SPORTS

Sign-up now underway for spring intramural sports with dodgeball competition being offered for the first time ever

Up to this point the 2007-2008 National Football League season has been entertaining, historic, emotional and unpredictable.

Opening week saw Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett paralyzed after a vicious collision with now New York Giant Domenik Hixon. It's truly a blessing to see Everett make a full recovery, but he will likely never play professional football again.

In the same week, the "Spygate" scandal erupted as the New England Patriots were accused of videotaping the New York Jets' sideline signals.

The very same Patriots have put together an incredible season, becoming the first team ever to finish an NFL regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. Quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss both had career years, setting individual-season touchdown records for their respective positions.

A handful of surprising teams managed to squeeze into the playoffs this season.

A resurgent Brett Favre led his Green Bay Packers into the playoffs once again.

The Tennessee Titans, a team with very little big-name talent, fought their way into the wildcard playoff before losing in San Diego.

Speaking of the Chargers, how many of us expected to see them march into Indianapolis and knock off Peyton Manning's Colts in the divisional round? Not many.

Who expected Peyton's little brother, Eli, to lead his New York Giants to the NFC Championship game after a turbulent off-season, beating the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys on the road in the process?

Before we see a new NFL champion crowned, let us take a moment to remember the talented young men we lost this season.

On May 28, 2007, Marquise Hill, defensive end for the New England Patriots, lost his life in a jet-ski accident in Louisiana.

Only half a year later, All-pro Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was gunned down in his Miami, Fla., home by a small group of burglars.

Both men were only 24 with promising careers ahead of them when their lives were cut tragically short.

It's certainly been a wild, inexplicable season that has brought out the very best and very worst in pro sports. We can only hope that next season brings a safer year for players, coaches and fans, while delivering the same amount of drama, excitement, heartbreak and glory as this season has.