When the internet was first booming, a popular file format, the GIF (.gif, pronounced either “Jiff” or with a hard ‘g’) exploded. As a low-resolution file, it only uses 256 colors, so the images load incredibly fast on the internet. And, the best part? They can be animated and the animation will loop continuously.
For a while, we mostly saw GIFs being used as little emoticons. But, quickly, web developers discovered there is an odd, intrinsically humorous value in using them to watch a funny moment be replayed over and over and over. With the small file size and the funny loop quality, GIFs became perfect for capturing unexpected sports moments.
Here’s a look at some sport moments that have been immortalized in GIFs. Eight reasons why we love watching sports GIFs:
