2016 Sports Illustrated Covers

Here is every SI cover from 2016.

2016 Sports Illustrated Covers

Michael Phelps — December 26, 2016

Simon Bruty

Michael Phelps arrived in Rio looking to repair his image and cement his legacy. He did that and then some. The greatest Olympian ever tells SI why he’s now stepping out of the pool.

LeBron James — December 19, 2016

Robert Beck

Our Sportsperson of the Year in 2016, Northeast Ohio's favorite son used his incomparable skills skills to deliver a title to a suddenly revitalized city, while using his voice to have an even wider impact.

Alabama: Jalen Hurts — December 12, 2016

Al Tielemans

This might be Nick Saban's best Alabama team, and he's already won four national titles with the Tide. The decision to start freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has made the offense a chimera that can beat defenses as an up-tempo spread or as a pro-style bulldozer.

Ohio State: J.T. Barrett — December 12, 2016

Jeff Haynes

As Ohio State enters the 2017 College Football Playoff with a weak offensive line, pedestrian wideouts and no game-breaking tailback, Urban Meyer needs to rekindle the conservative ethos of his predecessor. "If Ohio State is going to win the national title," said a coach who scouted them extensively this season, "they're going to have to win it on defense and special teams."

Washington: Darrell Daniels — December 12, 2016

Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports

The Huskies know how to win in every way possible: They can blow you out (Stanford), come from behind (Arizona), start slow and finish fast (Cal), get a heroic play in a clutch moment (Utah) and start slow before blowing you out on your home field (Washington State). Washington proved that it's ready to play with any team in the country, even—gasp!—undefeated Alabama.

Dwayne Johnson — December 5, 2016

Michael J. LeBrecht II

How do you become Hollywood's biggest star? Use your faded NFL dream to motivate a series of reinventions that leave just one question unanswered: Is there anything Dwayne Johnson can't do?

Raider Nation — November 21-28, 2016

John W. McDonough

Anger and elation, fear and fascination, hatred and love, all coexisting. Statistical figures that suggest one thing, boots-on-the-ground reporting that shows another. Sound familiar, America? In 2016 the sport of football, like this country, finds itself somewhere between a crossroads and an existential crisis. SI spent an entire month traveling the U.S., interviewing hundreds of people touched by the many tentacles the game stretches through society. The result: A portrait of today's sport that answers the question, How do we feel about football right now?

Chicago Cubs — November 21-28, 2016

Illustration by Rafa Alvarez

The end of the Cubs' 108-year title drought has unleashed a flood of emotions in Chicago, some of them belonging to the players who made it happen.

Anthony Rizzo — November 14, 2016

Al Tielemans

An exuberant Anthony Rizzo is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated commemorating the Chicago Cubs' World Series win. Rizzo's exuberance is certainly justified by the 108 years it took the Cubs to secure a World Series championship, which they finally did in the early hours of Thursday morning with an 8–7, extra inning victory over the Cleveland Indians after a rain delay. SI's Tom Verducci writes in the cover story that the city now has a new player to be called the greatest of all time.

Chris Boucher — November 7, 2016

Robert Beck

Canadian import Chris Boucher took a most unusual route to Division I, but he found his way to Oregon at just the right time: He makes the Ducks serious candidates for their first national title in 78 years.

Russell Westbrook — October 24-31, 2016

Robert Beck; Photo Illustration by Stephen Skalocky; Background by Greg Nelson

After a wild off-season, the NBA is back. And nowhere will changes be more evident than in Oklahoma City, where Russell Westbrook has gone all in on his commitment to the new-look, but still tight-knit, Thunder

Dak Prescott — October 17, 2016

Greg Nelson

Five weeks in the life of quarterback Dak Prescott suggest he's the most prepared rookie passer in the NFL and a perfect fit for a franchise hoping to make a transition. The Cowboys just never thought he'd be ready this fast. There are worse problems to have.

Chicago Cubs — October 10, 2016

Jamie Squire/Getty Images (18); Robbie Rogers/MLB Photos/Getty Images (Chapman)

When the Cubs last won the World Series, now long-defunct weekly Sporting Life put key players on the cover of its Oct. 24, 1908, issue. It was the perfect inspiration for our cover predicting that a month from now, Chicago fans will party like it's 1908.

Arnold Palmer — October 3, 2016

Jerry Cooke

For all he accomplished on the golf course, Arnold Palmer will also be remembered for his charisma and humility—and by the countless lives he touched.

Lamar Jackson — September 26, 2016

David Klutho

Faster than a speeding Seminole, more powerful than a pistol offense, able to leap tall cornerbacks in a single bound. Look, up in the Heisman rankings! It's a Cardinal! It's a quarterback! It's Louisville sophomore sensation Lamar Jackson.

Kahlil Mack — September 19, 2016

Robert Beck

Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack is featured on the cover of the first issue of Sports Illustrated crafted by the staff of The MMQB. The MMQB's Peter King and his staff took over production of the magazine for this week, putting together an issue filled with the types of in-depth stories about professional football that have made his site so successful as it enters the fourth NFL season since its creation. In this week's magazine, Robert Klemko explores why the path Mack took to the NFL made him better than the players drafted above him—including Jadeveon Clowney.

DeAndre Hopkins — September 12, 2016

Michael J. LeBrecht II

In an ever-evolving game, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has the talent and the tenacity to take advantage of the changes and become the best at his position.

Aaron Donald — September 12, 2016

Robert Beck

In an ever-evolving game, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has the talent and the tenacity to take advantage of the changes and become the best at his position.

Trai Turner — September 12, 2016

Chris Keane

In an ever-evolving game, Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner has the talent and the tenacity to take advantage of the changes and become the best at his position.

Mike Daniels — September 12, 2016

John W. McDonough

In an ever-evolving game, Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels has the talent and the tenacity to take advantage of the changes and become the best at his position.

Larry Fitzgerald — August 29-September 5, 2016

John W. McDonough

With weapons like Fitzgerald, who's enjoying a late renaissance, the Arizona Cardinals are SI's pick to win Super Bowl LI, 40–37 over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Antonio Brown — August 29-September 5, 2016

Al Tielemans

Brown has been the gold standard at receiver with a league-leading 265 catches over the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Von Miller — August 29-September 5, 2016

Jamie Schwaberow

For the MVP of Super Bowl 50 it's been all fun—and travel—since he delivered the Denver Broncos' victory in the big game.

Cam Newton — August 29-September 5, 2016

Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

So what if he was a virtual recluse this off-season? The first thing you need to know about the Carolina Panthers' quarterback is that he's not going to change for anyone.

Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps and Simone Biles — August 22, 2016

Simon Bruty

This is the 11th SI cover for Phelps and not the first he has shared with Biles and Ledecky. All three athletes are profiled in this week’s issue. S.L. Price follows up his profile of Ledecky from May 24 with a piece about her accomplishments in Rio; Tim Layden expands on his profile of Phelps from November 2015 and looks at the closing chapter of Phelps’s swimming career; and Brian Cazeneuve, who wrote a feature about Biles in 2014, takes stock of the transcendent gymnast’s Olympic performance.

Jabrill Peppers — August 15, 2016

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The answer to the up-tempo offense isn't a scheme—it's a person, a versatile defender like Michigan's Jabrill Peppers, who can play anywhere and make a quarterback doubt everything.

Josh Rosen — August 15, 2016

Robert Beck

Although he was shielded from the press last season, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen still made waves on social media. Now the reigning Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year is ready for his close-up. Smart, supremely confident and a bit of a wild card, he's determined to keep it real, but where that will leave him on the Manning-Manziel continuum is anyone's guess.

Deshuan Watson — August 15, 2016

Bill Frakes

After his brilliant performance in the national title game Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson comes soaring into the new season, but he's got help carrying the sport's banner. This year an abundance of high-profile, high-achieving players are back, and excitement is, well, high.

Greg Ward Jr. — August 15, 2016

Greg Nelson

Houston coach Tom Herman and his quarterback, Greg Ward Jr., have overcome serious doubts about each other to run, pass and shout their way into the national title conversation.

LeBron James — August 8, 2016

Robert Beck

After the Cavaliers' uneven start, LeBron James found his voice and led them to their first title. With that one out of the way, he has set his sights on Golden State's Fantastic Four—and the legacy of the best player the game has ever seen.

Team USA — July 25-August 1, 2016

Michael LeBrecht II (Durant); Al Tielemans (Ledecky); Simon Bruty (Biles, Felix, Eaton); Robert Beck (Phelps); Ben Van Hook (Morgan)

For six weeks, from Olympics opening to Paralympics closing, a disparate band of men and women represent ONE COUNRTY with one common goal: GOLD.

Kevin Durant — July 18, 2016

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

After a relentless pursuit—and with an assist from an unlikely source—the Warriors beat out five other teams to win the Kevin Durant sweepstakes.

Usain Bolt — July 18, 2016

Robert Beck

The fastest man who has ever lived, Usain Bolt has withstood a balky hamstring, a needy public and precocious challengers for nine years. He plans to conclude his unprecedented Olympic career with three more gold medals.

Caitlyn Jenner — July 4-11, 2016

Yu Tsai

Forty years after becoming a national celebrity for winning decathlon gold as Bruce Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner is the most famous transgender person on the planet—and at last comfortable in her own skin.

Ken Griffey Jr. — July 4-11, 2016

Walter Iooss Jr.

How could one of baseball's biggest stars just... disappear? Junior always said he'd go quietly, but his hoopla-free retirement meant a modern giant of the game never got a proper send-off. Now, as he prepares to enter Cooperstown, it's time.

LeBron James — June 27, 2016

Greg Nelson

Down 3-1 to the best team in history? Not a problem for LeBron James, whose three epic performances capped an unprecedented comeback for the Cavaliers and ended Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.

Sidney Crosby — June 20, 2016

David E. Klutho

Conn Smythe winner—and two-time champion—Sidney Crosby led a reconstructed roster that helped return the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh as the retooled Penguins downed the Sharks to win their second Cup in seven years.

Gordie Howe — June 20, 2016

Richard Meek

On the ice, Gordie Howe was all business—and often all elbows. Off it, he was one of his game's most endearing and generous ambassadors. The Hockey Hall of Famer and 23-time NHL All-Star, known as “Mr. Hockey," died on June 10, 2016, at age 88.

Muhammad Ali — June 13, 2016

Neil Leifer

He was the greatest boxer of all time, but Muhammad Ali's influence wasn't limited to the ring. An inspiration to many, Ali the social activist used his infectious personality and international platform to bring awareness to everything from civil rights to the Special Olympics to combatting Parkinson's disease.

Kyrie Irving — June 6, 2016

David E. Klutho

By picking up the pace—and settling into his sidekick role—Kyrie Irving has the Cavaliers four wins aways from finally delivering a title to their starved fans.

Lionel Messi — May 30, 2016

Yu Tsai

The five-time World Player of the Year shares his excitement about playing in the U.S. during Copa America—and how he hopes the trip ends Argentina's trophy drought.

Draymond Green — May 23, 2016

John W. McDonough

There's only one Draymond Green: a playmaking marksman who stifles 7-footers. But unheard of versatility is only the beginning of what he brings to the Warriors.

Chicago Cubs — May 16, 2016

Stephen Green

Wrigley Field is the happiest place in the world, and for once it has nothing to do with the activities in the bleachers. The Cubs' start is historic—but it's a history-making ending that's on everyone's mind.

Vin Scully — May 16, 2016

Illustration by Tim O’Brien

After 67 years as baseball fans' best friend, the voice of summer is in his final season in the booth. Want to know the man behind the mike? Pull up a chair...

Jared Goff — May 9, 2016

Robert Beck

Talk about an arms trade: Three teams moved up to select QBs in the first round. No. 1 pick Jared Goff of Cal is ready to become the face of the franchise in L.A.

Carson Wentz — May 9, 2016

Al Tielemans

SI senior writer Greg Bishop expects the Philadelphia Eagles to start Carson Wentz, the No. 2 pick out of North Dakota State, at quarterback sometime this season.

Paxton Lynch — May 9, 2016

Garrett W. Ellwood

The Broncos traded up for the 26th overall pick to draft Paxton Lynch, an exceptionally athletic 6' 7", 244 pounds, ideal for Denver coach Gary Kubiak’s system, which emphasizes stretch plays, rollouts and play-action.

Craig Sager — May 2, 2016

Michael LeBrecht II

By remaining defiantly optimistic and energetic during a grueling, two-year battle with cancer, TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager has evolved from the NBA's most colorful character into its most esteemed.

Steph Curry — April 18-25, 2016

David E. Klutho

During a rapturous, history-making season, Steph Curry and the Warriors made believers out of hard-core fans and hoops novices alike — everyone, it seems, except the teams gunning for the Dubs in the playoffs.

Victor Cruz — April 18-25, 2016

Michael Lebrecht II

Flip Cover: Stylists, models, journalists and other leading influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI editors to help shape the Fashionable 50 list, ultimately selecting a top 10 and 40 other sartorial icons.

Russell Westbrook — April 18-25, 2016

Simon Bruty

Flip Cover: Stylists, models, journalists and other leading influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI editors to help shape the Fashionable 50 list, ultimately selecting a top 10 and 40 other sartorial icons.

Swin Cash — April 18-25, 2016

Michael Lebrecht II

Flip Cover: Stylists, models, journalists and other leading influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI editors to help shape the Fashionable 50 list, ultimately selecting a top 10 and 40 other sartorial icons.

Von Miller — April 18-25, 2016

Yu Tsai

Flip Cover: Stylists, models, journalists and other leading influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI editors to help shape the Fashionable 50 list, ultimately selecting a top 10 and 40 other sartorial icons.

Kris Jenkins — April 11, 2016

Greg Nelson

Kris Jenkins's buzzer-beating three gave Villanova its first championship in 31 years as the Wildcats defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 77–74.

Tiger Woods — April 4, 2016

John Biever

Tiger Woods is featured on the national cover of Sports Illustrated ahead of the 2016 Masters. SI’s Alan Shipuck looks back on Woods’s career over the eight years since he last won a major title, and explains why the 40-year-old former star may never regain his dominance on the sport.

Buddy Hield — April 4, 2016

John W. McDonough

Oklahoma star Buddy Hield is featured on the regional cover of Sports Illustrated ahead of the Sooners’ Final Four matchup with the Villanova Wildcats. SI’s Greg Bishop writes about Hield’s dazzling performance against Oregon in the Elite Eight, and explains why the Big 12 Player of the Year’s dominance along with his infectious positivity has turned stars such as Kobe Bryant into fans.

Houston Astros: Carlos Correa, Dallas Keuchel and Jose Altuve — March 28, 2016

Jeffery A. Salter

The Houston Astros, SI’s pick to win the World Series, are represented by Carlos Correa, Dallas Keuchel and Jose Altuve on one of four regional covers.

Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Jake Arrieta and Kris Bryant — March 28, 2016

Robert Beck

Chicago Cubs Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant and Jake Arrieta are projected to be the NL Central winners and the World Series runners-up. Their cover is accompanied by a Tom Verducci profile of 2015 Cy Young winner Arrieta.

New York Mets: Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia — March 28, 2016

Jeffery A. Salter

Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Jeurys Familia of the New York Mets are SI’s NL East winners.

San Francisco Giants: Johnny Cueto, Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner — March 28, 2016

Robert Beck

Though the Dodgers are projected to finish over the Giants, Johnny Cueto, Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner are predicted to earn San Francisco a wild-card berth.

Brice Johnson — March 21, 2016

Chris Keane

Senior forward Brice Johnson represents the Tar Heels on UNC’s cover — one of four regional March Madness covers — which touts North Carolina as one of SI’s picks to reach the Final Four.

Buddy Hield — March 21, 2016

Greg Nelson

Senior guard Buddy Hield stars on the Oklahoma cover — one of four regional March Madness covers. The Sooners also reach the Final Four in SI’s bracket, facing off against Kansas while UNC takes on Michigan State.

Breanna Stewart — March 21, 2016

Michael Lebrecht II

Connecticut star Breanna Stewart represents the women’s tournament on her own cover — one of four regional March Madness covers.

Jarrod Uthoff — March 21, 2016

David Klutho

Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff rounds out the group of four regional March Madness covers.

Patrick Kane — March 14, 2016

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

On the ice, it all comes so easily for Patrick Kane. Life off it is more complicated, whether he's behaving immaturely—or worse—or navigating a hometown that bred him to be the best but can also bring out his worst.

Kawhi Leonard — March 14, 2016

Greg Nelson

The Island of Kawhi — distant and accessible to only a few, the game's most dominant defender and underrated superstar desperately cultivates greatness, if not an image. He also is giving a second wind to the Spurs' dynasty, the best bet to unseat the Warriors.

Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson — March 7, 2016

Walter Iooss Jr.

Spending time with Steph Curry and Co., Rick Reilly found that the NBA's best team doesn't merely dominate. It also delights, enthralls and inspires.

Conor McGregor — February 29, 2016

Deirdre Brennan/Redux

He is the brightest star in the UFC cosmos right now, the sport’s center of gravity, and the rare fighter whose talents in the Octagon keep pace with his talents for promotion. Conor McGregor’s fight at UFC 196 may now be in limbo, but there are no questions about the UFC featherweight champion star’s popularity and rise.

Hailey Clauson — (Swimsuit) Winter 2016

James Macari

Two-time SI Swimsuit model Hailey Clauson landed one of three individual SI Swimsuit 2016 covers.

Ashley Graham — (Swimsuit) Winter 2016

James Macari

Rookie and body diversity advocate Ashley Graham landed one of three individual SI Swimsuit 2016 covers.

Ronda Rousey — (Swimsuit) Winter 2016

Frederic Pinet

UFC champion Ronda Rousey landed one of three individual SI Swimsuit 2016 covers.

Von Miller (Super Bowl 50) — February 15-22, 2016

Donald Miralle

Von Miller and Co. blew up Cam Newton's presumed coronation party, leaving us to ponder: Will we ever see another championship D this good?

Face of a Franchise — February 8, 2016

Photo composite by SI Art Department

A study of quarterbacks appearance and leadership ability gets some surprising results in an excerpt which also appears in the new book This is Your Brain on Sports by L. Jon Wertheim and Sam Sommers—one a writer at SI, the other a Tufts psychology professor. Quarterbacks included in this week’s cover, from top to bottom: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger.

Jarrod Uthoff — February 8, 2016

Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

Landing a big fish may be what gets forward Jarrod Uthoff excited, but it's his jump shooting, shot blocking and senior savvy that has surprising Iowa angling for a title. The senior forward and his fellow veterans have driven upstart Iowa into the Top 10.

Cam Newton — February 1, 2016

Chris Keane

MVP candidate Cam Newton threw for 335 yards with two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 49–15 rout of the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The dominant performance earned Carolina a ticket to face the top–ranked Denver defense in the Super Bowl, the Panthers’ first chance at an NFL title since losing the Super Bowl to the Patriots in 2003. In this cover story, SI’s Austin Murphy discusses how Newton inspired a team of misfits to become the odds-on Super Bowl favorites.

Von Miller and Tom Brady — February 1, 2016

Donald Miralle

In the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, the No. 1 Broncos defense limited Tom Brady to one touchdown with two interceptions and four sacks as Denver clinched its Super Bowl berth with a 20–18 victory. As the Broncos advance to face the Panthers’ red-hot offense, SI’s Greg Bishop writes how Denver’s defense propelled Peyton Manning to his chance at a second championship ring.

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady — January 25, 2016

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images; John Mersits/CSM

The New England Patriots will face the Denver Broncos on Sunday for the right to advance to Super Bowl 50. The game is the 17th meeting between Brady and Manning. Brady and the Patriots lead Manning 11–5 in head-to-head meetings, four of which have been for the AFC crown. SI’s Greg Bedard previews the matchup, writing that the Patriots’ adaptable offense will be the reason New England is able to overcome Denver and advance to its second straight Super Bowl.

Larry Fitzgerald — January 25, 2016

John W. McDonough

The Cardinals earned a chance to play for their second NFC title by overcoming the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers and a Hail Mary pass in the divisional playoff game last Saturday. In the cover story, SI’s Austin Murphy chronicles player reactions to Fitzgerald’s 75-yard catch and run on the first possession of overtime that culminated in a touchdown and brought the Cardinals one step closer to appearing in Super Bowl 50.

Alabama (National Champs) — January 18, 2016

John W. McDonough

Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to help lift Alabama to a 45-40 win over Clemson in the national championship game.

Adrian Peterson — January 11, 2016

Beck Diefenbach/AP

Sixteen months after being indicted by a grand jury on child abuse charges, Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing and propels the Vikings to a NFC North division title.

Clemson — January 11, 2016

Al Tielemans; LM Otero/AP

The new kids on the block continue to turn heads and roll over opponents, but can these Clemson Tigers take down Alabama and prove to the college football world that they’re the best?