1994 NFL

1. Steve Young: Was the consensus MVP in the regular season and the Super Bowl MVP.

He set an NFL record with 112.8 passer rating. He had the fifth most TD passes in a season (35, first in the league). He had the 2^nd highest completion % in history (70.3).

He was consensus All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.

Young also led the league in yards/att (8.6). He passed for 3969 yards (4^th in NFL) and just 10 Ints.

He finished 8^th in the NFL with seven rushing touchdowns.

In San Francisco’s 44-15 rout of Chicago in the divisional round, Young threw and ran in a touchdown.

In the NFC Championship game against Dallas, Young threw two more TDs and ran in another score in the Niners 38-28 win, including a 28-yard strike to Jerry Rice at the end of the half to put San Fran up 31-14.

Young light up San Diego in the Super Bowl, on his way to record setting performance. He was 24-36 for 325 yards and a record 6 TDs. He also had a team high 49 yards rushing on just five carries.

He threw two TDs in the first five minutes of the contest. After the Chargers cut the lead to seven, Young hit William Floyd and Ricky Watters for two more scores to push to lead to 21.

The 49ers went 13-3, including 10 straight wins (13-2 before Young sat out part of final game) and won the NFC West. They beat Chicago 44-15 in round two. They avenged two championship game losses to Dallas by taking down the Cowboys 38-28.

They pounded San Diego 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX in Miami. The Niners set a NFL record with 505 points (31.6 per game) while allowing just 18.6 per game.

2. Deion Sanders: Was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was a consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler.

He had six interceptions and returned 3 touchdowns (tied for most since 1972) and returned for 303 yards (2^nd most in NFL history) in just 14 games.

He had 74 yd TD vs New Orleans, 93 yd TD vs Atlanta, and 90 yd TD vs San Diego. He had a Int in their key win over then 8-1 Dallas.

In NFC Championship against Dallas, he helped shutdown Michael Irvin and also intercepted Troy Aikman. He also had a 25 yard kickoff return.

He had another interception in the Super Bowl. This was second of his three straight playoff games with an interception, an NFL record.

He also had an Int. in the Pro Bowl.

He led a 49ers defense that was sixth in scoring defense and tops in interceptions.

Deion became one of the most popular athletes of his era in his only season in San Francisco.

3. Dan Marino: Was 1^st team All-AFC named by Pro Football Weekly and UPI and was 2^nd team All-NFL by AP. He was also a Pro Bowler.

He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year after tearing his achilles in 1993.

Marino was second in the league in yards (4453) and completions (385, 3^rd most ever). He third in TDs (30), and passer rating (89.2).

Marino led Miami on four 4^th quarter game winning drives. They included week one vs. New England, where he threw for 473 and 5 scores including the winning TD.

In week 13 vs. the Jets, Marino led the Dolphins from down 24-6 to New York in the second half to a stunning 28-24 W. He was 31-44 for 359 yards and four second half TDs (all to Mark Ingram Sr.) including the famous “fake spike”.

In the Wildcard win over the Chiefs, Marino torched KC (22-29, 257 yards and 2 TD) and sent Joe Montana home in his final game.

Against San Diego Marino put Miami in position to go to the AFC Championship with a 262 yard, 3 TD performance. His last second drive put Miami in position for the game-winning FG, that was missed.

Miami was 10-6, won the AFC East and was third in the league in scoring (24.3 per game). In the playoffs, they defeated Kansas City 27-17 but fell at San Diego 22-21.

College Football 1994

1. Ki Jana Carter: Was consensus a consensus All-American and 2^nd in the Heisman voting. He was the Rose Bowl MVP.

In the regular season he ran 1539 yards (7.8 ypc) and 23 TDs. He had 1743 all-purpose yards.

He opened the season with 210 yards and 3 TDs against Minnesota.

Against #12 Michigan he ran for 165 yards. Ki Jana ran for 137 yards and 3 TDs on just 19 carries in a 63-14 pounding of #12 Ohio St.

He finished his career in Happy Valley with 227 yards and 5 TDs vs Michigan St.

In the Rose Bowl, Carter opened up the scoring with an 83 TD bolt. With the score tied at 14 in the third quarter, he scored twice in the quarter. Penn St would go on to win 38-20 over #11 Oregon. Carter finished with 156 yards on 21 attempts.

Penn St. finished 12-0 and #2 in the polls. They average 46 points per game and routed opponents by 26 a game.

2. 2. Rashaan Salaam: Won the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp as National Player of the Year. He was the POY named by Sporting News. He was named RB of the Year (Doak Walker).

He led NCAA in scoring (13.1), touchdowns (24), all-purpose yards per game (213.6) and rushing (186.6).

He became the 4^th player in NCAA history to run for over 2,000 and totaled 2,055 yards for the regular season.

His break out game was against #25 Texas when Salaam rambled for a school record 317 rushing yards and 368 total yards, and added a TD.

Against the eventual national champs Nebraska, he put 134 yards and a score.

In the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, Salaam had 83 yards and three TDs, in the Buffs 41-24 rout.

Colorado finished the season 11-1, including 6-1 in the Big 8 and #3 in the final poll. Their lone loss was to Nebraska, 24-7. They came from behind to stun Michigan 27-26 in a game Salaam had 141 yards and 2 TDs.

3. 3. Lawrence Phillips: Ran for 1722 yards and 16 TDs (6.0 ypc). He had a Nebraska record 11 straight 100 yard games.

He finished 8^th in the Heisman voting and was All-Big 8.

His top performance was 221 yards and 3 scores vs. Oklahoma St.

He topped the 100 yard mark (103 yards on 24 carries) in Huskers 24-7 win over #3 Colorado.

In the Orange Bowl Phillips ran for 96 yards on 19 carries, against Miami’s #1 ranked defense (10.4 PPG) and posted the longest run (25 yards) that the Canes gave up all year.

Nebraska finished #1 in both polls and was named National Champions. They won the Big Eight and knocked off then #3 Miami in the Orange Bowl. The Huskers finished first in the NCAA in rushing (340 yards/game).

Baseball 1994

1. Jeff Bagwell: All-Star (2-4 R), ML Player of the Year (Sporting News, AP, Players Choice, Baseball Digest), NL Player of the month in June and July.

Bagwell was unamiously voted NL MVP.

He was also a silver slugger and gold glover at first base.

He led the NL with 116 RBIs and 104 Runs. He was also the led the league in OPS (1.201) and total bases (300).

He was second in the NL in batting (.368), hits (147), and HR (39).

He set many Astros team records.

He was on a full season pace of 55 HR, 164 RBI, 147 R, 207 H, and 21 SB.

The Astros were 66-49 (93 W pace) and .5 games behind the Reds in the NL Central.

2. Frank Thomas: Was the AL MVP for the second straight season. He was the starting 1B for the AL (2-2 RBI, R, BB).

He was a Silver Slugger and Player of the Month in May and July.

He led the AL in OPS (1.217), runs (106), and walks.

He was 2^nd in HR (38), and third in RBI (101), batting (.353) and total bases (291).

The Big Hurt was on pace for 54 HR, 145 RBI, 152 R, 202 H, 156 BB.

The White Sox won 67 games (96 win pace) and led the AL Central and had the AL's 2^nd best record.

3. Albert Belle: Was 3^rd in the MVP voting, an All-Star and Silver Slugger.

He finished 2^nd in batting (.357) and OPS (1.152). He was third in HR (36) and RBI (101).

Joey was on pace for pace 52 HR, 145 RBI, 129 R, 211 H, 422 TB.

From May 13^th- June 19^th Cleveland won 18 straight home games and in that streak Belle drove in 21 runs and scored 21 more.

The streak propelled the Indians to 66 wins (95 win pace) and the third best record in the AL (wild card position).

1994 NBA

1. Hakeem Olajuwon: Won a trifecta of major awards… MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.

He was first team All-NBA and starting Center for the West All-Star team (19 pts, 11 rbs, 5 blks) and first team All-Defense.

He was third in the NBA in scoring (27.3), 4^th in rebounding (11.9), and 2^nd in blocks (3.7).

He shot 52.8% and was 2^nd in the league in Field Goals made, and posted a career high 3.6 assists per game.

In the playoffs “The Dream” raised his averages in 29 (tops in the NBA)-11-4 and 4 blocks in his 22 games played.

In the conference semis, he put away Phoenix in Game 7 with 37-17-5 and carried Houston to win the series after trailing 2-0.

He helped the Rockets save their season with a 30-10 and five block Game 6 vs New York in the Finals.

His 25-10-7 performance led Houston in the championship clinching Game 7.

Houston won 58 games, and the Midwest Division. They rolled past Portland, survived against Phoenix, handled Utah in five to win the West. They came from 3-2 down to beat New York for the NBA crown.

2. David Robinson: Was second in the MVP voting. He was 2^nd team All-NBA and All-Defensive. He was an All-Star (19 points).

He led the NBA scoring (29.8) by scoring 71 points (3^rd most in history) on the final day of the season.

He also led the league in free throws and finished 3^rd in blocks (3.3).

The Admiral shot over 50% from the field and grabbed over 10 boards per game.

Against Detroit he put a rare quadruple-double.

He had 25-8-7 and 3 blocks in a Game 1 win over Utah in round 1.

The Spurs won 55 games in the regular season but fell in four games to Utah in the playoffs.

3. Karl Malone: Was first team All-NBA. He finished 5^th in points (25.3) and 8^th in rebounding (11.5).

He was third in minutes and played all 82 games. Malone was 2^nd league in free throws , nearly 50% from the field and four assists.

He put up 60 dbl-dbls in the 93-94 season.

He was a starting forward for the West All-Star team.

In the playoffs he raised his averages in to 27-12.4 in 16 games.

He had 31-12 in the clincher vs. the Spurs and 31-4-6 in Game 7 win over the Nuggets.

Utah won 53 games and the 5^th seed in the West. They knocked out San Antonio and Denver to get to the West Finals, where they fell to Houston in five games.

1994 College Basketball

1. Corliss Williamson: Was the MVP of the Final Four and All-Tournament Team. He was the SEC Player of the Year and 2^nd team All-American.

Overall for the season “Big Nasty” put up 20.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and shot over 62% from the field in just 29 minutes of actions per game.

In the Tournament (six games) Williamson scored 21.7 points grabbed 8.2 rebounds and blocked 2.3 shot per game and maintained his 62% from the field.

In the national Semis vs #9 ranked Arizona he was 11-18 from the field. He tallied 29-13 and five assists.

In the title game (played in Charlotte, NC) he put up 23 and 8 in Arkansas’ 76-72 victory over #6 Duke.

Arkansas won the national championship over Duke. They finished 31-3 over including 14-2 (SEC West champs). In the final poll they were #2 and were the top seed in the Midwest. The Hogs averaged over 92 points per game (3^rd in the NCAA) and outscored their opponents by 18 a game.

2. Glenn Robinson: Was the unanimous Player of the Year. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year (also named Big Ten Male Athlete of the year) after leading the conference in scoring and rebounds (10.1). He earned many other awards.

He led the nation with 30.3 per game. He shot over 48%, (including 38 on threes) and nearly 80% from the line.

The Big Dog guided Purdue to the Big Ten title with 37 points including the game-winner over then #3 Michigan.

Then he followed that up with 49 in the season finale win over Illinois to clinch the conference crown.

In the NCAAs, he dropped 44 on #13 Kansas in the sweet 16.

Purdue won a competitive Big Ten (14-4) and went 29-5 (3^rd in the final poll). They were the top seed in the Southeast Region and advanced to the Regional Final, losing to Duke. The Boilermakers, sparked by Robinson, scored over 84 points per game.

3. Grant Hill: Was a consensus first team All-American, and the ACC Player of the Year.

He was also named All-Tournament team and the Southeast Regional MVP.

He averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebs, 5.2 ast, and 1.9 steals while shooting 39% on 3s.

In the NCAA tournament Hill put up 17.7 points, 8.3 rebs, 5.7 asts and shot 50% (40-80) from the field.

It was Hill’s defense that shut down Glenn Robinson and held him to a season low 13 points and forced 6 turnovers.

In the Final Four vs #14 ranked Florida Hill went all 40 minutes, and had 25-6-5 in Duke’s 70-65 comeback win.

In the championship game vs Arkansas he has 12-14(career high), 6 assists and three blocks. His game three tied the game at 70 with just over a minute to go.

Duke finished the season 28-6 and was #6 in the final poll. They advanced to their 4^th title game in five years. They won the ACC regular season with a 12-4 record.