With 2011 coming to a close, sports fans can take the time to remember just how memorable this year of sports really was. ESPN recently ranked the Top 20 Athletes in all sports in 2011. Don't worry, Boston, we are well represented.
On this year's list, ESPN ranks Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas number seven and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady number seventeen on the list. The full list can be seen here.
No one can disagree that without Tim Thomas's spectacular play in net, the Boston Bruins would most likely not be the Stanley Cup Champions of last season. In the 2011 playoffs, the 37-year old Thomas recorded a playoff-record 798 saves and guided the Bruins to their Stanley Cup since 1972. Thomas's efforts eventually won him the Conn Smythe trophy, the MVP of the playoffs.
As for Brady, we just can't expect anything less out of the golden boy of New England. In 2011, Brady has already thrown for 36 touchdowns and 4,897 yards. Like Drew Brees did last week, Brady is set to break Dan Marino's passing record of 5,084 passing yards in one season. Not to mention, Brady is on the verge of guiding New England to a number one seed in the AFC and possibly another Super Bowl.
For more Boston Bruins and New England Patriots coverage, visit our Bruins team page and Patriots team page and our blogs, Stanley Cup of Chowder and Pats Pulpit