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Best of Patch 2019: Sports News You Didn't Expect Across America

Here are stories from across the 1,200-plus hyper local Patch sites that intersect sports and community in amazing ways.

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Jonathon Casillas, the two-time Super Bowl champion, autographs a football to replace the one taken from Joey Cirillo on Friday night at the Toms River North football game.
Jonathon Casillas, the two-time Super Bowl champion, autographs a football to replace the one taken from Joey Cirillo on Friday night at the Toms River North football game. (Erica Cirillo)

Covering community news from around the country on Patch sites across America, we've had a host of stories over the past year that show the inspirational ways in which sports can act as a catalyst for incredible moments.

Tales of victory. Tales of persistence. Tales of communities coming together around sporting events that become bigger than the game.

Below is a sampling of sports stories from across America in 2019.

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.NFL Player Delivers New Ball, Priceless Memory For Toms River Boy: Joey Cirillo, 10, was devastated when his autographed football got lost. That was until one Giants player made a personal visit to bring him a new one.

Johnathan Casillas, the two-time Super Bowl champion, autographs a football to replace the one taken from Joey Cirillo. (Erica Cirillo)
Jonathan Casillas, two-time Super Bowl champ, autographs a football to replace one taken. (Erica Cirillo)

Kid With Cerebral Palsy Pins Wrestler, But Compassion Wins: VIDEO: Two Iowa middle school wrestlers — one with cerebral palsy, the other a top-notch grappler — met on the mat in a lesson in sportsmanship. What happened next, will leave a smile on your face, via Iowa City Patch.

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Boy with Cerebral palsy wins a middle school wrestling match in Iowa. (Youtube Screenshot)
Boy with Cerebral palsy wins a middle school wrestling match in Iowa. (Youtube Screenshot)

Last Second Heroics Lift Newtown To Football Title: It was a day that began with a moment of silent remembrance on the seventh anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, and ended with a 36-yard touchdown pass as time expired that gave the Nighthawks an emotional Class LL championship victory over Darien, via Newtown Patch.

A foggy celebration following Newtown's thrilling victory Saturday. (Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)
A foggy celebration following Newtown's thrilling victory Saturday. (Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)

Grieving Son Catches 'Heaven Sent' Diamondbacks Game-Winning Ball: Alex Robertson, who enjoyed baseball with his late father, had a truly special moment at a Diamondbacks game on his birthday, via Phoenix Patch.

WATCH: 9 Amazing Reactions To 'Double Doink', Shocking Egles Win: "No señor! No señor! No señor! No señor! No señor! No señor! No señor!" Spanish radio announcer Ricky Ricardo screamed no less than 7 times during the incredible Philadelphia Eagles victory, via Philadelphia Patch.

The reactions of a select few Philadelphia and Chicago fans were even better, NSFW language on the video below.

Hat Trick Grants This Duck Baby Naming Privileges: Anaheim Ducks center Derek Grant made a friendly bet with his longtime friend. One hat-trick later, and Grant had the naming rights to his friend's baby, via Orange County Patch.


Infinity War: How Two Women Beat Mt. Rainier's Toughest Challenge: The first ever team of women completed the Mt. Rainier Infinity Loop in 2019, climbing to the summit twice and running close to 100 miles, this is their story, via Sammamish-Issaquah Patch.

Borsuk and Gerbin at the beginning of the Infinity Loop trek on July 25 at the Muir steps. Courtesy of Kaytlyn Gerbin.
Borsuk and Gerbin at the beginning of the Infinity Loop trek on July 25 at the Muir steps. Courtesy of Kaytlyn Gerbin.

Beer Fundraiser For Iowa Children's Hospital Closes At $3 Million: Iowan Carson King's beer joke raised nearly $3 million for children's hospital after his college football game-day sign went viral. He also may have effectively cancelled the "cancel culture," via Iowa City Patch.

Carson King, center, waves to patients in the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, via Charlie Neibergall/AP.
Carson King, center, waves to patients in the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, via Charlie Neibergall/AP.

Eagles Fan Catches Babies During Philly Fire, 'Unlike Agholor': Even a raging apartment fire couldn't burn the memory of the Eagles loss from this fan's mind. It's a tale of heroism and sports fandom, via Norristown Patch.

TVHS Soccer Captain Wins Big At Football, Homecoming Senior Year: Aubree Gessel started her senior year as the varsity football kicker, then won the homecoming crown. Now, she looks to varsity soccer season with utter focus, via Temecula Patch.

Aubree Gessel, senior at Temecula Valley High School, has her eyes on the next prize. After winning CIF at Varsity Football, Homecoming Queen 2019/20, (Ashley Ludwig/Patch)
Aubree Gessel, senior at Temecula Valley High School, has her eyes on the next prize. After winning CIF at Varsity Football, Homecoming Queen 2019/20, (Ashley Ludwig/Patch)

Marlins Derek Jeter: No Opening Day Superstitions: Legendary Yankee shortstop turned part owner of the Miami Marlins Derek Jeter talked to Patch about why he doesn't subscribe to baseball superstitions, via Miami Patch.

Miami Marlins part owner Derek Jeter claims no opening day superstitions. (Photo by Paul Scicchitano)
Miami Marlins part owner Derek Jeter claims no opening day superstitions. (Photo by Paul Scicchitano)

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