The New Orleans Saints looked around in disbelief, searching for a yellow flag that never came during the NFC championship game.
The Auburn Tigers were sure they’d get the basketball after a Virginia player appeared to double-dribble in the closing seconds of a thrilling Final Four game in the NCAA men’s tournament, but the officials let it go. Not long after, the guys in stripes weren’t so lax, whistling a disputed foul that sent the Cavaliers to the line for the winning free throws.
Some of the year’s most memorable games were decided by controversial calls – or, perhaps it would be more appropriate to say, the calls that didn’t get made.
Let’s take a look back at the top 10 games of 2019.
BAYOU BUNGLE
The Los Angeles Rams advanced to the Super Bowl with an overtime win against the host Saints that would not have been possible without an egregious mistake by the officials in the closing minutes of regulation.
Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman committed a blatant interference penalty with a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tommylee Lewis well before the pass arrived inside the Los Angeles 5-yard line, forcing the Saints to settle for Wil Lutz’s 31-yard field goal.
“I got away with one,” Robey-Coleman conceded afterward.
Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff had enough time to lead the Rams down the field for Greg Zuerlein’s tying field with 15 seconds remaining. Zuerlein then won it with a 57-yard kick in overtime, 26-23.
“It happened right there in front of the person who would be the one to make the call, and everyone in the stands saw it, everyone watching at home on TV saw it,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
In response to the uproar, the NFL changed its rules to allow video reviews of interference calls, though that has seemingly led to even more confusion and complaints this season.
Virginia basketball player Kyle Guy, center, and his teammates celebrate after the Cavaliers beat Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime on April 8 in Minneapolis to win the NCAA tournament. / AP photo by David J. PhillipFINAL FOUR TWO-STEP
One year after becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, Virginia appeared headed for more heartbreak in the NCAA tourney.
The Cavaliers squandered a 10-point lead in the final five minutes against Auburn – but then they managed to pull it out, thanks to a big helping hand from the officials.
Virginia’s Ty Jerome appeared to double-dribble for what could have been a decisive turnover – or Jerome might have been fouled before the mishandle. There was no whistle for either.
With 1.5 seconds left and in need of some magic, Virginia got the ball to Kyle Guy in the corner. He turned and fired as Samir Doughty, hands straight up in the air, bumped into Guy’s hip. The shot was short, bouncing off the rim as Auburn started to celebrate.
Game over? Nope.
Official James Breeding called a foul on Doughty, sending Guy to the free-throw line. He calmly knocked down all three shots to give Virginia a disputed 63-62 win. Two nights later, in another overtime thriller, the Cavaliers captured their first national title by beating Texas Tech.
“We kind of thought we had it sealed,” Auburn’s Bryce Brown said. “I just didn’t agree with the call.”
San Jose center Joe Pavelski, bottom center, is helped off the ice after getting injured during the third period of Game 7 of the Sharks’ first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights on April 8 in San Jose, Calif. / AP photo by Jeff ChiuPAVELSKI PAYBACK
The Tigers and the Saints weren’t the only teams to gripe about the officiating,
The NHL season ended for the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after a major penalty sparked the San Jose Sharks to a 5-4 overtime victory.
On a faceoff in San Jose’s offensive zone with Vegas leading 3-0 midway through the third period, Cody Eakin cross-checked Sharks captain Joe Pavelski in the chest. Paul Stastny then bumped Pavelski as he fell to the ice, his helmet slamming down. Pavelski was knocked out and bleeding on the ice.
The officials huddled as a dazed Pavelski was helped to the locker room. They gave Eakin a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct.
The Golden Knights were livid – especially after the Sharks erupted for four goals during those five minutes with an extra skater.
“They called five minutes for that?” Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “It’s a joke, that’s what it is.”
The Golden Knights tied the game with a goal late in regulation, but Barclay Goodrow’s overtime goal won it for the Sharks, 5-4.
“The boys got together and said this is for Pavs,” San Jose’s Joe Thornton said. “It was just a matter of will, and we willed that one for him.”
The Sharks became just the second team to overcome a three-goal deficit in the third period to win a Game 7.
As for the Golden Knights, they had to be content with a call from the NHL apologizing for a penalty that was too harsh.
Liverpool soccer fans celebrate after their team won a Champions League semifinal’s second leg 4-0 against FC Barcelona on May 7 at Anfield in Liverpool, England. / AP photo by Dave ThompsonMIRACLE AT ANFIELD
Add another entry to Liverpool’s long list of storied soccer comebacks.
This time, Lionel Messi and mighty Barcelona were on the receiving end in the semifinals of the European Champions League.
After romping to a 3-0 win in the first game of the home-and-home, total-goals series, Barcelona seemed a lock for the final. But back on their home turf at Anfield, Liverpool pulled off a stunning 4-0 victory that propelled the club to its sixth European title.
“This club has a big heart, and tonight the heart was pounding like crazy,” manager Juergen Klopp said. “You could feel it all over the world.”
Twenty-four hours later, Tottenham overcame a three-goal halftime deficit on the road, stunning Ajax in the other Champions League semifinal.
“We saw Liverpool last night,” Tottenham fullback Danny Rose said. “It goes to show it’s not over until it is over.”
England players mob Jofra Archer after he bowled the Super Over to win the Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s cricket ground on July 14 in London. / AP photo by Matt DunhamSUPER OVER
After more than nine stomach-churning hours, the first Super Over in Cricket World Cup history – and perhaps the most extraordinary over ever played – came down to one last ball.
England calmly prevailed in the fading sunlight of Lord’s as New Zealand’s desperate scramble to score what would have been the winning run came up short. So ended the home team’s agonizing 44-year wait to be crowned world champion of the sport it invented.
“The most ridiculous game of cricket to have ever been played,” said Jos Buttler, England’s wicket-keeper.
Countered New Zealand captain Kane Williamson: “The guys are shattered. It’s devastating.”
The Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket as the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler (23) watches during Game 6 of a second-round NBA playoff series on May 9 in Philadelphia. / AP photo by Chris SzagolaFOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL
Kawhi Leonard got the bounce. Then another. Then another. And, yes, one more.
Finally, the shot fell through, giving the Toronto Raptors a 92-90 victory that bounced the Philadelphia 76ers out of the NBA playoffs.
Leonard’s shot from the corner over Joel Embiid was the first winning buzzer-beater in a Game 7 in NBA history. The ball danced on the rim four times before dropping. It was quite a capper to Leonard’s 41-point masterpiece.
The Raptors would go on to win their first NBA title by beating the Golden State Warriors, who had won two straight championships and three of the past four.
“It was great,” Leonard said. “It was a blessing to be able to get to that point and make that shot and feel that moment.”
Megan Rapinoe (15) and U.S. teammate Alex Morgan celebrate after Rapinoe scored the opening goal on a penalty kick during the Women’s World Cup final against The Netherlands on July 7 at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, near Lyon, France. / AP photo by Francisco SecoMEGAN’S MOMENT
Megan Rapinoe capped a remarkable year of sporting excellence and social activism by leading the United States to its second straight Women’s World Cup title.
Rapinoe broke a scoreless tie in the final with a second-half penalty kick, and the Americans went on to beat the Netherlands 2-0.
Rapinoe won the Golden Ball as the top player and the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the month-long tournament, but her impact went far beyond the field. She sparred with President Donald Trump and was one of the leading voices on a squad that loudly demanded equal pay with the men’s team.
“We’re such a proud and strong and defiant group of women,” Rapinoe said.
Her trademark victory pose, looking skyward with arms outstretched, also became a worldwide sensation.
Japan’s Kenki Fukuoka scores a try during a Rugby World Cup Pool A game against Scotland on Oct. 13 at International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. / AP photo by Jae HongBRAVE BLOSSOMS
In the wake of Typhoon Hagibis, host Japan turned in a thoroughly inspiring performance at the Rugby World Cup in its final group stage match against Scotland.
A brilliant display by the team known as the “Brave Blossoms” gave them a big halftime lead. Then they held off a furious Scottish comeback to preserve a 28-21 victory.
Japan advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time. Even though the Japanese lost to eventual champion South Africa, their tournament run was just what their battered nation needed after the ferocious storm.
LSU nose tackle Tyler Shelvin carries quarterback Joe Burrow off the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., after the Tigers beat the host Crimson Tide on Nov. 10. / AP photo by John BazemoreBURROW BESTS TUA
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow propelled the Tigers to the College Football Playoff and himself to the Heisman Trophy with a dazzling display against Alabama counterpart Tua Tagovailoa and the host Crimson Tide in the sport’s game of the year – so far, at least.
Burrow passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns, answered challenge after challenge, and helped end LSU’s eight-year string of futility against the Crimson Tide.
After the Tigers’ 46-41 victory in early November, Burrow was carried off the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium by his teammates.
“We’ve finally got the tools that we need to beat those guys,” coach Ed Orgeron said. “To have a championship team, you’ve got to have a championship quarterback.”
Los Angeles Angels reliever Felix Pena, right, hugs starting pitcher Taylor Cole after they threw a combined-no hitter in a 13-0 win against the Seattle Mariners on July 12 in Anaheim, Calif. / AP photo by Marcio Jose SanchezANGEL ON THE PITCHER’S MOUND
In their first home game after the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, the Los Angeles Angels honored his memory with a combined no-hitter from Taylor Cole and Félix Peña in a 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
The Angels played a practically perfect game on the day before what would have been Skaggs’ 28th birthday.
“He was definitely looking over us tonight,” said Mike Trout, who contributed a 454-foot homer and six RBIs.
Later, officials ruled Skaggs’ died from an accidental drug overdose, prompting Major League Baseball to start testing for cocaine and opioids.