With the decade coming to a close, it is important to remember the most important events, more specifically, the defining sports moments. This is a compilation of the top 10 most memorable sports moments of the past decade. 

Our list is based on two basic principles: memorability and unpredictability. The first and most important aspect of any sports moment is memorability by the general majority. For instance, if you were to ask anyone about a certain moment on this list they would surely remember it, regardless of the sport they are a fan of. Unpredictability is the second factor, as it is much more memorable and exciting to see an underdog or unexpected team win or pull off an upset. Overall, this list compiles the top 10 sports moments of the decade.

4. Malcolm Butler Interception

The Malcolm Butler interception is one of the craziest plays in Super Bowl and NFL history. It was Super Bowl XLIX and it was a hotly contested matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks. 

The 2014-2015 season of the NFL had been littered with crazy moments in the postseason, such as the Dez Bryant “non-catch” and the Seahawks comeback against the Packers, but the craziest had yet to come. 

With a minute left in the game, Russell Wilson threw a ball downfield, trying to find Jermaine Kearse who was being covered by Butler. Butler deflected the pass, but miraculously Kearse had bobbled and ended up catching the ball. 

The Seahawks had the ball in a prime position to score. After two unsuccessful plays, the Seahawks had 20 seconds left on the clock and they had the ball on the Patriots one-yard line. 

Instead of utilizing Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks threw the ball. Russell Wilson targeted Ricardo Lockette on a slant route, but Malcolm Butler made a brilliant read and intercepted the ball, which maintained the Patriots the 28-24 lead, and gave them their fourth super bowl.

3. Cubs come back and break the “Curse of the Billy Goat”

The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016 was a feat more impressive than just a 3-1 comeback. In a best of seven series, this sort of comeback was astonishing, especially considering the Cubs had not won a World Series in over 100 years, due to the “Curse of the Billy Goat” which began when a Cubs fan in attendance at their World Series game all the way back in 1945 decided to bring his pet goat to the field. When other fans near him became annoyed by the odor, they asked him to leave; when he refused, security kicked him out. Before his dismissal, he declared the Cubs wouldn’t win again for 100 years. 

The curse lasted until 2016 when the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in seven games. The defense was led by star pitchers Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, each posting less than 3.1 ERA through the series. Additionally, Aroldis Chapman asserted himself as one of the best closers in the league posting a 1.01 ERA. The offense of the team came from Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, each hitting upwards of 30 HR in the series. The breaking of the curse was celebrated by loyal Cubs fans who had been waiting for their victory to come.