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Being a sports fan isn’t just about just about tuning into games. Fan isn’t a label, it’s a way of life, and thanks to the digital revolution, we receive nearly instantaneous updates on athletes, games, and can’t miss moments – enabling us to weave our loyalty to our teams into the fabric of our daily lives. This year, as every year, we celebrated many a victory. We saw Derek Jeter crack the bat for the 3,000th time, and watched as Kemba Walker led UCONN to the championships. We admired the strength and perseverance of the Japanese women’s soccer team, who put aside the destruction of natural disaster to take home the World Cup Title. On a more solemn note, we mourned the loss of Joe Frazier, as well as that of Dan Wheldon. Both left strong legacies and legions of fans behind, and are sure to be remembered in the years to come. Through the ups and the downs, one thing rings true: sports aren’t just about action. They’re about loyalty, emotion, and the passion of true fans. And we couldn’t be happier to be along for the ride.

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Page 1: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Being a sports fan isn’t just about just about tuning into games. Fan isn’t a label, it’s a way of life, and thanks to the digital revolution, we receive nearly instantaneous updates on athletes, games, and can’t miss moments – enabling us to weave our loyalty to our teams into the fabric of our daily lives.

This year, as every year, we celebrated many a victory. We saw Derek Jeter crack the bat for the 3,000th time, and watched as Kemba Walker led UCONN to the championships. We admired the strength and perseverance of the Japanese women’s soccer team, who put aside the destruction of natural disaster to take home the World Cup Title. On a more solemn note, we mourned the loss of Joe Frazier, as well as that of Dan Wheldon. Both left strong legacies and legions of fans behind, and are sure to be remembered in the years to come.

Through the ups and the downs, one thing rings true: sports aren’t just about action. They’re about loyalty, emotion, and the passion of true fans. And we couldn’t be happier to be along for the ride.

Page 2: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Sections:College BasketballCollege Football GolfHorseracingMajor League BaseballMajor League Soccer

MLB Player PortraitsNascarNational Basketball AssociationNational Football LeagueNational Hockey LeagueTennis

Page 3: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Right: Donte Smith of the USC Trojans looks

to pass the ball against Markhuri Sanders-Frison of the California Golden

Bears in the second half in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Pacific Life

Pac-10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 10, 2011

in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Stephen Dunn

Page 4: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

College Basketball

Page 5: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 6: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Kemba Walker of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack of the Butler

Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament

at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas.

Photo by Streeter Lecka

Right:

Kemba Walker of the Connecticut Huskies goes to the basket against

Jamelle Horne of the Arizona Wildcats during the West Regional Final of the

2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Honda Center on

March 26, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Photo by Harry How

Page 7: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 8: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals and the mascot react after a play against the Morehead State Eagles during the second round of the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on

March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Doug Pensinger

Right:

Harrison Barnes of the North Carolina Tar Heels goes up for a shot against

Aziz N’Diaye of the Washington Huskies in the first half during the third round of the

2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20,

2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Page 9: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 10: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Festus Ezeli of the Vanderbilt Commodores lays on the court after being knocked down

by Storm Warren of the LSU Tigers during the first round of the SEC Men’s Basketball

Tournament at the Georgia Dome on March 10, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Right:

Lamont Jones and Derrick Williams of the Arizona Wildcats react after a play against

the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball

Tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian

Page 11: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: The Connecticut Huskies react after defeating the Butler Bulldogs 53 - 41 to win the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Photo by Andy Lyons

Right: Hayes Pullard of the University of Southern California Trojans upends Theo Riddick of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 22, 2011 in South Bend, Indiana. Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Page 12: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

College Football

Page 13: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Dres Anderson of the Utah Utes takes a hit from Nickell Robey of the USC Trojans during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Harry How

Right:

Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes screams as Gatorade is dumped on him after the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Page 14: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 15: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates as he is lifted up by his players after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Right: Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after the Cardinal scored a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes at Stanford Stadium on October 8, 2011 in Stanford, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw

Page 16: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 17: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 18: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Quarterback Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinal gets ready to run onto the field with his teammates to play against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Right: Wide receiver Michael Calvin of the California Golden Bears makes a first down reception as defensive back Parker Orms of the Colorado Buffaloes defends at Folsom Field on September 10, 2011 in Boulder, Colorado. Photo by Doug Pensinger

Page 19: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Members of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrate on the field after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian

Right: Scott Verplank plays his third shot at the 15th hole during the first round of the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at the Bay Hill Lodge and Country Club on March 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by David Cannon

Page 20: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Golf

Page 21: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 22: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Luke Donald hits his second shot on the 11th hole during the semifinal round of the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on February 26, 2011 in Marana, Arizona. Photo by Stuart Franklin

Right: Hee Kyung Seo putts on the 17th hole during the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor on July 10, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo by Mike Ehrmann

Page 23: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 24: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Matt Kuchar walks off the 15th tee with his caddie Lance Bennett during the

final round of the 2011 WGC-Cadillac Championship at the TPC Blue Monster

at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 13, 2011 in Doral, Florida.

Photo by Mike Ehrmann

Right:

Rory McIlroy grimaces in pain after hitting a tee shot on the fourth hole

during the first round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta

Athletic Club on August 11, 2011 in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Page 25: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Brittany Lincicome gets sprayed with champagne by her caddie A. J. Eathorne after winning the CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Hillsdale Golf and Country Club on August 28, 2011 in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Photo by Robert Laberge

Right: Rory McIlroy walks to the 16th green during the third round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by Andrew Redington

Page 26: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 27: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Martin Kaymer plays his bunker shot on the 15th hole during the quarterfinal round of the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on February 26, 2011 in Marana, Arizona. Photo by Stuart Franklin

Right: The field heads into turn one in the Breeders’ Cup Mile during the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 5, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Page 28: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Horseracing

Page 29: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 30: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Horses run down the front stretch during the third race of the day of the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Al Bello

Right: A horse and exercise rider work on the track during a morning training session in preparation for The Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2011 in Elmont, New York. Photo by Al Bello

Page 31: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 32: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Jockey Jesus Castanon riding ‘Shackleford’ celebrates as he crosses the

finish line in first place in the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course

on May 21, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Patrick Smith

Right:

The field rounds turn one during the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on

May 7, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Al Bello

Page 33: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 34: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: A horse is walked off the track during morning workouts for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 2, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Rob Carr

Right: Archarcharch runs during the morning exercise session in preparation for the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Page 35: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Hansen, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, wins the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile during the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 5, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Right: Yuniesky Betancourt of the Milwaukee Brewers runs the bases after hitting a triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game One of the National League Division Series at Miller Park on October 1, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Page 36: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Major League Baseball

Page 37: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 38: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Gerald Laird of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after David Freese hits a walk off solo home run in the 11th inning to win Game Six of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium on October 27, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Ezra Shaw

Right: Carlos Gomez of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Rafael Furcal of the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Five of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium on October 14, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Christian Petersen

Page 39: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 40: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Right: Nyjer Morgan of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after getting the game-winning RBI scoring teammate Carlos Gomez to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 in 10 in-nings in Game Five of the National League Division Series at Miller Park on October 7, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Left:

The bat of Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers flies through the air on its way to hitting a fan after he lost his grip on it during an at-bat in Game Three of the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on October 11, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Kevork Djansezian

Page 41: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 42: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Scott Gardner of the New York Yankees safely slides into second base under

Alexi Casilla of the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on April 7, 2011 in

New York City. Photo by Nick Laham

Right:

Eric Hosmer, Matt Treanor and Chris Getz of the Kansas City Royals

celebrate after Hosmer knocked in the game-winning run during the bottom of the 10th inning of the game on July 23,

2011 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Photo by Jamie Squire

Page 43: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Mike Napoli of the Texas Rangers tags out Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers at home plate for the final out of the eighth inning of Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 12, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Harry How

Right: Diego Chaves of the Chicago Fire reacts after colliding with Drew Moor of the Colorado Rapids as they battle for a head ball at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on April 30, 2011 in Commerce City, Colorado. Photo by Doug Pensinger

Page 44: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Major League Soccer

Page 45: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 46: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Marcos Mondaini of Chivas USA plays the ball past A.J. DeLaGarza of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS match at The Home Depot Center on October 16, 2011 in Carson, California. Photo by Victor Decolongon

Right: A Bull Frog hops around as Carlos Costly of Honduras brings the ball up against the USA at Sun Life Stadium on October 8, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo by Marc Serota

Page 47: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 48: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Eric Brunner of the Portland Timbers holds up a log slab and cheers with the fans after the game against the Columbus Crew at PGE Park on May 21, 2011 in Portland, Oregon. Photo by Steve Dykes

Right: Jay DeMerit of the Vancouver Whitecaps screams as he is tackled by Fredy Montero of the Seattle Sounders during their game at Empire Stadium September 24, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. Photo by Nick Didlick

Page 49: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 50: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

John Thorrington of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC leaps over Jeff Larentowicz

of the Colorado Rapids during their MLS game October 22, 2011 at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Photo by Jeff Vinnick

Right:

Mike Magee of the Los Angeles Galaxy slips over the back of Davide Chiumiento

of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during their MLS game July 30, 2011 at

Empire Field in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Photo by Jeff Vinnick

Page 51: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Robbie Keane of the Los Angeles Galaxy performs a cartwheel in celebration of his goal in his debut game at The Home Depot Center on August 20, 2011 in Carson, California. Photo by Harry How

Right: Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers. Photo by Chris Covatta

Page 52: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

MLB Player Portraits

Page 53: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 54: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees. Photo by Chris Covatta

Right:

Jose Reyes of the New York Mets. Photo by Chris Covatta

Page 55: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 56: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees. Photo by Chris Covatta

Right:

Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood

Page 57: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 58: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. Photo by Gregory Shamus

Right:

Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies. Photo by Dilip Vishwanat

Page 59: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Photo by Chris Covatta

Right: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 Carquest/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, and Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Pure Michigan Ford, lead the field during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 21, 2011 in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo by Jared C. Tilton

Page 60: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Nascar

Page 61: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 62: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Cars race during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Mo-

tor Speedway on April 9, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo by Jonathan Ferrey

Right:

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s/Power of Pride Chevrolet, practices for the

Sprint Cup Series Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond International Raceway on

September 9, 2011 in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Justin Edmonds

Page 63: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 64: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 CertainTeed/Menards Chevrolet, hits the wall as he makes contact with Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Remington Arms/Tracker Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jonathan Ferrey

Right: Brad Keselowski drives the #22 Discount Tire Dodge during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 14, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Page 65: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 66: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: The #10 SunTrust Racing Chevrolet Dallara driven by Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor drives during the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Watkins Glen 200 at Watkins Glen International on August 13, 2011 in Watkins Glen, New York. Photo by Chris Graythen

Right: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 1, 2011 in Dover, Delaware. Photo by Sean Gardner

Page 67: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, climbs from his car after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 4, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jared C. Tilton

Right: Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for the ball with Emeka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Harry How

Page 68: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

National Basketball Association

Page 69: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 70: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball over Aaron Gray of the New Orleans Hornets in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at the New Orleans Arena on April 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Chris Graythen

Right: Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball over a car in the final round of the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian

Page 71: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 72: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks dunks over Eduardo Najera of the Charlotte

Bobcats at Philips Arena on February 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Right:

Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Miami Heat in Game One of

the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2011 at the

United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Gregory Shamus

Page 73: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 74: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder takes a shot against Marc Gasol of the Memphis

Grizzlies in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA

Playoffs on May 3, 2011 at Oklahoma City Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Photo by Ronald Martinez

Right:

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball over Brendan Haywood of the Dallas Mavericks as

Haywood is called for a foul in the first quarter in Game Two of the Western

Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on

May 19, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Tom Pennington

Page 75: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to steal the ball from Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat in the first quarter of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian

Right: Donnie Jones of the St. Louis Rams punts into the sun against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Layne Murdoch

Page 76: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

National Football League

Page 77: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 78: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Defensive tackle Shaun Cody of the Houston Texans cools off during morning training camp practice at the Methodist Training Center at Reliant Park on August 5, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Photo by Bob Levey

Right: Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers watches as Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers dives for a ball during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Page 79: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 80: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Running back Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears attempts to jump into the endzone against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011

NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Right:

Quarterback Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles paces in the tunnel before the game against the New York

Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on September 25, 2011 in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania. Photo by Drew Hallowell

Page 81: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Wide receiver Sidney Rice of the Seattle Seahawks makes a 52-yard catch against strong safety Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Otto Greule Jr.

Right: Mohamed Massaquoi of the Cleveland Browns is stopped short of the endzone by Jacob Lacey and Antoine Bethea of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Page 82: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 83: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Plaxico Burress of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL Season Opening Game at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky

Right: Adam McQuaid of the Boston Bruins trips Christopher Higgins of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Photo by Bruce Bennett

Page 84: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

National Hockey League

Page 85: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 86: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Viktor Stalberg of the Chicago Blackhawks crashes into the back of the net as Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings defends the goal during an NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on April 8, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo by Dave Reginek

Right:

Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins dodges Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver

Canucks during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Photo by Harry How

Page 87: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 88: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Jack Hillen of the New York Islanders flips Brandon Prust of the New York Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum on March 31, 2011 in

Uniondale, New York. Photo by Bruce Bennett

Right:

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals walks off the ice following warm ups to

the game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in

Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen

Page 89: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 90: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes during a time out from the NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings at Jobing.com Arena on January 22, 2011

in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen

Right:

Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks makes a save in front of Drew Miller of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Six of

the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup

Playoffs on May 10, 2011 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Photo by Gregory Shamus

Page 91: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks lunges for the puck against the Colorado Avalanche at Honda Center on February 27, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Photo by Jeff Gross

Right: Timea Bacsinszky serves against Vesna Manasieva during the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 23, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Photo by Al Bello

Page 92: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Tennis

Page 93: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 94: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Rafael Nadal playing against Novak Djokovic during the Men’s Final on Day

Fifteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

on September 12, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Al Bello

Right:

Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy as he celebrates defeating Rafael Nadal during

the Men’s Final on Day Fifteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King

National Tennis Center on September 12, 2011 in New York City.

Photo by Chris Trotman

Page 95: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 96: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the first set over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Montreal, Canada. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Right: Julien Benneteau battles with Robin Haase during the semifinals of the Winston-Salem Open at the Wake Forest University Tennis Complex on August 26, 2011 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka

Page 97: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 98: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left:

Rafael Nadal shakes the sweat from his hair after his win over Alexandr Dolgopolov during the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon

Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Photo by Matthew Stockman

Right:

Caroline Wozniacki returns a shot to Alisa Kleybanova during the BNP Paribas Open

at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2011 in Indian Wells, California.

Photo by Matthew Stockman

Page 99: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Left: Roger Federer serves to Novak Djokovic during the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 19, 2011 in Indian Wells, California. Photo by Matthew Stockman

Right: Novak Djokovic reacts after he won match point against Rafael Nadal during the Men’s Final on Day Fifteen of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Chris Trotman

Page 100: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports
Page 101: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Joe FrazierJanuary 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011

If you ever watched Joe Frazier fight, he was a body in constant malevolent motion, pressing ever forward, rolling and bobbing and snapping like a James Brown backbeat before crashing his perfect left hook into some unlucky big man. He was what Norman Mailer called him on his greatest night, a “war machine.”

A sharecropper’s son who grew up poor in the South and Philadelphia, Frazier perfected that hook on sides of beef working in that city’s slaughterhouses, much like the later mythical fighter whose statue tops the steps of the art museum.

But while Frazier, a real-life Philadelphia hero, deserves his own statue as much as Rocky Balboa, a statue would not capture the constant energy of ‘Smokin’ Joe’ grinning to his work against the best fighters of his time. Through it all, and in the trilogy of fights with Ali that defined both men and remain bigger than the sport itself, Joe Frazier never stepped back.

Nathan Ward

Page 102: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

Joe Frazier, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World poses for a

portrait at his boxing gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photo by Al Bello

Page 103: Getty Images 2011 Year In Sports

2011 YEAR IN SPORTS

Design:Helen Paz

Photo Selection:Travis Lindquist and Pancho Bernasconi

Production and copywriting:Mark Fischel, Amy Odell, Sarah Jacobson and Nathan Ward

Printing:Strategic Content ImagingBurt Scherman / PresidentKevin McVea / Senior Vice PresidentRob Conte / Director of Prepress

In collaboration with:Carmin Romanelli / Vice President, Sports

Special thanks to all of our photographers, editors and partners.

©2011 Getty ImagesAll images appearing in this publicationmay not be reproduced in any way withoutthe prior consent of Getty Images.

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