More than 20 years ago I had this crazy idea to create a year-end awards column that I dubbed the “Three Years and a Cloud of Dust Awards.”

It originally paid homage to old-school things, but over the two-plus decades has grown and developed into much more than that.

So, here is my annual look back at the good and the bad in state and national sports.

The envelope, please…

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

I rarely agree with the choice of Sports Illustrated. And while Megan Rapinoe is not my particular cup of tea, I cannot disagree with the decision to award her the honor. The U.S. Women’s Soccer team dominated the headlines, both on and off the pitch, during 2019, so it is only deserving gracing the cover of the magazine.

GREATEST MOMENT

Tiger Woods winning the Masters has got to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, story on the entire planet. The world went nuts when Woods put it all together at Augusta and captured his first major in 11 years. But we all need to pump the brakes on Tiger reaching Jack Nicklaus’ all-time mark of 18 major championships. It just is not going to happen.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

I probably could give this award to the same team each year. Once again, the Detroit Lions laid an egg and turned what was supposed to be a season of promise into a dumpster fire that has left fans clamoring for the firing of the head coach and general manager, as well as for the Ford family to sell the team in an effort to finally get a good team.

The coach and GM will be returning next season, and the Fords are not going anywhere soon. So, look for the Lions to defend this title again in 2020.

PITCHMAN AWARD

So many options in this category. But I am going to have to stick with my man Peyton Manning. I know Peyton has retired from football, but his commercials with Brad Paisley are priceless. I love the two of them together pitching insurance, combining sports and music.

HEAD OF THE CLASS

Here are some of the champions from 2019: New England Patriots, NFL; Toronto Raptors, NBA, Washington National, baseball; St. Louis Blues, NHL; Virginia, NCAA men’s basketball; Baylor, NCAA women’s basketball.

WE’RE GOING TO MISS YOU

Here are some of the notable sports deaths in 2019: Junior Johnson, NASCAR; Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings; Don Newcombe, Los Angeles Dodgers; Frank Robinson, Major League Baseball; Charles Rogers, Detroit Lions; Willie Brown, Oakland Raiders; Hopalong Cassady, Heisman Trophy winner; Cliff Branch, Oakland Raiders; Jim Bouton, Major League Baseball; Bill Bruckner, Boston Red Sox; Bart Staff, Green Bay Packers; John Havlicek, Boston Celtics; Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.