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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Woods’ foibles edge out Saints’ first Super Bowl title on list

Rachel Cohen Associated Press

NEW YORK – Tiger Woods’ humbling return to the public eye, from his televised confession to a winless season on the golf course, was voted the sports story of the year by members of The Associated Press.

The fallout from Woods’ admission of infidelity edged a very different sort of story – the New Orleans Saints winning their first Super Bowl championship, giving an emotional boost to their hurricane-ravaged city.

It was late 2009 when Woods’ pristine image unraveled after he crashed his SUV into a tree outside his home, unleashing salacious revelations of extramarital affairs. The story was a late addition to last year’s voting and wound up fifth.

But the twists and turns weren’t over for Woods. Many more developments were still to unfold in 2010.

The Woods saga received 1,316 points, with the Saints’ title getting 1,215 and the NBA free-agency frenzy coming in third with 1,085.

Rounding out the top 10:

• South Africa hosted the continent’s first World Cup without the pitfalls many predicted. Spain brought home the first World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in extra time.

• The San Francisco Giants used dominant pitching to beat the Texas Rangers in five games and win their first World Series since 1954.

• New posters distributed to NFL teams before the season warned of concussions’ dangers in much harsher language than before. Midseason, the NFL cracked down on helmet hits with huge fines and threatened suspensions.

• NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson extended his record with his fifth straight Sprint Cup title.

• Brett Favre’s comeback was nothing like last year’s magical run to the NFC title game for the 41-year-old quarterback. His Vikings struggled badly, and the NFL launched an investigation into whether he sent lewd photos of himself to a Jets employee. After voting began, his record streak of 297 starts ended.

• The Connecticut women’s basketball team extended its record winning streak to 78 games with a second straight national championship in April.

• John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, died June 4 at the age of 99. He coached UCLA’s men’s basketball to 10 NCAA championships,