TENNIS

Serena Williams was named the 2015 “Sportsperson of the Year” by Sports Illustrated. Williams posted, “This year was spectacular for me. For Sports Illustrated to recognize my hard work, my dedication, and my sheer determination gives me hope to continue on and do better.” At 34 years old, Williams won 53 of 56 matches and remained ranked #1 ever week. Congratulations Serena!

FOOTBALL

In the NFL, the football Gods must truly want to challenge the Patriots this year.  In the past 2 months, they’ve already lost their up-and-coming phenom running back Dion Lewis, then it was Brady’s trusted receiver Julian Edelman, and then Gronkowsky suffered an injury that will keep him from playing at 100% the rest of the season.  Now it has been reported that their starting running back LeGarrett Blount is out for the season.  The Pats are still in line to make a deep run in the playoffs, but it won’t be easy without a healthy team.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens season is officially over, but that didn’t keep them from signing troubled quarterback Ryan Mallett.  Mallett was cut from the Houston Texans 2 months ago for failing to make a team flight.  Apparently, he was such a head case, the Texans couldn’t deal with him.  Mallett has said that he has dealt with all of his off-the-field issues, and now feels ready to win some games with the Ravens.  The Ravens desperately need Mallett, as they already lost their starter Joe Flacco for the season, as well as back-up Matt Schaub for the next few weeks.  Quarterbacking the Ravens is likely Mallett’s last chance to prove he belongs in this league.

BASKETBALL

In the NBA, surprise surprise, Dwight Howard is unhappy again.  He said that he was tired of playing second fiddle to James Harden.  The odd thing about this statement is that the reason he left Orlando for Houston is that he wanted to be surrounded by a winning team so he could get to a championship.  Howard always wants attention, however and it’s likely the Rockets will trade him, as that is bad for chemistry for the rest of the team. It’s possible Howard will be picked up by another team such as Boston or Sacramento.

FOOTBALL

In the NFL, Cincinnati Bengals fans were devastated after watching their star quarterback Andy Dalton go down with a thumb injury.  Early reports had him “out for the season”.  The Bengals were thinking this was just their typical bad luck.  It has been as been reported that Dalton does not need surgery and could actually be ready to play again in time for the playoffs.  The question is… can back-up QB AJ McCarron get the Bengals the wins they need to get a first round bye.  The Bengals are hoping they at least get a home playoff game.

BASEBALL

Kansas City Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto appears to be the latest “gun for hire” in the league.   After winning the World Series with the Royals, Cueto’s services are now for sale, and the San Francisco Giants came calling.   Cueto signed a 6-year $130 million contract with the team. With Cueto joining a staff that already includes stars Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner, the Giants could be very tough to stop.

BASKETBALL

Finally, in the NBA, the Sacramento Kings Rajon Rondo is in hot water after using a gay slur towards referee Bill Kennedy.  Rondo was suspended for a game but then after the incident, Kennedy revealed he is gay. Kennedy told Yahoo,  “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man.” After issues with both Kobe Bryant and Joakim Noah in the past, the NBA is trying to rid themselves of  any homophobia and many think Rondo’s punishment should have been more severe.