This Week's SI

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 12, 2012

This Week's SI

September 10, 2012 Issue

For all the talk surrounding concussions and their life-altering trauma to former football players, Melissa Segura explores the pivotal other side of the discussion: How do the spouses of the afflicted players cope when their husbands' health begins failing? Segura profiles former Super Bowl champion quarterback Jim McMahon and his girlfriend, Laurie Navon, who must constantly remind McMahon that they are a couple. ( To become a subscriber to SI or to give a gift subscription, click on the related link at the bottom of the page or go to SI.com/magazine. Print subscribers can access SI editions on the iPad and other tablets, smartphones )

September 10, 2012 Issue

What's wrong with the Red Sox? Of course the short answer is "everything," but Tom Verducci delves deep into how baseball's model franchise morphed into an utter disaster in under a year. From the "chicken and beer" controversy to the tumultuous year for Bobby Valentine to the enormous salary detonation that sent the expensive Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to Los Angeles, the Red Sox have endured a year to hopefully never remember.

September 10, 2012 Issue

Redskins' fans are expecting Robert Griffin III to put up Cam Newton-like numbers in his rookie season. Panthers' fans are expecting Newton to make an even bigger jump in his sophomore season. As two quarterbacks that will frequently be operating in the pocket, the importance of Tyler Polumbus and Amini Silatolu becomes imperative. Wait, who? Read Matt Gagne's article to learn why these two unheralded names are being heavily relied upon by their respective franchises.

September 10, 2012 Issue

So you want to kick? Lee Jenkins explores the thrilling but tormented world of the college football kickers. Jenkins tries to discover if any solace exists for the players who have experienced rock bottom.

September 10, 2012 Issue

The wit of Phil Taylor is on full display yet again in this week's popular SI staple, The Point After. In reflecting on how refreshing it would be if every quote by a sports figure could be passed through a translator, Taylor offers this jewel for what Bill Belichick really meant: "Our quarterback's wife probably throws a tighter spiral than anyone on the Jets. Miami and Buffalo? The last time those two finished ahead of us, cellphones were the size of carry-on luggage." Read more of Taylor in this week's issue.

September 10, 2012 Issue

"I can't imagine there is anywhere in America where you get escorted into the stadium and there's riot police with dogs and barbed wire around your section." That is Korey Donahoo, the president and co-founder of the American Outlaws, the traveling USA Soccer fan club. Whether it's to the relaxed confines of Antigua or the chaos of Estadio Azteca in Mexico, the Outlaws are well-traveled. Check out Grant Wahl's piece on the fans that understand "fan violence" on an entirely different level.

September 10, 2012 Issue

It's Andy Roddick's final U.S. Open, but S.L. Price argues that is merely one storyline in the most thrilling two-week spectator events in sports. The tournament that was once uncharacteristically rowdy in a traditionally proper sport now contains an audience of hipsters, executives and tennis lifers. "It's a different feel now" says a longtime referee. "The energy's still there, but it's not the bleacher mentality."

September 10, 2012 Issue

After Maurice Jones-Drew ended his 38-day holdout, SI asked its Facebook and Twitter followers: "Do you think the reigning rushing champ is the best back in the AFC, and is he deserving of a restructured deal?" Check out this week's SI to see the feedback.

September 10, 2012 Issue

Dan Patrick sits down with Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson to get an idea what it takes for a player under six feet tall to become an NFL starting quarterback... as a rookie. Flip over to "Just My Type" to learn whether Wilson wants to be remembered as a North Carolina State alum or Wisconsin alum.

September 10, 2012 Issue

Turning a perennial doormat into an annual contender in baseball's toughest division is no small feat, yet Joe Maddon is still considered the most underrated manager in baseball. But which others are lumped in with the hoodied stalwart? The next three managers on the list all come from the same division, and it certainly isn't the AL East.