There were Spurs, Giants, Germans and bites galore in 2014, and luckily everything was caught with some incredible photography. Some of the year’s championship highlights include the Sochi Winter Olympics, a spectacular World Cup in Brazil that culminated in Germany claiming the fourth title in the country’s history, the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs sewing up their fifth title in 15 years, and Spain’s grand clay master Rafael Nadal locking in his ninth career French Open title.
There was of course controversy and moments that caused us all to gasp. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez bit an opponent during the World Cup and was banned for four months by FIFA as a result, and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius's murder trial began and ended in 2014.
Months later New York Giants rookie wide out Odell Beckham Jr. came up with a fantastic, one-handed leaping touchdown catch that was played on highlight reels for weeks.
All those moments and more are included in our list of 2014’s top sports photos.
One of the five Olympic rings malfunctions during the opening ceremonies for the Sochi winter games on Feb. 7.ReutersItaly's Giorgio Chiellini shows a referee where Uruguay's Luis Suarez bit him during World Cup play on Jun 24.ReutersMembers of the St. Louis Rams protest and show support for Michael Brown on Nov. 30. ReutersReal Madrid superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo, right, celebrates a penalty goal in the Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid on May 24.ReutersRafael Nadal after beating rival Novak Djokovic to claim his ninth French Open title on June 8, 2014.ReutersIndian mud wrestlers practice one of the nation's traditional sports in Mumbai on March 4.ReutersThe San Antonio Spurs raise the fifth championship in franchise history after beating the Miami Heat 4-1.ReutersUnited States snowboarder and defending Olympic champion Shaun White bends and crashes his board during the men's halfpipe event in Sochi on Feb. 11.ReutersFormer South African Olympic hero Oscar Pistorious on the second of his murder trial on March 4.ReutersNew York Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. makes the best catch of the 2014 NFL regular season against the rival Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 23.ReutersFormula One driver Felipe Massa flips and crashes his car during the German F1 Grand Prix July 20.ReutersNBA superstar LeBron James taunted by San Antonio Spurs fans during Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 8.ReutersJanay, center, and Ray Rice before the former Baltimore Ravens running back's appeal for reinstatement in the NFL on Nov. 5.ReutersGermany's national team celebrates their fourth World Cup title after a 1-0 victory over Argentina on July 13.ReutersNow-former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval celebrating the team's third World Series title in five years on Oct. 29.ReutersSeattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith makes a confetti angel after his team won the first Super Bowl in franchise history on Feb. 2.Reuters
