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Announcing all 15 Year in Sports 2014 award winners

Year in Sports celebrates the most dramatic, spectacular, strange and flat-out fun moments from 2014. Over the past couple of weeks, USA TODAY Sports readers picked their favorites for 15 different awards, and here are the results. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all who voted!

Best Photograph: Ortiz-Obama selfie (40% of the vote)

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Shot by USA TODAY Sports’ Geoff Burke, this captures the outsized personality of Red Sox DH David Ortiz. President Obama looks genuinely happy to be taking a selfie with Big Papi, even if in the end it was a publicity stunt.

Runners-up: Ole Miss fans storm field (21%), running of bulls selfie (18%), Madison Bumgarner chugs (14%), Arjen Robben dive (7%)

Best GIF: 50 Cent’s first pitch (37% of the vote)

http://www.gifsplosion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/50-Cent-Awful-First-Pitch-At-New-York-Mets-Game.gif

Throwing out a ceremonial first pitch is no easy task. I’m certain that if given the chance, I’d mess it up. But I think (hope) I’d be able to do a bit better than 50 Cent, who managed to butcher his so badly that it’ll be giggled at for eternity.

Runners-up: Michelle Obama throws down (28%), Mercer goes dancing (13%), Jeremy Maclin’s Gatorade bath (12%), Gregg Popovich lets loose (10%)

Best Commercial: Derek Jeter for Gatorade (40% of the vote)

The Derek Jeter farewell tour felt interminable. But Gatorade’s ad featuring the Yankees shortstop was a fitting salute. Unlike many of the tributes to Jeter, this one actually did a good job showing just how much he means to fans.

Runners-up: Misty Copeland for Under Armour (24%), Tim Tebow for T-Mobile (17%), Derrick Coleman for Duracell (12%), LeBron James for Nike (7%)

Best Game/Match: USA vs. Portugal (41% of the vote)

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At the end of the 2-2 World Cup group stage draw between the U.S. and Portugal, I was as exhausted as the players. OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Still, the game — even for fans — was both exciting and emotionally draining.

Runners-up: Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 (30%), BCS title game (14%), Wichita State vs. Kentucky (9%), Wimbledon final (6%)

Best Hair/Facial Hair: James Harden (32% of the vote)

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, we may have to name the Best Hair/Facial hair award after James Harden. Among fans of hirsute athletes, the Rockets guard’s beard is iconic — it recently even starred in a commercial.

Runners-up: Kyle Beckerman (27%), Rickie Fowler (20%), Brock Hekking (11%), Derek Norris (10%)

Best Animal: Racing dog Arthur (32% of the vote)

Arthur

Arthur might be the most courageous stray dog in history. He trekked through the rainforests of Ecuador with a Swedish adventure racing team and managed to make it to the finish line. He was rewarded for his efforts — the racers with whom he tagged along adopted him.

Runners-up: Gus Kenworthy’s puppies (26%), Hank the Dog (22%), Seattle seahawk Taima (15%), Wimbledon hawk Rufus (5%)

Best FTW Moment: Jeter’s last home game (52% of the vote)

Al Bello-Getty Images

Al Bello-Getty Images

Honestly, the fact that Jeter lined a walk-off single in his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium isn’t all that surprising. The future Hall of Famer spent two decades producing dramatic moments like this one. It was the perfect send-off.

Runners-up: Richard Sherman’s tipped pass (17%), Mario Götze’s World Cup winner (15%), Damian Lillard’s buzzer-beater (8%), Salvador Perez’s walk-off single (8%)

Best Fan: Fist-bumping Bruins fan (95% of the vote)

When the world was introduced to 8-year-old Boston Bruins fan Liam Fitzgerald back in November, we called him a “superhero.” It’s a fitting designation for the 8-year-old with Down Syndrome. He truly loves his team.

Runners-up: Seahulk (3%), Miami Marlins Guy (1%), world’s biggest Royals fan (1%), Drake (0%)

Best Emotional Moment: Lauren Hill’s first college game (33% of the vote)

Tom Uhlman-AP

Tom Uhlman-AP

Mount St. Joseph basketball player Lauren Hill may be fighting brain cancer, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. She played in her team’s season opener, scoring four points. Hill appeared in another game soon after and also got her own Wheaties box.

Runners-up: Leah Still’s fight (21%), Stuart Scott’s ESPY’s speech (19%), Kevin Durant’s MVP speech (18%), Bode Miller moved to tears (9%)

Best Media Moment: Richard Sherman’s postgame interview (30% of the vote)

Thank goodness for Richard Sherman, whose postgame interview with Erin Andrews after the NFC title game has become legendary. I’m not sure any athlete will ever be able to top it, except of course for Sherman himself.

Runners-up: Hannah Storm’s powerful editorial (22%), Chevy Guy at the World Series (21%), Michael Sam gets drafted (15%), LeBron’s homecoming announcement (12%)

Best New Uniforms: Norway curling team’s pants (33% of the vote)

Ints Kalnins-Reuters

Ints Kalnins-Reuters

Norway’s curlers didn’t medal at the Sochi Olympics, but they’ll always be remembered for their eye-popping pants. The team wore a variety of different patterns and color combinations. Each one seemed more vibrant — and memorable — than the last.

Runners-up: U.S. soccer’s Bomb Pop jerseys (28%),Pittsburgh Penguins’ alternate jerseys (16%), Charlotte Hornets 2.0 (14%), Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new look (9%)

Best Fashion Statement: Meta Gronk (37% of the vote)

Gronk2

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is rarely accused of being clever. But his shirt — which features a photo of teammate Julian Edelman wearing a shirt with Gronk’s picture on it — actually deserves that designation. It’s pretty great.

Runners-up: Team USA’s sweaters (26%), Team Germany’s rainbow outfits (16%), Andrew Wiggins’ draft suit (11%), Serena’s leopard print dress (10%)

Best Meme: Things Tim Howard could save (40% of the vote)

TimHowardsave

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was already highly regarded before his team’s World Cup knockout round loss to Belgium. In the process of making 16 huge saves in that game, he achieved legendary status. (See above.)

Runners-up: Odell Beckham Jr.’s catch (30%), LeBroning (13%), Lance Stephenson blowing on things (11%), Robin van Persie’s diving header (6%)

Best Athlete on Social Media: Tom Brady (50% of the vote)

BradyHS

What makes Tom Brady’s Facebook account great is that it’s full of nostalgia you can’t get anywhere else. Earlier this season, he posted his college resume. Brady (or whoever’s in charge of his social media presence) is a master.

Runners-up: LeBron James (15%), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (14%), Joel Embiid (13%), Serena Williams (8%)

Best Viral Video: Tom Brady high-five PSA (36% of the vote)

Tom Brady’s occasionally eye-rolling intensity on-field intensity level is easy to ridicule. Yet this mock PSA, which pokes fun at the fact that the Patriots quarterback is often left hanging while looking for high-fives, is quite good.

Runners-up: Ohio State coach tackles fan (23%), Navy baseball players sing Frozen (16%), American Ninja Warrior winner (16%), Phoenix Suns Halloween prank (9%)

For the full results, and to see all of the finalists, visit Year in Sports 2014. See you next year!

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