NEW YORK -- The Boston Marathon bombing was selected the sports story of the year Friday in an annual vote conducted by The Associated Press. DaeSean Hamilton Broncos Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Authorities say brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, ethnic Chechens from Russia who emigrated to the United States as children, planned and carried out the bombings in retaliation for U.S. involvement in Muslim countries. Ninety-six ballots were submitted from U.S. editors and news directors. Voters were asked to rank the top 10 sports stories of the year, with the first-place story receiving 10 points, the second-place story nine points and so on. The marathon attack received 761 points and 67 first-place votes. It was also second in APs national/international story of the year poll. The No. 2 sports story, Lance Armstrongs admission of doping, had five first-place votes and 517 points. The top five stories were grim: terrorism, performance-enhancing drug use, legal settlements, murder charges. The first on-field action came in at No. 6 -- the Boston Red Soxs worst-to-first World Series title, though even that was tinged by the citys heartache less than seven months earlier. Here are 2013s top 10 stories: 1. BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS: The throngs of spectators lining the streets at a storied big-city marathon were once a wholesome scene of civic pride and friendly support. Aprils attack came as a haunting reminder that the crowds at a high-profile event are also a vulnerable target. Bag searches and metal detectors were a common sight at games the rest of the year. As victims persevere on prosthetic limbs, the 118th edition of the worlds oldest marathon is set for the spring, with security undoubtedly heightened but runners determined to take part. 2. LANCE ARMSTRONG: The disgraced cyclist was also the No. 2 sports story last year. In 2012, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency stripped him of his record seven Tour de France titles, releasing mounds of evidence that he used PEDs to win them. In January, after years of defiant denials, Armstrong finally admitted it, telling Oprah Winfrey: "Its this myth, this perfect story, and it wasnt true." 3. NFL CONCUSSION SETTLEMENT: The NFLs settlement of lawsuits brought by thousands of former players will cost the league $765 million but wont end the turmoil over head injuries in football -- or the litigation. The retirees, who had accused the NFL of concealing the long-term dangers of concussions, will be eligible for compensation for certain neurological ailments. The league did not admit to any wrongdoing after mediation resulted in a settlement in August. 4. BASEBALL DRUG BANS: Alex Rodriguezs 211-game suspension was the longest of the 13 announced in August for players connected to a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned PEDs. The Yankees slugger was the only one to contest the penalty, and the year ends with an arbitrator yet to rule. In July, Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP who had previously denied using banned substances, accepted a 65-game suspension. 5. HERNANDEZ ARREST: On Jan. 20, New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez had nine catches for 83 yards in an AFC championship game loss to Baltimore. Just more than five months later, he was charged with murder. Prosecutors accuse him of shooting a friend to death on a secluded gravel road for talking to the wrong people at a nightclub. Hernandez awaits trial amid revelations of a history of violence by the player. 6. RED SOX WIN: Bostons 2011 season ended with a collapse and tales of fried chicken and beer in the clubhouse; 2012 ended with a last-place finish and 93 losses. New manager John Farrell and his bearded sluggers embraced "Boston Strong" and tied for the best record in the majors in a turnaround few predicted. With timely hits up and down the lineup throughout the playoffs, the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in six games for their third World Series title in a decade. 7. RAVENS SUPER: The power came back on, and Baltimore held on. Ravens coach John Harbaugh beat younger brother Jims San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in the Super Bowl in an unprecedented sibling showdown. But the game will be remembered most for the 34-minute outage at the Superdome in New Orleans. Baltimore star linebacker Ray Lewis rode into retirement with a ring. 8. AWESOME AUBURN: The Tigers turnaround from a 3-9 record to the national title game was stunning enough. Even more shocking was how they did it. A deflected 73-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left gave Auburn a 43-38 win over Georgia on Nov. 16. The play that ended their next game will go down as one of the most memorable in college football history: Chris Davis return of a missed field goal attempt more than 100 yards to beat No. 1 Alabama 34-28. 9. TEO HOAX: Heisman Trophy runner-up Manti Teo struggled in Notre Dames lopsided loss to Alabama in the national title game Jan. 7. Nine days later, his name became forever linked to a most bizarre sports story. That tragic tale about his girlfriends death told over and over as the linebacker starred for an undefeated team? She didnt exist. Teo insisted he was duped into believing the woman he never met in person was real. 10. HEAT TITLE: One more free throw or one more defensive rebound, and the San Antonio Spurs prevent Miami from repeating as champion. Instead, Ray Allen made one of the biggest shots in NBA Finals history, knocking down a second-chance 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to send Game 6 to overtime. The Heat won in the extra period and again in Game 7 to give LeBron James another title. Denver Broncos Jerseys . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Jared Veldheer Broncos Jersey . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Tramaine-Brock-Jersey/ . The Raptors had an early deadline Sunday, a dreaded afternoon game, and they left the bulk of their work until the last minute, as theyve done so many times before.The British and Irish Lions will be strong in New Zealand next year, with Eddie Jones English stars leading the way, says Fran Cotton. Former England captain, Cotton, went on three Lions tours as a player, and was tour manager in South Africa in 1997.He spent nine years working in a number of roles with the Rugby Football Union, and has just been made chairman of Sale Sharks, who he expects to provide several players to England. Cotton says he has been hugely impressed by England since Jones took over - the Aussie has won his first nine matches in charge, incorporating a Six Nations Grand Slam, a friendly win over Wales and a 3-0 series sweep in Australia. Fran Cotton has been appointed the new chairman of Sale It was absolutely fantastic to win the Six Nations, Cotton told Sky Sports News HQ. It is even more impressive to go to Australia and win three Tests. Its easy to go there and win one - but to win three? That is some achievement.England are in a good place. We won in Australia, the U20s won the World Cup. The Saxons beat their counterparts in South Africa. English rugby is in a good place at the moment.Wheere Eddie has been good is his selection has been spot on and consistent. Bradley Chubb Broncos Jersey. Hes not afraid of making major decisions, in selection and in games. He exudes confidence all the time and that translates to the players. Dan Lydiate of the Lions runs with the ball in the second Test against Australia in 2013 And some talented players are coming through - look at Maro Itoje, at 21, how good is he going to be in four, five years time? We are still some way to go if we are going to for fulfil ambitions of winning the World Cup. But we have made one hell of a start under Eddie Jones.A strong England should mean a strong Lions squad in New Zealand next year. The Lions beat Australia three years ago but taking on the world champions will be a significantly tougher prospect.Next year Im sure every player will be excited. Its a tough tour, looking at the itinerary, said Cotton. I think we have a good chance. We have got a very strong England team. Scotland have improved, Ireland are coming through. We have a good squad - and we will need it. The Lions celebrate a famous series win The midweek games look just as tough. Its a big challenge - but I think we will do well.Will there be any Sharks in the Lions squad?We are certainly hoping so, Cotton added. They have to get into the England squad first and they have to play for Sale - and play well for Sale - first. We have some exciting young players and we will be helping them to do as well as they can. 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