They were the champions: Recap of major champions across sports

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For some, it was a first. For others, it was familiar territory. 

The sports world saw a host of teams and programs defend their titles, while others made franchise history with their claims to victory. 

Here are some of the teams crowned champions in 2023. 

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Ladd McConkey (84) of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff national championship game at SoFi Stadium Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Georgia Bulldogs kicked off 2023 the same way they did the year prior — as national champions. 

After going undefeated in the regular season (15-0), Georgia defeated LSU 50-30 to win its first SEC title since 2017. The Bulldogs advanced to a CFP semifinal, where they pulled out a narrow victory over Ohio State, giving themselves the opportunity to defend their title. 

On Jan. 9, Georgia, led by quarterback Stetson Bennett, routed TCU 65-7 to win the College Football Playoff national championship for the second consecutive season.

"We wanted our kids to play without fear," head coach Kirby Smart said of the victory. "All year, I told them, I said, ‘We ain’t getting hunted guys, we’re doing the hunting, and hunting season’s almost over. We’ve only got one more chance to hunt,’ and we hunted tonight."

Harrison Butker (7) of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after kicking the go-ahead field goal during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale,