(News4usonline) – There was a lot of uncertainty and unrest in 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic put the world on edge yet again following a tumultuous 2020. Yet, there were some shining moments that broke through to give us hope for a brighter day. Some of those moments happened in the simplest forms, from attending track and field meets to watching the NBA playoffs.
Sports was a good reliever from all the angst going on around us. Local teams in Southern California like the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, LAFC as well as Olympic hopefuls, provided us with some escapism from the things going on around us. A few of those
exciting moments were captured by News4usonline photographers Mark Hammond, Melinda Meijer, Sammy Saludo, Astrud Reed, and Dennis J. Freeman. From social justice to the NBA and the NFL, we came up with 20 photos that reflect the pulse of 2021. Enjoy!
Street racing was at its finest during the 44th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach over the three-day weekend of April 13 through April 15, 2018. Alexander Rossi captured the coveted Verizon IndyCar Series race on Sunday, April 15. Photos by Astrud Reed/News4usonlineThe Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) at work against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 21, 2021. Vancouver defeated LAFC 2-1 at Banc of California Stadium. Photo by Melinda Meijer/News4usonlineUCLA running back Zach Charbonnet has rushed for over 100 yards five times this season. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlineMay 25, 2021-Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the team’s first-round NBA playoff series. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlineJune 20, 2021-Jump ball is a good way to get a basketball game going. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline June 26, 2021-Reggie Jackson of the Los Angeles Clippers goes to the rack in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns defeated the Clippers, 84-80. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlineJune 10, 2021-Actor Danny Trejo and friend at the minicamp practice of the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlineDr. Christina Rogers, sister of Latasha Harlins, plants a kiss on Ruth Harlins. The two women attended a ceremony that renamed a playground in honor of Latasha Harlins. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonlineLonnie Jordan and WAR performing during the Pacific Amphitheatre’s Summer Concert Series at the Orange County Fair. Photo by Melinda Meijer for News4usonline Sept. 20, 2021. Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss (left) and Tim Harris, the team’s president of business operations, help usher in a new era for the organization with its partnership with Bibigo. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonlineAug. 21, 2021. Los Angeles Rams running back Xavier Jones (25) hitting the hole against the Las Vegas Raiders. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlineOct. 10, 2021. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles for a 9-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns defense. The Chargers defeated the Browns, 47-42. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonlinePhoto credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline Sept. 4, 2021. USC wide receiver Drake London (15) goes for yards after the catch against a couple of San Jose State defenders. London caught 12 passes for 72 yards in the Trojans’ 30-7 win. Photo credit: Sammy Saludo for News4usonline Oct. 23, 2021. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant stored 28 points in his team’s 120-114 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts at the plate against the San Diego Padres. Betts led the Dodgers into postseason play. Photo by Melinda Meijer/News4usonline Sept. 30, 2021. Justice for Bruce Beach Founder Kavon Ward (left) is embraced by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonlineNovember 7, 2021. Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) makes a tackle of a Tennessee Titans offensive player during a Sunday Night Football game played at SoFi Stadium. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline November 13, 2021. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at his first press conference with the team. Photo by Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline December 25, 2021. LeBron James (6) and the Los Angeles Lakers were upended by the Brookly Nets on Christmas Day. James scored 39 points in the Lakers’ 122-115 loss to the Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by Melinda Meijer/News4usonline
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com