Chieftain February 2015 | Page 12

CHIEFTAIN Sports A Strange NFL Season Wraps Up By Luke Stehney Chieftain Staff The conclusion of Super Bowl XLIX marks the end of a great NFL season. This season was shadowed by spousalassault cases, child-assault cases, DUI cases, and strange league management policies. Big names like Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jr., J.J. Watt, Aaron RodTom Brady won his 4th Super Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP for the 3rd time. gers, Le’Veon Bell and Demarco Murray made major impacts when they were on racking up a total of five tackles. Odell for one play in one game, Detroit vs. the field. From free-agent movements, a Beckham, Jr., taken twelfth overall, had a Dallas: A controversial, pass-interference busy draft, and then a crazy regular seafantastic year, earning him the Rookie of non-call, when the referee picked up son, it was definitely a year to remember. the Year award. Other standouts from this the flag he threw. (Perhaps the referee For starters, free agency was very draft class include Mike Evans (7th), Tay- mistook it for the $100 bill he received busy. Darrelle Revis left the Buccaneers lor Lewan (11th) and Darqueze Dennard from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before to join the future champions, the Patri(24th). Eric Ebron (10th, by the Lions) and the game.) ots. DeMarcus Ware left the Cowboys Michael Sam (249th) stood out for reasons Other post season drama included to join Peyton Manning and the Broncos other than stellar play. the “deflate-gate” controversy, an alin Denver. Golden Tate left Seattle after The regular season was no different leged scandal involving members of the the Super Bowl and than any other Patriots deflating balls to win the AFC joined an electric 17-week NFL Championship Game against the Colts. Detroit Lions team season would The accusations were looked into and where he would be. Teams won ruled incidental. make a big impact on and lost while Tom Brady and the Patriots would the field. Four playthe standings go on to beat the defending champs ers signed franchise fell into place. from Seattle in the Super Bowl, 28-24. A tags this season: Greg Highlights comeback win for the MVP quarterback, Hardy (CAR), Jimmy of the season sealed with a goal-line interception. Graham (NO), Nick would include What a year it was! See you on Folk (NYJ) and Br