15 Things That Happened in the Sports World Before Kobe Bryant Returned

Welcome back, Black Mamba!

Image via USA TODAY Sports

It took nearly eight months ago, or 239 days, to be exact, but Kobe Bryant is back! Since going down with a torn left Achilles tendon in April, Kobe has gone through the highs and lows of rehabilitation, from expressing his concern over not being the same player when he returns to tracking his progress through social media as he continuously made positive strides towards an eventual comeback.

All those moments led to Friday's Facebook post from the Black Mamba, announcing his return tonight against the Toronto Raptors. The two-minute clip showed a Lakers No. 24 jersey representing Bryant as it weathered the storm and nearly split in half before returning in one piece.  

In Kobe's absence, a lot has happened in the world of sports. Derrick Rose made his comeback and landed back on the disabled list, Floyd Matweather set a new all-time purse record for a fight and broke it again a couple months later, and more. Here's 15 Things That Happened in the Sports World Before Kobe Bryant Returned.  

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Jay Z helped his first Roc Nation Sports client Robinson Cano receive the third-richest contract in MLB history

ESPN overlooks Kobe Bryant on their player rankings list

Floyd Mayweather set a new purse record only to break it four months later.

Alabama fell victim to the Sports Illustrated cover curse.

Date: 11/30/2013

With only a few weeks to go before the bowl selection, Alabama seemed like they were headed to their third straight BCS Championship Game. On Nov. 20, Sports Illustrated revealed their latest issue which featured 'Bama quarterback A.J. McCarron and mentioned how the Crimson Tide were "on the brink of a third national title." Ten days later, Auburn's Chris Davis pulled off the play that college football fans will talk about for years to come.

Drake went from rejected by the Heat to accepted by the Raptors.

Riley Cooper Drops the N-Word Heard 'Round the World

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Date: 7/31/2013

At a Kenny Chesney concert, of all places, Riley Cooper drops the N-word and proceeds to get murdered by people on Twitter. If Cooper pulled that at a rap conccert, the response on social media would be the least of his concerns.

Head coach Jason Kidd tried pulling off the soda spill trick.

Date: 11/27/2013

It's not a good look when "accidentally" spilling your drink is the defining moment of your coaching career.

Then, Mike Tomlin tried pulling off a little coaching cheat of his own.

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Date: 11/28/2013

After a $100,000 fine and a possible loss of a draft pick or two, this move by Mike Epps is looking more idiotic by the day. 

Aaron Hernandez may have killed more than just Odin Lloyd.

Mariano Rivera's final game at Yankee Stadium made all of us shed some grown man tears.

Date: 9/27/2013

Yankee fan or not, you know you got a little misty-eyed that night. Don't lie! Where does this rank among the greatest moments in Yankees history?

Anderson Silva lost the UFC Middleweight Championship belt after holding onto it for 2,458 days.

Date: 7/6/2013

A hell of a way to lose the title, huh?

Peyton Manning and Nick Foles became the sixth and seventh quarterback, respectively, to throw seven touchdowns in a game less than two months apart from one another.

Gareth Bale was sent to Real Madrid in world record $132 million transfer.

The Alex Rodriguez Show just never ends.

Derrick Rose made his comeback, but got injured again.

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