Growing up, I would watch ESPN religiously in the morning while eating breakfast. Whether it was watching the Top 10 Plays or the latest news as to who won the World Series or The Masters, it was always enjoyable to sit back and get the latest sports updates. However, one of my favorite things to watch was the "This is SportsCenter" short commercials.
Usually, these commercials would involve professional athletes that were very significant during the time of the short ads. Thinking back over the years, there are several that have stuck in my mind. Therefore, I will recall the most memorable ten "This is SportsCenter" clips (and of course, being a big Boston fan, this list is a bit biased).
1. Alex Ovechkin Spy
In this clip, Alex Ovechkin is at the SportsCenter office late, doing some "late night filings." Jokingly, he's referred to as a Russian spy. As the office is closed for the night, Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov leave the office with the fillings, pretending to be spies. Definitely one of the funniest clips I remember with a great job by Ovechkin.
2. Boston 3 Party
My all time favorite clip during the time period of Boston's Big 3 of KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, this clip has the trio struggling to make up a clever nickname. After thinking of "The Parquet Posse." "The Three Basketeers," and "The Three Amigos," they finally settle on "The Boston 3 Party."
3. Roger Federer Rankings
During the time when Fed was at the top of the tennis world, he was the world's number one player for a long period of time, winning major after major. This clip details Rog talking about rankings, and if he were to rank SportsCenter anchors.
4. Drew Brees Traffic Jam
Drew Brees stuck in his Mardi Gras van while trying to get through a gate. Need I say more?
5. David Ortiz Betrayal
In this clip featuring Yankee Jorge Posada and Sox DH David Ortiz, Ortiz tries on Posada's hat to try to "break it in". Of course, Wally the Green Monster walks by to see Papi in the hat, only to be shocked into thinking Papi has turned towards the Evil Empire.
6. LeBron James Chair
LeBron, during his era on the Cavs, goes to sit down in his SportsCenter cubicle, only to realize his chair is missing. He looks over to see Scott van Pelt sitting in a large chair fit for a king. LeBron, asking Scott if he has seen his chair, claims he hasn't and tells him to search around the office.
7. Rafael Nadal
As Nadal is surrounded by women who work in the office, his male co-workers wonder "What's he have that we don't?" After wondering, "You think it's the dimples?" or his nice tan, Nadal fills up his Major trophy with candy.
8. Rickie Fowler
During the time of Fowler's Oklahoma State orange getup, he goes into the office to drink some coffee, only to say it is regular although it is marked decaf due to the orange lid. He is then asked if he is colorblind, to which he responds no. He then proceeds to put orange juice in his coffee to then spit it out and say that "the milk has gone bad".
9. Rob Gronkowski
Gronk shows off his Super Bowl ring to the office staff, only for them to jealously say it's "too big" and "tacky" once he walks away.
10. Bubba Watson
As Bubba is walking throughout the office, he and his caddy see a big tree in their way and strategize as to how to get around it.
