Image via Complex Original
26.
Raise your hand if you had any idea that Vine would take over as one of the main ways to view sports highlights.
Okay, put your hand down. Liar.
This year, the internet realized that Vine wasn't just a great way to watch Ronaldo's goals or LeBron James touchdown catches, but also a way to enjoy all of the other stuff that happens on and off the court, field, pitch, or diamond. Vines aren't just about highlights anymore, they're about low-lights, botched interviews, and throwing Ginuwine's "Pony" behind video of Peyton Manning's goofy, robotic dancing.
There were so many incredible non-highlight Vines in the world of sports this year that we had to make a list. Here are The Best Sports Vines of 2014. Because sometimes six seconds is all you need.
25.Rocky Top
No. of loops (as of publication date): 3,479,760
Are you happy, people? This is what you're supporting by eating Papa John's.
24.He Got Game
No. of loops (as of publication date): 11,948,060
Look closely and you'll see that this kid pulls the classic ball switch on these ladies. Dad on the left is like, “Oh boy, kid's getting too clever. Might be time to put some parental controls on the computer.”
23.Da Bomb
No. of loops (as of publication date): 28,070,221
Whether this is real or just an excellent trick is up for debate. What isn't up for debate is this Vine's popularity. That's over 28,000,000 loops and counting for those keeping score.
22.Chip “Birdman” Kelly
No. of loops (as of publication): 53,382
Unlike the real Birdman, Coach Kelly actually rewards his players when they perform.
21.First Pitch
No. of loops (as of publication date): 107,647
50 is no dummy; he knows that publicity is everything. Throwing the worst opening pitch ever and ending up all over the morning shows and SportsCenter A WEEK before his album dropped was a veteran move from the Queens emcee.
20.NO MEANS NO
No. of loops (as of publication date): 4,137,532
The Redskins Senior VP of Communications Tony Wyllie wasn't playing any games when John Sutcliffe of ESPN Deportes swooped in trying to nab a last-second interview. Remember guys, no matter the circumstances: No means no.
19.Wheelie
No. of loops (as of publication date): 3,959,939
This guy has probably had this in his pocket for months, carefully planning every detail with his teammates. There were plenty of fat guy touchdowns this season, but none of them ended in a cartwheel. The 40 or so flags thrown on this play only makes the Vine funnier.
18.Picked Up and Flopped Out
No. of loops (as of publication date): 4,419,509
“Wait, wait, wait, you didn't do it right. Here, allow me to show you what it's actually like to unwillingly fall down.”
17.BFFs
No. of loops (as of publication date): 3,386,384
It's comforting to know Boogie has somebody like Omri to take care of him during his battle with meningitis.
16.F*ck My Life
No. of loops (as of publication date): 1,683,772
It's okay, Zach, at least you are playing with Kevin Lo– …I mean, the weather is…well, at least Minnesota has a winning hist–…hmmm, yeah, sorry, dude.
15.Possessed
No. of loops (as of publication date): 57,411,350
Sorry for just ruining your life with the most frightening clip/child in existence. Try just not going to sleep, it helps with the nightmares.
14.Kyrie and Love Handshake
No. of loops (as of publication date): 4,146,950
This is the adult version of Cory and Shawn's best-friend handshake in “Boy Meets World.”
13.From Kobe With Love
No. of loops (as of publication date): 3,611,020
Something tells us Kobe isn't the first person to ever say this about Dwight. Just check Twitter.
12.RE2PECT
No. of loops (as of publication date): 11,081,560
Jeter had hundreds of thousands of people slobbering over his greatness, hat-tipping him left and right, giving him gift baskets of candied figs and baseball bats made out of subway tiles. And yet, this was by far the coolest moment honoring him. You can believe Nike wishes it had this kid for its already great commercial.
11.Teamwork
No. of loops (as of publication date): 790,330
Also in this clip: Kobe Bryant completely ignoring all of his teammates and coaches. Old Kobe tha GAWD.
10.No Words
No. of loops (as of publication date): 1,809,269
Even a Harvard education couldn't prepare the man for having to answer questions about this Lakers team.
9.Crowd Work
No. of loops (as of publication date): 7,102,061
Katy Perry was thinking about (game)cock all day, so it's not surprising she was spotted diving bare-assed into a crowd of college doucheboys.
8.What's that, Lou?
No. of loops (as of publication date): 69,639
“oingwproifo34infa;soifn;owibfn;asimv2fno43ialsdfih;owvfen.” —Lou Holtz
7.Not Quite Steph Curry With the Shot
No. of loops (as of publication date): 5,678,705
That's not even the pro line, homeboy. If you're going to dress the part and talk about your jumper in songs, you might want to go back to your mansion and practice.
6.TECHNOLOGY AND STUFF
No. of loops (as of publication date): 1,465,065
Dude, not only are you supposed to be THE Chevrolet guy, you're supposed to be the guy Chevy chose to adequately portray the company and the brand new Colorado in a positive light. We know it's a little overwhelming talking to somebody who has zero emotion, but we're pretty sure Chevy didn't pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just to advertise “technology and stuff”.
5.Dilfer's Unmatched Wisdom
No. of loops (as of publication date): 4,155,054
Proof that ESPN totally nailed it by choosing a quarterback with more career interceptions than touchdowns to give an audience the secrets to NFL success.
4.Slight Mismatch
No. of loops (as of publication date): 5,525,715
At least teenage TerRio is realistic about his limits.
3.Talkin' 'Bout Practice
No. of loops (as of publication date): 7,407,025
This was the first time Kobe was in team practice that month. Just imagine if Swaggy P would have been like, “KOBE, YOU WASN'T WITH US SHOOTIN' IN THE GYM.”
2.Ball Is Life
No. of loops (as of publication date): 7,083,489
Dude out here makin' this toddler look like Michelle Rich Homie Kwan on the rink.
1.Blowing Up
No. of loops (as of publication date): 28,499
Here you have it: The No. 1 sports Vine of the year. The blow seen 'round the world. You just know Da Real Lambo uses this move when he's trying to get Gloria in the mood.