a 24-point deficit to defeat the New York Giants, 39-38. But the win was bittersweet, as it was found that the game officials blew a pass interference call that would have given the Giants a second chance at a game-winning field goal.

After trailing 38-14 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter, the 49ers scored 25 straight points on two touchdown passes and a scoring run by quarterback Jeff Garcia (27-of-44, 331 yards, 3 TDs, 60 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD), as well as two 2-point conversion catches by wideout Terrell Owens. Garcia connected with Tai Streets for a 13-yard touchdown pass with one minute left. Then, Giants long snapper Trey Junkin botched the snap on a 41-yard field goal attempt that holder Matt Allen scooped up for a desperate pass attempt downfield. After the Giants were flagged for illegal receivers time expired and the 49ers had dodged a bullet.

After the game, Junkin announced his second retirement. He had been called back to duty by the Giants prior to the game against the 49ers.

"I tried to make the perfect snap instead of a good snap. You can't do that," Junkin said. "This is something I've done for 32 years, but not anymore. If you can't count on me at the end of the game, that's it, I'm done.

"I cost 58 guys a chance to go to the Super Bowl. I'd give anything in the world, except my family at this point, right now to still be retired."

BCS finally gets one right

After debacles posing as college national championship football games in recent years, the Bowl Championship Series finally did what its supporters have claimed since its inception and provided the country with a quality game between a consensus No. 1 and No. 2. The 2003 Fiesta Bowl had to be one of the greatest college championship games in the last decade, with the Ohio State Buckeyes pulling off an unlikely 31-24, double overtime upset over the reigning champion Miami Hurricanes.

For years, BCS supporters had said that the computerized system used in calculating the national rankings would better ensure that the country's top two teams would face off for the national title. But instead, we have been subjected to grotesque blowouts, like Miami's dismantling of Nebraska in last year's championship game, a game in which many felt Nebraska should have never played. But somehow the system worked this year, giving us an instant classic that will be talked about for years to come.

LeBron James lottery sweepstakes

All had their heads turned in 2002 toward the high school phenom who was said to be Michael Jordan's "Air" apparent, but 2003 will be a year of immense change for Akron, Ohio's LeBron James. James is expected to forgo college and head straight for the big money contracts in the NBA. So far, the hype has been well-received by the St. Vincent's/St. Mary's star, who has performed exceptionally well in two national television appearances on ESPN2. With agents, shoe companies, groupies and other opportunists nipping hungrily at his heels, it will be interesting to see if the child prot�g� will make a smooth transition into the man's world of professional sports. If the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers luck up (or stink up, depending on how you look at it) enough to land James with the top pick in this summer's draft, the kid might have a chance to retain some of his youthful innocence. Being close to home (James has been seen several times in attendance at Cavs' home games) would help keep him grounded and focused. But should he go to a team far, far away, heaven only knows what could happen in the youngster's life, let alone his career.

Brandon M. Bickerstaff is a senior print journalism major at Howard University and the sports editor of the District Chronicles. Contact him at