2009 AJC Sports Story of the Year
We’re taking nominations for the 2009 AJC Sports Story of the Year.
As a starting point, here are the top 10 most-read sports stories on AJC.com through December 7. (Page views rounded off).
1. Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, wife get naked for PETA ad (175,000).
2. Steve McNair found dead (150,000).
3. Uga VII dies (123,000).
4. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno declare for NFL draft (120,000).
5. Steve Spurrier banned from recruiting at Tucker High School (117,000).
6. UGA defensive coordinator Willie Martinez fired (110,000).
7. John Smoltz signs with Red Sox (102,000).
8. Ken Griffey Jr. turns down Braves, signs with Seattle (91,000).
9. Should UGA shake hands with Oklahoma State? (86,000).
10. Ex-Falcon quarterback Randy Johnson dies (85, 000).
Again, those are just a starting point.
Let us know which sport stories rocked your world in 2009 by posting your nominations below.
The vaunted AJC.com sports staff will be taking your nominations until 4 p.m. EST, Wednesday.
We will then narrow the candidates down to five and open a poll for you guys to vote on the 2009 AJC Sports Story of the Year.
Each week we will eliminate the story with the fewest votes until we are left with the winner. Novel approach, we know.
Happy holidays from AJC.com.
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51 comments Add your comment
ken
December 8th, 2009
6:50 pm
Hello its, its uh, Tiger….
Saint Dork
December 8th, 2009
7:01 pm
Dawgs destroy Tech…
((((((((350 yards rushing)))))))
((((((((9 – 1))))))))))
kinney taylor
December 8th, 2009
7:10 pm
Tech wins ACC, duh!
heyberto
December 8th, 2009
7:54 pm
UGA VII
gcs
December 8th, 2009
8:56 pm
Alabama roughs up Gators for SEC title
royalx
December 8th, 2009
8:57 pm
TIGER
Andy Robinson
December 8th, 2009
9:04 pm
I believe the AJC series of stories about Coach Jeremy Williams Gereenville,GA. is by far the story of the year.He is a profile in courage.His story is one for the ages.It is Awe-Inspiring!
As you know Coach Williams suffers from ALS(Lou Gehrigs Disease).He led his team to an undefeated regular season 10-0 record.
I wish to recommend Coach Williams for the Ga. High School Football Coach of The Year Award.
I also wish to recommend Coach Williams for The National High School Football Coach of The Year Award.If you or anyone else at AJC believes Coach Williams should be The National Coach of The Year…please make recommendations by contacting the National Publications in support of him.
1) letters@usatoday.com
attn: Jim Nalley
2)illinoisbestweekly@yahoo.com
att:Rob Sherrill
3)www.maxpreps.com
attn: Dave Kryder
attn: Steve Montoya
attn:Al Woodall
Thanks for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Andy Robinson
LizDawg
December 8th, 2009
9:28 pm
30-24 Caleb King – Untouched all night long
WE RUN THIS STATE!
George
December 8th, 2009
9:48 pm
Without question, the McNair is the most tragic and difficult story of the year. The guy had it all, and he’s gone…..poof!
Matt
December 9th, 2009
12:04 am
I agree with Andy. Coach Williams’ story was awesome, and although his team didn’t win it all, he taught us all a life lesson about never giving in. I’ve never met the man, but I have a feeling the world would be a lesser place without him. Coach Jeremy Williams for Story of the Year!
Doc
December 9th, 2009
2:46 am
Tiger Woods
Steven Caswell
December 9th, 2009
4:29 am
Georgia Tech wins ACC championship, ranked in the top 10.
Tabloid tagline or newsworthy ?
December 9th, 2009
6:55 am
1.)Bobby Cox to retire after 2010 Season.
2.)Gridiron teams in reversal of fortune on North Ave & Athens
3.)Coach Williams
4.)NOTHING about what Mike Vick did in prison today is newsworthy
5.) Braves decide NOT to resign Smoltz or Glavine,our iconic pitchers.
JimC
December 9th, 2009
7:01 am
Georgia Tech wins ACC football championship
Pete Robinson
December 9th, 2009
7:34 am
Coach Jeremy Williams stories’ by Michael Carvell and Steve Hummer were the best sports stories run by the AJC this year for several reasons:
1) They were discovered and reported solely by the AJC reporters.
2) They serve as a teaching model for every competitive athlete about courage, determination, character, and values.
3) They are an example of the best of sports reporting and editing……..were it not for the AJC, this story would be confined to a small town, now the entire state is learning about it.
4) No one can read those stories and not reflect upon whether they have the kind of character shown by Jeremy Williams.
Pete Robinson
December 9th, 2009
7:35 am
Add one more great story for AJC:
COACH JEREMY WILLIAMS
GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR
Rocky
December 9th, 2009
8:42 am
Sweet Win Alabama
Bama runs over 800 lb. gator and skins it for appetizer, thus being the team that ended Tebow’s amazing run in college football that NOBODY thought was possible.
Play ‘em again, Bama wins again, time to move on to slaughter a longhorn for main entree. McCoy’s turn to get ready for the NFL as he faces a defense that many of them will be playing on Sunday’s.
Karl Childers
December 9th, 2009
9:44 am
Tiger Woods’ “sins and transgressions.”
JW
December 9th, 2009
10:59 am
DOGS STING BEES.
Jackette
December 9th, 2009
11:04 am
Jackets win ACC Championship!
No brainer
December 9th, 2009
11:24 am
The only reason the Gonzalez story is first is because there is the word “naked” in the title.
GTGIRL
December 9th, 2009
11:33 am
Georgia Tech wins ACC Championship!!!
Rip
December 9th, 2009
11:36 am
what about bobby cox signs on for another year of mediocrity?
Bill Kidd
December 9th, 2009
11:41 am
How is Tiger Woods not on this list? its a story that will continue through 2010, at the rate it is going
Ed
December 9th, 2009
11:41 am
Adam reunited with Chipper. Adam teaches Chipper how to hit better.
dean
December 9th, 2009
11:45 am
From the list given, Smoltz signing with the Red Sox. Otherwise, it’s obviously Tiger Woods’ dilemma.
Hollywould
December 9th, 2009
11:47 am
Tiger
Miss Mc
December 9th, 2009
11:48 am
The untimely.,unfortunate,and un-necessary death of
Steve McNair
Beth
December 9th, 2009
11:49 am
I like the story about the Greenville, GA football team and coach. Very uplifting even though they lost in the playoffs. We need more positive stories like this during such trying times.
woofer
December 9th, 2009
11:57 am
UGA upsets GT.
JPerry
December 9th, 2009
12:15 pm
Top GA related sporting stories:
-Jeremy Williams
-Tech winning ACC
-Georgia beating Tech
Top nation Sporting stories:
-Super Bowl XLIII
-Steve McNair death
-Usain Bolt, two new world records
Mrs. Mc
December 9th, 2009
12:16 pm
Definitely Jeremy Williams, coach of the Greenville High School football team in Greenville, Ga. He suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease. His story is one of inspiration and amazing faith!
JGalan
December 9th, 2009
12:35 pm
-Jeremy Williams
-UGA unbelievable football upset of Ga. Tech
-Tech Winning ACC
-Pugnacious, Stubborn Paul Johnson being named ACC Coach of the Year
-Chris Hatcher fired at Georgia Southern
-Willie Martinez and Jon Fabris being fired at Georgia
JGalan
December 9th, 2009
12:38 pm
–Braves mishandling of Tom Glavine situation
–Braves letting Mark Teixeria get away to the Yankees
—Tiger Woods unbelievable marital blowup and the fallout which will never stop
blah
December 9th, 2009
12:44 pm
There may be local sports stories with a larger impact, but Steve Hummer’s follow-up report on Randy Johnson and the isolation he lived in during the final years of his life was one of the most well-written sports articles I’ve read in a long time.
Newnan Jacket
December 9th, 2009
12:56 pm
-Tech winning the ACC and going to the Orange Bowl
-
Deanna
December 9th, 2009
1:05 pm
Georgia Tech’s ACC Championship
Jerry
December 9th, 2009
1:06 pm
Paul Johnson winning the ACC Championship in just his second year as Head Coach plus being named ACC Coach of the Year for the second straight year.
Madjane
December 9th, 2009
1:53 pm
Definitely Jeremy Williams. Who cares about a football game between two mediocre state rivals?. This is a story about life, love, and facing adversity. One of the most inspiring stories I’ve read in a while.
Stephen Hawkins
December 9th, 2009
2:58 pm
Forgot that Tiger will trump them all. Should have waited closer to the end of the year to release this.
E Dorman
December 10th, 2009
11:11 am
Definitely Coach Jeremy Williams. The other stories pale in comparison to his perseverance, faith, and inner strength as he fights a battle with his own body daily.
M. Smith
December 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
The story of Coach Williams is definitely the winner!! I used to be one of his students and he was a great role model then and deserves all the recognition that he can get.
M. Hicks
December 15th, 2009
10:07 am
Jeremy Williams story is very motivating and from the time I begin to read it, i felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. For those of us who feel we are weak and weary and cant take anymore; we need to read Jeremy’s story of encouragement. He is a true fighter and most of all a believer and its awesome the way God can use a willing vessel! Definitely #1 story!
M. Hicks
December 15th, 2009
10:23 am
Definitely #1 story would have to be Coach Jeremy Williams. His story was so inspiring and uplifting. From the time I started reading until completed, I had chills. God never puts more on us than we can bare and that is hard to accept from time to time but when you see someone with a story like Jeremy’s it makes you thankful for what you do have. I do not know Jeremy, but I am thankful for him and the life he lives. (Many people talk the talk and never walk the walk). I give God all the praise for Jeremy and his family and the calling they have upon their lives. Awesome Story!
Amber Richter
December 15th, 2009
5:59 pm
Soooo I can’t believe my cousin is up there with the ranks of Moreno and Stafford… I am so proud of you, Jacob, Josie, and Jenny… and don’t worry– I will always vote for you over UGA (that’s sayin something from a true dog fan!). Love you tons see you soon! Amber Richter
Nancy Abney
December 15th, 2009
8:18 pm
Another vote for Jeremy Williams story. Jeremy has made a postive difference in the lives of all his players.
V Duncan
December 18th, 2009
10:25 am
Inspirational story of Coach Williams
Kathy M
December 18th, 2009
3:22 pm
Definitely the stories about Coach Jeremy Williams and his team. The stories have it all – faith, perseverance, suspense, loyalty, spirit and love.
Tressie Tkacz
January 15th, 2010
3:18 pm
Thanks for this excellent post. I definitely liked every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked and will be checking back.
gold coast apartments
June 16th, 2010
11:36 pm
I’m with you right through this. You have a basic right to your opinion, and you must never let anyone tell you otherwise. Well done!