September 30 –
New England Patriots quarterback
Tom Brady, a 6th round, 199th pick from the
2000 NFL Draft, makes his first professional start after 8-year quarterback
Drew Bledsoe suffered a severe injury in a Week 2 game vs. the
New York Jets. This would mark a turning point for both the franchise and the NFL, as Brady would lead the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title 5 months later and would lead them to 8 more appearances and 5 more titles in the next 17 years.
UEFA Cup –
Liverpool won 5–4 after extra-time, in the
final against
Alavés, with an unfortunate own goal/golden goal by Delfi Gelí. This was
Liverpool's third UEFA Cup title.
The world record for largest victory in an international football match was set by
Australia in a
0–22 victory against
Tonga on April 9. Australia set this record again with a
31–0 victory against
American Samoa on April 11.[1] The unbalanced nature of these matches prompted changes to the
FIFA qualification process.[2]
After a season of conflict between ULEB and FIBA, the two bodies settle their feud, with the Suproleague merging into the Euroleague.
Boxing
March 3 –
John Ruiz defeats
Evander Holyfield in their second fight by a decision in 12 rounds, winning the
WBA's World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first
Hispanic to win the world Heavyweight title.
September 29 – in a gala event dedicated to the victims and rescuers of
9/11,
Bernard Hopkins defeats
Félix Trinidad by a knockout in round 12 to unify the World Middleweight Championship
V.V.S. Laxman becomes the first Indian to score 250 in a Test match as India fight back from following on to win the Second Test against Australia, ending the Australians' record 16 match winning streak. India goes on to win the series 2–1.