1/13
FILE — In this Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, file photo, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder listens to head coach Ron Rivera during a news conference at the team’s NFL football training facility, in Ashburn, Va. The NFL has fined the Washington Football Team $10 million and owner Dan Snyder is stepping away from day-to-day operations after an independent investigation into the organization’s workplace misconduct. The team was not stripped of any draft picks as part of the league’s discipline that was announced Thursday, July 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Dan Snyder’s reckoning
Unfortunately for the Washington Football Team and its fans, 2021 will be remembered as the year Dan Snyder’s misdeeds became more than just a local storyline.
Just two weeks ago, Snyder was the subject of a Washington Post report alleging an attempt to silence one of his accusers, which dropped at a time when he’s already in self-inflicted (allegedly) exile after bombshell reports of the toxic workplace culture he fostered.
This was far beyond a Washington story — it was one of the biggest scandals in all of sports in 2021 and sparked a nationwide cry for accountability that’s reached even the halls of Congress.
Unfortunately, the NFL has thus far ignored that cry. But hopefully, the outside pressure will eventually force the league’s hand and save Washington from its worst villain.
— Rob Woodfork
A year filled with high expectations for the Washington Spirit was almost derailed midway through its 2021 campaign. Spirit head coach Richie Burke was banned following an investigation into abusive behavior toward players. Meanwhile, reports of mismanagement from ownership, including turning a blind eye toward Burke’s actions, drove a fan and player protest calling for the sale of the team. Lastly, the team was forced to forfeit two matches after violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols. Despite all the controversies, the players came together to let their play do the talking. Under interim coach Kris Ward, the Spirit went on an unprovable run of eight victories in their final nine games to capture the club’s first-ever NWSL Championship. Heading to 2022, the Spirit’s depth and talent could have them poised to win it all again. With the league’s top goal scorer (Ashley Hatch), Goalkeeper of the year (Aubrey Bledsoe), and Rookie of the Year (Trinity Rodman) all returning, Washington could become a force to be reckoned with for years to come. — José Umaña ” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AP21328564291759-1880×1254.jpg”>3/13 Spirit’s tumultuous season ends with a championship
Washington Spirit players celebrate after defeating Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Championship soccer match Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Spirit’s tumultuous season ends with a championship
A year filled with high expectations for the Washington Spirit was almost derailed midway through its 2021 campaign.
Spirit head coach Richie Burke was banned following an investigation into abusive behavior toward players. Meanwhile, reports of mismanagement from ownership, including turning a blind eye toward Burke’s actions, drove a fan and player protest calling for the sale of the team. Lastly, the team was forced to forfeit two matches after violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
Despite all the controversies, the players came together to let their play do the talking. Under interim coach Kris Ward, the Spirit went on an unprovable run of eight victories in their final nine games to capture the club’s first-ever NWSL Championship.
Heading to 2022, the Spirit’s depth and talent could have them poised to win it all again. With the league’s top goal scorer (Ashley Hatch), Goalkeeper of the year (Aubrey Bledsoe), and Rookie of the Year (Trinity Rodman) all returning, Washington could become a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
— José Umaña
4/13
FILE — Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) dives to score a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers Kevin Minter (51) and Lavonte David (54) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Landover, Md., in this Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, file photo. Washington re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to an $8.75 million, two-year contract, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
The Taylor Heinicke roller coaster
Taylor Heinicke rose to fame in January when he battled Tom Brady and the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the end of the NFC Wild Card game before coming up short. A month prior to filling in for Alex Smith, he was famously sleeping on his sister’s couch and taking classes at Old Dominion University.
He left that game feeling pretty good about himself and figured he had earned another shot in the NFL. Washington thought so too, signing him in February to a two-year contract and put him in the mix to at least be a backup.
Fast forward to the second quarter of the season opener when Ryan Fitzpatrick went down, Heinicke was once again thrust into the game and hasn’t come out since. He’s taken the reigns of the now-competitive Washington Football Team and has it in the mix for a playoff spot. During a recent four-game winning streak, Heinicke threw seven touchdowns with only two interceptions. He also earned himself another $500,000 in incentives during the streak!
We don’t know how this season is going to end, but we do know that Taylor Heinicke is now a household name in Washington and around the NFL.
— George Wallace
In 2021, under the direction of first-year head coach Hernan Losada, D.C. United displayed a go-for-goal attitude, but ultimately fell short of its goal to return to the playoffs for the first time in two years. That does not mean it was a lost season. Losada arrived in D.C. from Belgium, where he had been coaching in January and wasted no time making it clear he lived and breathed the phrase “vamos por más.” (which is “let’s go for more” in the literal translation to English) From fitness to nutrition to play on the field, Losada wanted his players to do more and give more. The result was D.C. scoring 56 goals in 34 games, tied for third-highest scoring team in the league — trailing only MLS Cup finalists New York City F.C. and Portland. United’s identity is in place and now the challenge is to make it mean something long-term. — Dave Johnson ” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AP21109759203423-1880×1254.jpg”>6/13 The Losada era in DCU begins
FILE — In this April 17, 2021 file photo, D.C. United head coach Hernan Losada looks on during an MLS soccer match against the New York City FC, in Washington. This is Losada’s first season coaching in MLS. (AP Photo/Will Newton, File)
The Losada era in DCU begins
In 2021, under the direction of first-year head coach Hernan Losada, D.C. United displayed a go-for-goal attitude, but ultimately fell short of its goal to return to the playoffs for the first time in two years.
That does not mean it was a lost season. Losada arrived in D.C. from Belgium, where he had been coaching in January and wasted no time making it clear he lived and breathed the phrase “vamos por más.” (which is “let’s go for more” in the literal translation to English)
From fitness to nutrition to play on the field, Losada wanted his players to do more and give more. The result was D.C. scoring 56 goals in 34 games, tied for third-highest scoring team in the league — trailing only MLS Cup finalists New York City F.C. and Portland. United’s identity is in place and now the challenge is to make it mean something long-term.
— Dave Johnson
On paper, the Mystics looked like a potentially dominant team — two former MVPs, a legendary three-point shooter and several players with championship experience. Unfortunately, injuries didn’t allow that to translate on the court. The Mystics still had a shot at a return to the postseason in their final game but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Minnesota to finish 12-20, and outside the playoff picture for the first time since 2016. Coach and general manager Mike Thibault, 70, contracted COVID-19 and missed the final stretch. Face-of-the-franchise Elena Delle Donne had a lingering back injury that robbed her of all but three games. Prize free agent signing Alysha Clark suffered a season-ending injury before even making her Washington debut. Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP from the Mystics’ championship season, sat out all of the 2021 campaign. In fact, Theresa Plaisance was the only player to appear in all 32 games for the injury-riddled Mystics. The biggest bright spot was Tina Charles, who set a slew of records on her way to a league-best 23.4 points per game that also ranks sixth-best in WNBA history. That was arguably topped just last week by the Mystics landing the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft for the second time in franchise history. If Charles can come close to last season’s monster numbers alongside a healthy Delle Donne and the Mystics can get an immediate contribution from whomever they select with the No. 1 overall pick, a return to the postseason — and maybe even the Finals — is in the cards for the 2022 Mystics. — Rob Woodfork ” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mystics_Lynx_Basketball_80652-1880×1254.jpg”>8/13 Mystics miss the playoffs for the first time in 5 years
Washington Mystics head coach Mike Thibault watches as his team plays the Minnesota Lynx at a WNBA basketball game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 93-75. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Mystics miss the playoffs for the first time in 5 years
On paper, the Mystics looked like a potentially dominant team — two former MVPs, a legendary three-point shooter and several players with championship experience.
Unfortunately, injuries didn’t allow that to translate on the court.
The Mystics still had a shot at a return to the postseason in their final game but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Minnesota to finish 12-20, and outside the playoff picture for the first time since 2016.
Coach and general manager Mike Thibault, 70, contracted COVID-19 and missed the final stretch. Face-of-the-franchise Elena Delle Donne had a lingering back injury that robbed her of all but three games.
Prize free agent signing Alysha Clark suffered a season-ending injury before even making her Washington debut.
Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP from the Mystics’ championship season, sat out all of the 2021 campaign. In fact, Theresa Plaisance was the only player to appear in all 32 games for the injury-riddled Mystics.
The biggest bright spot was Tina Charles, who set a slew of records on her way to a league-best 23.4 points per game that also ranks sixth-best in WNBA history. That was arguably topped just last week by the Mystics landing the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft for the second time in franchise history.
If Charles can come close to last season’s monster numbers alongside a healthy Delle Donne and the Mystics can get an immediate contribution from whomever they select with the No. 1 overall pick, a return to the postseason — and maybe even the Finals — is in the cards for the 2022 Mystics.
— Rob Woodfork
Maryland, Virginia, and Virginia Tech each went 6-6 this past season (Navy went 4-8 playing a schedule featuring 11 bowl teams, most in the nation), teaching us there is more than one road to .500. The Hokies made the biggest opening splash (a 17-10 win over preseason No. 10 North Carolina) before losing four straight games against Power Five Conference teams and wound up firing head coach Justin Fuente after a 5-5 start. Maryland became the hot team by going 4-0 in September before allowing 51 points on Oct. 1, which started a slide of six losses in their next seven games. Even with defensive issues early (allowing an average of 39 points in their first four ACC games), Virginia was able to start 6-2, and was in control of their path to the Coastal Division title as late as November 20. Naturally, the Cavaliers finished with an 0-4 thud, Virginia Tech split its two games under interim coach J.C. Price and Maryland beat Rutgers on the final day of the regular season to punch its first postseason ticket in five years. On the suddenly fired-up coaching carousel, the Hokies hired Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry while Virginia hired Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to replace the surprisingly departed Bronco Mendenhall. But regardless of what happens in December (Maryland meets Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl and Virginia plays SMU in the Fenway Bowl), Navy owns the best finish to the season by beating Army as the two schools are now 4-4 over the last eight years of the series. Even Stevens, indeed. — Dave Preston ” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GettyImages-1236245006.jpg”>10/13 Even Steven in college football
PROVO, UT — OCTOBER 30: Bronco Mendenhall head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers watches a replay in the final minutes of their game against the BYU Cougars October 30, 2021 at the LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Even Steven in college football
Maryland, Virginia, and Virginia Tech each went 6-6 this past season (Navy went 4-8 playing a schedule featuring 11 bowl teams, most in the nation), teaching us there is more than one road to .500.
The Hokies made the biggest opening splash (a 17-10 win over preseason No. 10 North Carolina) before losing four straight games against Power Five Conference teams and wound up firing head coach Justin Fuente after a 5-5 start.
Maryland became the hot team by going 4-0 in September before allowing 51 points on Oct. 1, which started a slide of six losses in their next seven games. Even with defensive issues early (allowing an average of 39 points in their first four ACC games), Virginia was able to start 6-2, and was in control of their path to the Coastal Division title as late as November 20.
Naturally, the Cavaliers finished with an 0-4 thud, Virginia Tech split its two games under interim coach J.C. Price and Maryland beat Rutgers on the final day of the regular season to punch its first postseason ticket in five years. On the suddenly fired-up coaching carousel, the Hokies hired Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry while Virginia hired Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott to replace the surprisingly departed Bronco Mendenhall.
But regardless of what happens in December (Maryland meets Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl and Virginia plays SMU in the Fenway Bowl), Navy owns the best finish to the season by beating Army as the two schools are now 4-4 over the last eight years of the series.
Even Stevens, indeed.
— Dave Preston
On March 20, the NCAA announced that the men’s basketball first round tournament game between 7-seed Oregon and 10-seed VCU in Indianapolis was declared a no-contest due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Rams program. This would end up being the NCAA Tournament’s only cancellation due to COVID-19. The Rams received multiple positive tests within the 48 hours leading up to the game. The team flew home late Saturday night, with those who tested positive traveling separately. It was a devastating blow to a VCU Rams team that was coming off a 19-7 regular season and a 74-65 loss to St. Bonaventure in the Atlantic 10 title game. The Rams were led by eventual NBA first round pick Bones Hyland, who was also the Atlantic 10 player of the year. In a season like no other college basketball has ever seen, the Rams had no COVID-related pauses in their own program the entire season prior to the NCAA Tournament, while many of their Atlantic 10 rivals had to go on pause for weeks at a time that ended up either canceling or rescheduling games. — Scott Jackson ” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GettyImages-1307074528.jpg”>12/13 VCU derailed by COVID
DAYTON, OHIO — MARCH 14: Nah’Shon Hyland #5 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams puts up a shot against Jalen Adaway #33 of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the second half during the championship game of the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2021 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
VCU derailed by COVID
On March 20, the NCAA announced that the men’s basketball first round tournament game between 7-seed Oregon and 10-seed VCU in Indianapolis was declared a no-contest due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Rams program. This would end up being the NCAA Tournament’s only cancellation due to COVID-19.
The Rams received multiple positive tests within the 48 hours leading up to the game. The team flew home late Saturday night, with those who tested positive traveling separately.
It was a devastating blow to a VCU Rams team that was coming off a 19-7 regular season and a 74-65 loss to St. Bonaventure in the Atlantic 10 title game. The Rams were led by eventual NBA first round pick Bones Hyland, who was also the Atlantic 10 player of the year.
In a season like no other college basketball has ever seen, the Rams had no COVID-related pauses in their own program the entire season prior to the NCAA Tournament, while many of their Atlantic 10 rivals had to go on pause for weeks at a time that ended up either canceling or rescheduling games.
— Scott Jackson
some of the biggest names in sports demonstrated the importance of prioritizing one’s “mentals” (to quote the great philosopher Marshawn Lynch).
The highlight was Simone Biles, who opted out of multiple Olympic gymnastics competitions during the 2020 Summer Games. Before that, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open and avoided the stress and anxiety of dealing with the media.
NFL receiver Calvin Ridley took time off during the season to focus on his mental health, just one of several NFL players to work to remove the stigma surrounding the need to get help when struggling and taking the necessary time to do so.
If 2021 taught us anything valuable — and 2020, for that matter — it’s that it’s ok to not be ok. Athletes were at the forefront of that lesson.
— Rob Woodfork
Editor’s note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. (800) 273-8255
” src=”https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/US-Olympics_The_Extra_Pressure_04469-1880×1254.jpg”>13/13
FILE — In this July 27, 2021 file photo, Simone Biles, of the United States, watches gymnasts perform after she exited the team final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo. Biles and Naomi Osaka are prominent young Black women under the pressure of a global Olympic spotlight that few human beings ever face. But being a young Black woman — which, in American life, comes with its own built-in pressure to perform — entails much more than meets the eye. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Athletes’ mental health
This wasn’t necessarily a D.C. sports story but it certainly effects area athletes of all ages and disciplines.
At a time when mental health became a crucial topic in America amid a global pandemic that isolated millions, some of the biggest names in sports demonstrated the importance of prioritizing one’s “mentals” (to quote the great philosopher Marshawn Lynch).
The highlight was Simone Biles, who opted out of multiple Olympic gymnastics competitions during the 2020 Summer Games. Before that, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open and avoided the stress and anxiety of dealing with the media.
NFL receiver Calvin Ridley took time off during the season to focus on his mental health, just one of several NFL players to work to remove the stigma surrounding the need to get help when struggling and taking the necessary time to do so.
If 2021 taught us anything valuable — and 2020, for that matter — it’s that it’s ok to not be ok. Athletes were at the forefront of that lesson.
— Rob Woodfork
Editor’s note: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. (800) 273-8255
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