SI.com’s 10 most popular stories from the week ending Dec. 11
Here is a roundup of SI.com’s 10 most popular stories this week. Be sure to read to the bottom for a bonus story from the SI Vault.
SI Social 100
Four years ago, SI introduced the Twitter 100. In Year 5, we’re taking a larger look at the social media landscape. The 100 must-follows are still here, but there’s also so much more, including social media accounts we want to see, the Year in Tweets and our social superlatives. By SI Staff.
Underdogs: Middletown High School
SI Films
After a massive wildfire ravaged their Northern California community, the Middletown High School football team returned to the field to try and heal. This is the second episode of Season 4 of SI Films’ Underdogs.
Dreaming Bigger
Bob Leverone/AP
Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson has come a long way. In the process, he has carried Clemson with him to the College Football Playoff. By Pete Thamel.
‘Paid to Give Concussions’
John Biever/Sports Illustrated
The MMQB screened Will Smith’s upcoming drama Concussion with 70 former NFL players. For some, it was a panic-inducing horror flick. By Emily Kaplan.
Andrew Copp’s path to NHL lined with pigskin
Radek-Mica-AFP/Getty Images
Juggling an intense schedule of hockey and high school football helped Winnipeg Jets forward Andrew Copp reach the NHL. By Alex Prewitt.
The Ageless Wonder
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Charles Woodson reflects on his football life—from falling in love with the game in the backyard, to winning the Heisman, to playing for Al Davis and the infamous Tuck Rule game, to winning the Lombardi Trophy in Green Bay. Will the elder statesman return for one more season—at least? By Peter King.
When Super Bowl champs played college all-stars
Brandon Wade/Associated Press
In 1976, 22-year-old Jackie Slater out of Jackson State played in a game that was known as the College All-Star Football Classic, where he and other stars faced off against Joe Greene and the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. By Andrew Lawrence.
Master of All
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Stanford sophomore Christian McCaffrey is arguably the nation’s best running back and undoubtedly its best all-purpose player. Is there anything the Heisman Trophy finalist can’t do? By Lindsay Schnell.
SI presents First-Quarter NBA Awards
Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images
Stephen Curry, Andre Drummond and Kawhi Leonard lead SI.com’s first-quarter awards. By Ben Golliver.
For Jason Witten, it would hurt more not to play
Darren Carroll for Sports Illustrated
Concussions, sprained joints, a broken jaw—no amount of pain can keep tight end Jason Witten, the greatest receiver in Cowboys history, from taking the field. It’s just the way he was raised. By S.L. Price.
SI Vault: Pete Rose chases Joe DiMaggio’s sacred hitting streak
John Iacono for Sports Illustrated
In this SI Vault story from 1978, Larry Keith follows Pete Rose as he embarks on a 44-game hitting streak and chases Joe DiMaggio and the ghosts of baseball’s past. By Larry Keith.
