With the year winding down and my snow shovel and snowblower overworked while wondering what happened to global warming, here are my most telling quotes from the sporting world of 2008.

BYU QB Max Hall after six turnovers in a loss at Utah: "I take a lot of the responsibility. Man, I think our guys played hard. I played hard. Bottom line, we just made mistakes. I take the bulk of it, but it's a team effort. We just have to regroup."

Utah QB Brian Johnson after win over BYU: "I take games like these as personal challenges. Anytime you play another quarterback that's a stud like Max, you take them as a challenge. You want to go out there and have the best offense on the field."

U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, after winning a record eight gold medals in China's games: "With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination"

Russian swimmer Alexander Sukhorukov, on what it's like to race against Phelps: "He may be human, but he's from a different planet. A different galaxy."

Usain Bolt, the showboating "coaster" 100-meter sprinter after setting the world record in the 200 meters in Beijing, "I'm Lightning Bolt. I'm not Flash Gordon or anybody. My name is Lightning Bolt."

Wimbledon runner-up Serena Williams after she showed up in a coat on a sunny day: "I have a wonderful white coat I can wear on the court and also in New York for those rainy days ... it's ladylike and goes perfect with my personality."

Alla Kudryavtseva, explaining what inspired her to beat Maria Sharapova: "It's very pleasant to beat Maria ... Why? Well, I don't like her outfit."

Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey, comparing the Irish's second-round opponent in the Maui Invitational with their second-game opponent during an August tour of Ireland: "Texas ain't Poland."

Brazilian striker Ronaldo on his battle with the bulge after spending most of the year injured: "I couldn't have got any fatter; I was running out of clothes."

Tiger Woods after winning the U.S. Open while nursing a torn ACL and double stress fracture of his left tibia: "I'm glad I'm done. I really don't feel like playing any more. It's a bit sore. I'm going to shut it down for a little bit here and see what happens."