SI.com’s 10 most popular stories from the week ending Nov. 20
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.
A Quarterback and His Game Plan
Paul Spinelli/Associated Press
Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals allowed The MMQB inside the installation of the game plan for their Week 8 meeting with the Browns. How does a QB absorb and apply so much complexity—nearly 200 plays, plus all of their possible permutations and adjustments—in less than a week? Commitment and confidence help—and so does virtual reality. By Peter King.
The Center of Innovation
Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images
TruSox, a brand of sock created by former Crystal Palace USA player-coach Jim Cherneski, has become one of the most prominent athletic brands in the soccer world. Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale, Edinson Cavani and a number of other international stars wear them–and they don't get a dime in return. By Grant Wahl.
The Car Club
Josh Reynolds/Associated Press
One of the most popular sports traditions comes at the end of the Super Bowl, when the MVP is presented with a brand new car during the victory celebration. But giving out a new car in a championship game is a tradition older than the Super Bowl itself, and this story examines its long history. By Andrew Lawrence.
Wall Street to the Power Five
Charles Slate/Associated Press
Joe Moglia didn't retire to an island in the Carribbean when his run as CEO of TD Ameritrade was over. Instead, he took over as the head coach for Coastal Carolina's football team. By Pete Thamel.
Hometown History
Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press
Fred VanVleet burst onto the national scene when his Wichita State Shockers made waves in the NCAA tournament. But his story is a long one, one that involves getting out of his rough neighborhood and into the limelight. By Luke Winn.
Super Bowl 100
Courtesy of Populous
The NFL is constantly changing, and so is the way we watch it. For this story, SI turned to architecture firm Populous to see their vision for the NFL stadium of the future. By Tim Newcomb.
Gurley, man...
L.G. Patterson/Associated Press
Todd Gurley has only played seven games this year, but has already cemented himself as the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Even better, he's already getting comparisons to all-time greats, such as Adrian Peterson, Herschel Walker and Eric Dickerson. By Greg Bishop.
The All-Anomaly Team
Mike Groll/Associated Press
Less than a month into the NBA season, this year has already become the year of the statistical anomalies. One player has more assists than field goal attempts; another hasn't registered a single assist all season. Here's SI's All-Anomaly team, which collects the players with the five weirdest stat lines of the young season. By Ben Golliver.
Steady Hand, Core Values
Nati Harnik/Associated Press
Mark Dantonio is a coach known for his integrity, exemplified by the fact that he refused to talk to Michigan State while he was still at Cincinnati. Nine years into his tenure with the Spartans, he has brought stability and consistency to the program. By Michael Rosenberg.
A Privilege and an Honor
John Bazemore/Associated Press
Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer, now a redshirt senior, has spent a lot of time playing for Frank Beamer. Ahead of Beamer's last home game, Brewer writes about his experience playing for the legendary coach. By Michael Brewer.
SI Vault: The Best Years Of His Life
Tyler Kaufman/Icon SMI
In this story, originally published in the August 12, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated, John Ed Bradley writes about his days playing football for the LSU Tigers and why, for a long time, he tried to forget that he ever had. By John Ed Bradley.
