Now that the 2022 NFL season is nearly over and we are all looking forward to Super Bowl LVII, let’s take a look at my picks for the top 15 events of this past season (in no particular order).
1. The Washington Football team changing its team name to the Commanders:
Do you remember that since the beginning of football itself, the team had the name “Redskins”, and the sports media deemed it offensive? Every single year, they advocated that team Owner Dan Snyder change the name. Well, Mr. Snyder said “no” for the longest time, but he eventually gave in and changed the name to the “Washington Football team” in the summer of 2020.
It did not stop there, as for two years the team was looking for a new permeant name as part of their efforts to change the culture and the stigma of the franchise. After a long intense search, they were officially named the “Washington Commanders” on Feb 2. 2022. The franchise went with the name of an Indigenous Tribe for so long, that now it has been changed to more of a patriotic, “Top Gun” Maverick style name.
2. Changing the Kickoff Return Rule
Before the Kickoff rule changed, there weren’t as many returns going for a touchback. Also, more kicks were actually fielded out of the end-zone. Some even went all the way to the ba-ha. First, they tried to move the kickoff from the 35, back to the 30, and vice versa. Then, when the number of touchbacks in the league increased, the NFL implemented a “no running” start from the other special teams players. This led to at least some returns, but still, no kickoff-punt return TD’s.
Then on Jan 2. 2023, Buffalo Bills returner/running back Nyheim Hines did the unthinkable. First, he returned the opening kickoff against the Patriots for a 96-yard touchdown. Then in the third quarter, Hines did it again with a 101-yard kickoff return all the way to the house. It marked the first-time in three-years and three days that a kickoff was taken all the way to the crib for six.
3. Amazon seizes the airwaves for Thursday Night Football
When is Amazon not acquiring or making deals to better promote its brand? During week 2 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, many cable viewers noticed that the NFL network was not bringing it. And why was that the case? Amazon struck an agreement with the NFL to become the first main streaming platform to air weekly games every Thursday night during primetime.
The only way to watch these exciting games was customers had to have an Amazon Prime subscription. The era of broadcasting on cable TV is over and those days are gone. Thanks Jeff Bezos for your inclusivity and your warm welcome into the pro football ranks.
4. SOFI Stadium Opened Up and brought new possibilities to the state of California
With the state of California in shambles and a mass number of people fleeing the state, the Rams and the Chargers needed more than just a fancy new stadium. They welcomed the idea of building it in suburban Los Angeles in a town called Inglewood.
The new stadium would be called SOFI Stadium, and what a beauty it is on the inside and out. It features a huge swimming pool outside the stadium and inside contains a huge video score board, some large corporate and fun suites as well as a loud PA announcer chanting, “Whose House” at every introduction pre-kickoff.
More importantly, it brings a stable and state-of-the-art home field advantage for both LA teams and prosperity to Inglewood in a regressing state like the golden state.
5. Mahomes and the Chiefs squeak out classic thriller with thirteen seconds left
Even as a sad Bills fans whom remembers this game, I’m well aware enough to know this was a classic finish between two rising quarterback stars. This was the game where playoff (WR) Gabe Davis was born, but it was also the birth of a rivalry between Bills passer Josh Allen and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs tied the game on a field goal sending it to overtime. Right after the coin toss, Mahomes drove the Chiefs down the length of the field where (TE) Travis Kelce caught the pass for the walk-off touchdown in OT.
Right after this game was played, the NFL announced that starting in the 2023 NFL playoffs, after the first team who scores a touchdown, the opposing team earns a chance to match it. If they fail, the team who originally scores first wins.
6. Minnesota Vikings historical comeback vs. Indianapolis Colts
There are two unique gentleman on the Minnesota Vikings and their names are Kevin O’Connell and Kirk Cousins. Together, with their team they came up with an incredible scheme to outlast the Colts. The Purple and Gold were down 33-0 at the half only to rally and beat the horseshoes 39-36 in OT.
The Vikings were a team of fate and destiny in 2022. They had been pulling out late comeback wins in the fourth-quarter all year long, but this one was like no other. It finally broke the Bills-Oilers record of a 32- point comeback in the 1992 AFC Wildcard Playoffs. The 33-point comeback is now the largest comeback in NFL history. How about those Vikings?
7. Deshaun Watson and his topsy turvy trade/suspension to the Cleveland Browns
In 2022, the Cleveland Browns made headlines by trading for Deshaun Watson. The former Houston Texans quarterback didn’t arrive to the Dawg pound without some baggage though. One of the greatest quarterbacks at Clemson, the national champion passer was accused by 23+ different women of sexual assault and one of them included a former massage therapists of Watson’s in Nia Lewis.
Before the season started, the Brownies already traded franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. Watson was supposed to be the $230 million savior of the franchise. But then, bombshell news broke that Watson was going to be suspended for 11 games and his first game back would be against his former team, the Texans.
Watson did pay his dues and did win a start on Sat. Dec. 17, 2022 against the Baltimore Ravens (13-3). He also showed flashes of promise and if they can get a full-year out of him without any more problems, then could the Browns make the playoffs next year?
8. The incredible connection of the Diggs brothers in the NFL
Here’s a story of two talented brothers who love and share a passion for football. They both love the game tremendously, but more importantly, they share a unique family bond. (WR) Stefon for the Buffalo Bills, has emerged as one of the best wide receiver in today’s NFL who has a unique character on and off the field. He loves having his face near the camera and loves having his picture taken.
Meanwhile, younger brother (CB) Trevon for the Dallas Cowboys comes from the same Christian faith as big brother Stefon. They both put their faith in god to show them the way towards their football journey and their personal lives. You can see their mother in the stands each week cheering on her son’s, although, I’m not sure how she decides what game she is going to attend each week, maybe she flips a coin, or goes where the weather is warmer.
And that faith has been passed down to Trevon’s little son, Aidan who says he loves his dad and tells his fans that he loves Jesus and he loves watching his dad play.
9. Tyreek Hill to Miami with his new BFF in Tua Tagovailoa
Welcome to a new reality show in the Sunshine state. But instead of Kourtney and Khloe from The Kardashians, it’s Tyreek and Tua taking their talents to Miami. In March of 2022 when Tyreek was traded to the Miami Dolphins, he already was hyping up his new quarterback. He was telling everybody that Mahomes had a better arm than Tua, but Tua was more accurate than Mahomes. This was a bold take, but Hill felt it needed to be addressed.
“I’ve had a chance to see Tua throw the ball, to myself,” Hill said on episode one of his, “It needed to be said podcast.”
While some might have thought it was a stretch, the stats from 2021 prove it.
Tua’s analytical completion percentage was a 66.3 while Mahomes was closely behind with a 66.2.
In 2021, The Dolphins quarterback threw a 67.8 completion percentage while the Chiefs star threw a 66.3.
Tua may have been more accurate, but still, Mahomes is in the Super Bowl without Hill and the Dolphins lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wildcard race with Tua.
10. One big mistake leads to huge consequences for Henry Ruggs III
This story is very sad to write about. Raider’s Nation remembers what happened to the career of a very talented Receiver from Alabama. Henry Ruggs III was still a skilled number two receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders. He had everything going for him and he was enjoying life in Sin City.
But then, Ruggs made a life-changing disastrous mistake that ruined his football career forever. Ruggs was driving his car very intoxicated and then crashed it driving 156 mph into a random person’s car. Sadly, he killed a women named Tina Tinter and her dog. He is beating himself up for a mistake he knows cost him his livelihood.
11. Davante Adams bonding in Vegas with buddy Derek Carr
Las Vegas (WR) Davante Adams and (QB) Derek Carr share a incredible bond that goes way back to college. The quarterback and the receiver were teammates at Fresno State College and both of them put up incredible numbers.
They both went their separate ways in the NFL, when in the 2014 NFL draft, Carr was selected by the Raiders and Adams was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round. While Carr was putting up numbers and stats with the Raiders, Adams was too busy balling out for Hall of Fame bound quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
During free agency of 2022, fate brought the once collegiate teammates back together. On March 18, Adams signed a five-year, $141.25 million contract, reuniting him with fellow Fresno State Bulldog teammate Derek Carr.
The two had some friction early in the year as the Raiders stumbled out to a 2-6 start. But when Carr was benched for backup Jarrett Stidham, Adams showed his true support and backed up his teammate when he required it.
12. A rare look at the most Interesting position in the game – Long Snapper
The position that seems to keep making headlines every year is the guy who holds the ball and snaps it during punts and kick-offs. 2022 was another year in the rise of Long Snappers, and before you judge what they do, think about this.
A franchise quarterback makes hundreds of millions of dollars if they have the status of Tom Brady, Big Ben, or Josh Allen. If that quarterback stays healthy, they can make bunches of cash playing the position for up to a few decades.
A long snapper can play for many years, but makes about $100,000 just to snap the ball during a fourth down punt or a field goal. Basically, you can make a good living making $100,000 as an NFL long snapper for many, many years in the league. You could stay in the league longer because of less wear and tear on your body as a quarterback would receive, even though it doesn’t pay $1,0000,000 of dollars.
13. From “Mr. Irrelevant” to starting in the NFC Championship Game
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was selected last by the San Francisco 49ers earning him the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant”. What 49ers fans didn’t realize that what they were about to get was a budding potential franchise guy.
Purdy made his first regular season start against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs. Purdy managed the game very well and dominated the Bucs 35-7, earning Purdy his first win.
Purdy’s big moments came in the 2022 NFC playoffs with wins over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wildcard Round and a narrow 19-12 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. This set up his first start in the NFC championship game on the road at the Philadelphia Eagles.
Unfortunately, the magic of Purdy came to an end as he was injured and missed all of the fourth quarter due to an injury. The 49ers lost 38-7 to the Eagles who will now be playing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
While the 49ers failed to make it to the Super Bowl, Purdy was a great success story and will have a full offseason to continue to show that he’s the guy at quarterback moving forward.
14. Damar Hamlin recovers from Cardiac Arrest on the field
One of the scariest situations in the history of the NFL happened on Monday Night Football and it galvanized a divided country into one united family. On Mon, Jan 2. 2023, in the first quarter, Bills Safety Demar Hamlin hit receiver Tee Higgins and everything looked fine. But moments later, it turned into tragedy as Hamlin collapsed suddenly on the field.
Still down on the field, it was determined that Hamlin suffered from cardiac arrest and was down not moving on the ground. But then, the defensive back was given CPR on the field, in the ambulance, and then went to the hospital.
Hamlin slowly started to gain neurotic function in his brain and while in his hospital bed, he woke up and was able to write sentences. The first thing he asked was, “Did we win the game?” and the doctor said, “Yes, you won the game of life.”
Hamlin’s recovery has shown the strength, the family bond, and the winning culture that the Bills have continued to build under head coach Sean McDermott.
15. Tom Brady “The GOAT” Retires
While last on this list, Mr. Tom Brady is certainly the most important quarterback in this era of football. “The GOAT” as he is referred to has had some memorable stats over his career:
- Brady has won seven Super Bowl’s; six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- During the 2007 Patriots 16-0 regular season, Brady went off, throwing for 4,806 yards along with 50- TD’s and 8 INT’S
- He’s thrown for 89,214 yards during the regular season surpassing New Orleans Saints (QB) Drew Bree (80,358) on October 4, 2021
- He has 35 Career playoff wins
- He has 88 Career playoff touchdowns
- He’s beaten every team in the league
- And many more…
Perhaps Brady’s greatest accomplishments came in 2009 one-year after he missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL in week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He threw for 4,398 yards along with 28 TD’s and 13 INT’S.
But the funniest moment ever in the outstanding quarterback’s career was when he won his first Super Bowl with the BUCS and he and Gronk were celebrating with the Vince Lombardi Trophy; When he tossed the Lombardi Trophy from his party boat to another, and being just a little tipsy, remember?
Now that you read my favorite events from 2022, please let me know what your favorite events were?
For another interesting NFL Story, please check out:
https://gridironheroics.com/what-were-your-favorite-moments-from-the-week/
For more NFL and Twitter content, please follow me on:
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
1 Comment
Greatest moment in the NFL is when Roger Goodell cashes his $54M paycheck. What a joke…