Enterprise Includes Major Partnership with SportTechie

(New York, NY, June 15, 2016)—Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) Sports Illustrated Group today debuted “Tech & Media” (SI.com/tech), a new multi-platform vertical that will explore the rapidly evolving and all-important presence of technology in the sports world. In addition to SI’s award-winning reporting and analysis, the new venture will feature daily contributions from SportTechie, a leading site covering the global sports and tech scene. Also anchoring the vertical will be Richard Deitsch’s “Media Circus” columns and breaking sports media news. Deitsch, who is a writer/reporter for SI and an adjunct professor at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, is the preeminent journalist on the sports media beat and is renowned for breaking news and his access to every major sports media decision-maker, producer, and A-list talent.

“From video replay to VR, from social media to wearables and the total transformation of the full spectator and athlete experience, the crossroads of sports, media and technology is alive with innovation and is an integral part of the sports landscape today,” said Chris Stone, Sports Illustrated Editorial Director. “These are deep-dive stories that no one is telling and we are going to cover them across all of our platforms and in the best tradition of Sports Illustrated. This will only be bolstered by our alliance with SportTechie, the incredibly smart upstart site that will stay one step ahead of the competition and build on the mission to help sports fans understand where technology is taking the future of sports.”

Multimedia coverage of game-changing innovations, products and strategies and the latest from Deitsch on emerging trends in sports media will run across SI’s digital and social ecosystems. Content will be rich in long and short form video with social media heavily integrated into the storytelling. The vertical will also feature native digital content presented in imaginative and compelling packages.

With this new dedicated editorial platform, sports fans and industry insiders will find the latest on tech innovations, ideas and gear transforming fan experiences, player performance and the sports industry as a whole. SI and SportTechie will deliver a mix of multi-platform content daily, including new offerings like a social-first series spotlighting innovators from the sports and tech industries. Long-form features will explore topics not previously introduced to the sports public yet essential to understanding where sports is going: stories such as the development of FreeD, which could dramatically change instant replay for viewers and pro sports leagues by providing precise 360-degree views of the action; the proliferation of sports betting mutual funds; the 3D printers that are building cartilage that is saving the careers of teen athletes; and how the newest, youngest influencers in sports are leveraging digital media to build the industry’s biggest, best audiences. This new partnership will also reach more broadly across the SI Group with collaborations slated for The MMQB and other channels beginning this fall.

SportTechie launched several years ago and has rapidly become one of the industry’s leading destinations for coverage of the technology of sports. Established as required reading for many top executives in sports business and tech, the growing operation will complement the established SI Group in new and innovative ways.

“We are thrilled to enter into this robust partnership with such an esteemed outlet. In conjunction with Sports Illustrated, my co-founder, Simon Ogus, and I look forward to amplifying the great work of our writers and the stories of the burgeoning sports technology space across our combined global audiences and platforms,” said Taylor Bloom, SportTechie’s CEO and co-founder. “Technology will never stop evolving sports, and we look forward to remaining at the forefront of that evolution.”

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NEW YORK, NY (April 15, 2015) –  This week’s Sports Illustrated features 21-year-old Masters Champion Jordan Spieth on the national cover, mimicking a cover shot seen 14 years ago as following Tiger Wood’s second masters victory. In an SI exclusive feature, Rex Ryan has brought new life – and new hope – to the Buffalo Bills and appears on one of this week’s regional covers. University of Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma and the 10-time national champion Huskies goes on the record with Richard Deitsch with a firsthand tale of perfection, phone calls from the President and his NBA dream.

This issue also includes with NFL Draft Preview with 60 pages of NFL draft coverage to prepare for what promises to be a top notch year. Austin Murphy profiles pick between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston for who should be the No. 1 pick. Coverage includes breakdowns by position – from wide receivers and running backs to tight ends and linemen. The issue closes with Ben Baskin’s draft laundry list and Chris Burke’s 2015 mock draft.

Jenny Vrentas: The Rex Effect

Rex Ryan’s arrival in Buffalo has turned the Bills’ franchise from a team agonizing over a 15-year playoff drought to one where the playoffs –and more – are already being promised. The reason behind this? None other than Rex Ryan.

Following a tumultuous ending with the Jets, Ryan has landed in Buffalo, infusing into the area traits that haven’t had since their Super Bowl heyday: personality, excitement and optimism. Ryan has only been the coach of the Bills for three months, but has already become the face of the franchise. He has won over the fans and the franchise’s legends – Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas –  and his arrival has created an atmosphere of hope and faith. Described as a Buffalo guy at heart (he drives a pickup truck, drinks beer, wears a throwback jersey and had his Jets tattoo redone to fit the Bills) Ryan is already making bold predictions for the Bills, With a roster loaded with stars –including one, Lesean McCoy, that took only 30 minutes to acquire – they may come true.

Ryan on his last days with the Jets: “I wasn’t the boss anymore, I was just a guy. Whether they want to say it or not, all of a sudden I became less important to the team. They were trying to pull away from me, like it was my fault, somehow, that people identified the Jets with me, and that was a bad thing and not a good thing. I was just being who I was. From that point on I knew I wasn’t going to be long for that job.”

His expectations for Buffalo: “I want to win the damn Super Bowl, that’s what drives me. I don’t want to just be known as good. I want to be special. For our team, for our franchise here in Buffalo, that’s what we want.”

His feelings towards the Jets: “I want success for Woody Johnson, I do. But don’t kid yourself – we’re gonna try to kick the s— out of them when we bring our team in. We’re going to try to whip your ass. There are people in that organization who are going to be lifelong friends to me. But this is my damn football family.

Alan Shipnuck: Old School

Few records were left unchallenged as 21-year-old Jordan Spieth took his pure putting stroke and a maturity that exceeds his age to put on a show at Augusta National and stamp himself as America’s future star. His grip and swing may not be textbook, but 14 years after Tiger Woods won his second Masters, Spieth was rewriting the record book and etching his name into an exclusive club in the process.

“His composure is Bernhard Langer-like, which is incredible for 21. That’s his x-factor.” – Tour sage Geoff Ogilvy

“Jordan Spieth might be the perfect Texas pro: the focus and will of Hogan, the likeability of Nelson, and the putting stroke of Crenshaw.” – Dan Jenkins, dean of American sportswriters

Geno Auriemma (As told to Richard Deitsch): Leader of the pack

After winning his 10^th title, Geno goes on the record to discuss John Wooden, his NBA fantasies and coaching perhaps the best women’s player ever. Speaking about texts from Gregg Popovich, jabs from the President, and the tradition of being carried off the court after a national championship, Geno gives us a look into his world, his 10 titles and his five perfect seasons.

“It’s interesting to me that people who have achieved great things and understand how hard it is to be really good at something are the first people to congratulate you.” – Auriemma

“I’m still excited and emotional about what I do. When the charge isn’t there anymore, then I’ll know it’s time to get out. But as long as it is, you’ll see me around the gym.” – Auriemma

“It was a magical win, it was an unbelievable win. The thing is: these kids really never get the credit a team [not] coached by me or [a team not] at Duke would get. There are eight guys. Four of them are freshmen! Are you kidding me? But because I’ve coached national championships….We understood it as a staff the whole year. This is like: Holy mackerel! How are they doing all this? But they have.”

– Coach Mike Kryzewski

“I can’t even tell you who we had. All I know is I had confidence in all our guys, so what the heck? I would like to say there was some great strategy or something.”

– Kryzewski on the second-half lineups

NEW YORK, NY (April 7, 2015) – Following an epic fifth championship win, Sports Illustrated features freshman point guard and late game hero Tyus Jones. This season just ended but Seth Davis is already thinking about the fall as he breaks down next season’s top 10 teams and who will be at the top of the polls. Luke Winn discusses Kentucky’s magical run in a season that seemed made for Hollywood – until Wisconsin flipped the script as he takes us into the world of the Wildcats following their semifinal loss to the Badgers.

Also in the issue, Joan Niesen tells us the story of Jayson Tatum, the Missouri high school star who could play for any college in the nation and who – and what – could lead him to stay in the city he loves. Jack Dickey documents the New York Islanders last season in the suburbs and their push for another Stanley Cup before they flee for Brooklyn. Michael McCarthy, an internal medicine doctor at Columbia Presbyterian, examines the science of sleep and how it has helped one slugger overcome three decades of sleep apnea.

Below is the link to the high res cover

https://app.box.com/files/0/f/3397251846/1/f_28460732686

Michael Rosenberg: Deal With the Devils

Too many, this was Kentucky’s year and everybody could see it. Then Wisconsin beat Kentucky and Duke beat Wisconsin and instead of a team making history and going 40-0, the coach with the most wins ever led the most successful program of the modern era to another national title. Behind it all was a team that was loaded but young, selfless but sometimes sloppy, occasionally overpowering but laughably thin. They weren’t expected to win the championship half-way through the season, but with Coach K at the helm, a series of tweaks and tinkering and a standout performance by an unlikely hero, the Blue Devils won another championship in Indianapolis.

“I can’t get to the level of playing defense like my 2001 [championship] team unless I have a number of older guys. It takes that long to be that good. So I have to accept a certain amount of slippage both offensively and defensively, and that means maybe trying out some other things.” – Mike Kryzewski

Joan Niesen: Home Game

Jayson Tatum is the most coveted high school player in the country, his 6’ 9” frame resembles Kevin Durant’s and his style of play does too. With the end of the college hoops season in sight, the recruiting season is soon to begin and the biggest names in basketball want Jayson in their uniforms. The pull to the elite programs is strong, but home is where the heart is: his father, his mother, best friends and mentors all stayed and played in St. Louis and they would love to keep that tradition going. But one thing is for certain, Jayson’s decision is one that will surely shock the basketball world.

“Be a trendsetter, you don’t have to go on this road because it was made for Shane Battier or Grant Hill. You can do what they did – at home.” – Justin Tatum, Jayson’s father

Jack Dickey: The Last Waltz

The New York Islanders have spent the better part of the last three decades as a laughingstock. From slow decline to flat-out bad, the Islanders have been reborn – they are fifth best in the Eastern Conference and are having their best season in points since 1984 and are no longer a joke. The Islanders were are proud to be one of the last remaining professional teams to play in the suburbs, but are headed to Brooklyn next year in hopes of bringing the franchise exactly what their old arena brought when it was developed in 1950 amongst the Levittown homes: a new way of life.

Matt McCarthy: Nap Time

Finding new competitive advantages has been at the heart of baseball for the last dozen years, but it has been a statistically-driven narrative. Now, Opening Day behind us and with the playoff race wide open, players and teams are looking for anything that will give them an advantage – medicine, sleep behavior and nutrition. The biggest advantage though may also be the most basic of human needs: sleep. With 162 games in the span of approximately 182 days, sleep control has become baseball’s new secret weapon as the Red Sox’ Mike Napoli, who has been plagued with sleep apnea, shows.

“I used to wake up 50 or a hundred times a night, now I’m actually sleeping, I’m not tired all the time.” – Mike Napoli

“Our research shows that sleepy players don’t tend to stay in major league baseball as long as well-rested players. You need sleep to do all kinds of things: to produce growth hormone, to fight infections and to heal.” – Dr. Christopher Winter, Medical Director of the Martha Jefferson Sleep Medicine Center

NEW YORK, NY (April 1, 2015) – This week’s Sports Illustrated features Oklahoma City Thunder guard and one-man stat sheet stuffer Russell Westbrook on the national cover and Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wildcats quest for the perfect season on the regional cover. The issue also includes an essay by Asher Price about a chance encounter with Lance Armstrong. Plus, as the national championship approaches, SI’s top writers offer a team-by-team breakdown of the schools headed to this year’s Final Four, a huge favorite, another top seed and a party crasher in green. Also included is a scout’s take on each matchup leading to the championship: who has the edge, and who will meet in Indianapolis for the conclusion of the Big Dance.

Also in the issue, Greg Bishop writes about Garrett Grayson, a traditional pocket-passing quarterback who doesn’t have the speed of RGIII or the athleticism of Colin Kaepernick, but just might be this draft’s Joe Flacco. Finally, in advance of the Masters, the issue excerpts Michael Bamberger’s upcoming book, Men in Green, which features Arnold Palmer speaking on his career, his peers and what he thinks happened to Tiger Woods.

Below is the link to the high res cover

https://app.box.com/files/0/f/3364622160/April_6_Covers

Lee Jenkins: All the Rage

Russell Westbrook knows only one way to play: full force, every time. No one plays harder than Westbrook, and there is a method to his madness. Now, channeling that passion, Westbrook is taking the injury-plagued Thunder by the nape of their neck and carrying them to the playoffs, all while forcing his way into the MVP discussion and racking up statistics not seen since Oscar Robertson owned the court. Though Westbrook doesn’t like to be perceived as angry or out of control, his inextinguishable passion ability to play through a broken cheekbone – while sporting a superhero facemask – have kept the Thunder afloat amidst Kevin Durant’s absence and has them battling for a spot amongst the West’s best.

“I’ve seen others with the same size and physicality, but they don’t have his determination.” – Oscar Robertson on Westbrook

“We’re talking about a guy with the athleticism of LeBron and the drive of Kobe, That’s intimidating enough combination, and then you put that mask on him, he’s something out of a movie.” – An opposing head coach’s take on Westbrook

Greg Bishop: Man of the Moment

Garrett Grayson is unlike any quarterback in this class. For the past two years Grayson has slid under the radar of some of the NFL’s top scouts. Now? Now the Mountain West offensive player of the year is turnig heads, but not for what he is doing, rather for what he isn’t doing. In a position defined by by a pair of potential No. 1 selections Grayson’s distinction is what he doesn’t bring to the table … the spread offense. He may be the antispread prosepect: shifting protections, reading defenses and utitlizing snap counts. As the questions surrounding the spread in the pro’s continue, Grayson just might be the right guy at the right time. Overlooked in high school, underappreciated early on at Colorado State, injured and afflicted with depression, Grayson may now wind up as the third overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

“Everyone who could doubt this kid has doubted him, Now he might be the third quarterback picked in the NFL draft. He worked for it. He learned that nothing is free.” – Nate Becksted, Grayson’s high school coach

Michael Bamberger: Arnie Unfiltered

On the 60^th anniversary of his first appearance at the Masters, Arnold Palmer candidly refelcts in a new book on his early career, reveals how his epic U.S. Open victroy hurt him and offers some sage advice to Tiger Woods. Palmer goes unfiltered, off-script and in depth as he discusses women, winning and how he went from a working-class kid from a small town in Pennsylvania to the person we now refer to as the King with stories Palmer doesn’t often tell, and ones that certainly do not appear in his autobiography.

“Winning that first U.S. Open was an obsession, the first thing you want to do is win an Open. Then, after you win it, you have to stay aggressive, stay the way you were when you won it. And it’s difficult to do.” – Palmer

THIS WEEK’S SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Tom Brady Does it Again – This Time In Comeback Fashion

NEW YORK, NY (February 4, 2015) ­– This week’s Sports Illustrated features Super Bowl Champions: The New England Patriots and QB Tom Brady with a recap by Greg Bishop. With the big game in the rearview, SI offers a look at the needs and wants of all 32 teams, plus a list of the 40 best free agents available in an NFL Off-Season Preview. Pete Thamel analyzes how Western Michigan’s coach P.J. Fleck excels in the cutthroat game of recruiting. Watch out, Billy Goat: Joe Maddon is ready to change things up. Tom Verducci profiles the new face of the Chicago Cubs.

Also in this issue, NASCAR’s Kyle Larson just might provide the fresh air that the all-American sport needs, while Alan Shipnuck dives into the brash and controversial life of professional golfer Patrick Reed. Luke Winn analyzes John Calipari’s efficient and top-ranked defense at Kentucky and Ben Reiter examines New York Rangers’ Rick Nash and his rediscovered puck luck. Shipnuck also introduces us to Toronto Raptors’ GM Masai Uriri who leads with perseverance, integrity and generosity thanks to the influence of his hero, Nelson Mandela, and SI presents Athletes to Watch in 2015, from tennis and soccer to swimming and track, they’re poised to grab our attention.

Greg Bishop: ELATED

The lead-up to the Patriots-Seahawks defied logic (and maybe science). The game itself reversed the laws of probability (and maybe play-calling). But after an instant-classic win, this can’t be questioned: the place Tom Brady and the Pats hold in history. A game full of suspense, fantastic performances and questionable calls stands as perhaps the biggest feather yet in New England’s cap.

Pete Thamel: No Grind, No Glory

A day in the life of Western Michigan’s P.J. Fleck shows what is takes to excel at the game of recruiting – mounds of caffeine, deep connections and an unmatched enthusiasm for the sport. The youngest coach in the FBS has changed WMU from an afterthought school to one that is hot on the recruiting trail and a force on the field. Orchestrating the biggest turnaround in school history, Fleck knows that to capture a recruit he needs enthusiasm, sincerity and a routine that is anything but monotonous. Although it seems to be working so far, Fleck understands that every day is a new one and new tricks are required.

Tom Verducci: This Is the…

…Year?! Savior?! Last we’ll ever hear of Billy Goats?! Whatever it is, it’s exciting. Welcome to Joe Maddon’s Chicago. Optimism as big as Maddon’s is rare for a team that has been so bad for so long, but Maddon – along with Vegas oddsmakers – has the Cubs going far this year. There are many questions swirling around them and as the season approaches, some fans believe this could be the year they win it all. Armed with a solid core of returning players and a slew of free-agent signings, the time of wishful thinking is past. To Maddon, this is the season of winning.

“After he was hired, I went to dinner with him at his restaurant in Tampa. I was blown away. He flat-out told me, ‘The reason I’m coming here is to win the World Series. There’s no sense aiming for anything lower.’”- Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman

“Maddon is so engaging, you find yourself sitting up a little more, leaning forward in your chair a little more, your mind is going a little faster and you want to make him laugh. You want to rise to his level of energy, intellect and accomplishment. I think he has that effect on players. They want to match his energy and offer him ideas.”- Marie Epstein, wife of Theo Epstein, president

Andrew Lawrence: Fresh Face in the Race

Poised to challenge racing’s reigning old guard, 22-year-old Kyle Larson is already attracting new fans to NASCAR – at a time when the sport badly needs a boost. With four DNF’s in the past, Larson has come a long way from where he was. Despite winning Rookie of the Year Honors, he knows there is a ways to go. NASCAR is in the midst of a changing of the guard and as it stands, Larson is set to lead the new crop of youngsters as they look to shake up the Sprint Cup ranks in the years to come.

Alan Shipnuck: Dream Team

Brash? Absolutely. Controversial? No doubt. Patrick Reed has been deemed the bad guy and has certainly paid for it. Putting aside past relationships, college controversies and a near-death experience involving his wife Justine, the 24-year-old golfer now looks to pair his maturation and internal drive to continue a winning resume that includes four Tour events – a feat accomplished by only an elite few. With the help of the fearless Justine, Reed battled for his Tour card the hard way and has already shown he has the game to back up his ambition.

“I don’t want to be the bad guy; I just want people to realize how passionate and how determined I am and how much love I have for the game of golf.” – Reed

“When he came out he was a little mean, he was a little too confident. He’s still confident, but now he does it in a nice way. I could learn a lot from him as a player and as a person.” – Bubba Watson

Luke Winn: The Deep Blue D

Kentucky is littered with NBA first-round talent, but the Wildcats aren’t focused on offense. Rather, coach John Calipari and the Cats have put together the best defensive team in the nation – possibly in history – en route to holding an undefeated record and a no.1 seed. As the Big Dance approaches Kentucky has mastered defensive schemes and formed a substitution method that sacrifices nothing while costing opponents everything. Their defense is oppressive, their energy is never ending, and as the season continues, we just might see history being made.

“[They are] the best defensive team I’ve seen in the last 20 years, in terms of the way they get over screens, and the physicality of the way they play, the way they block shots.”- Rick Pitino, Louisville head coach

“The only film we watch is 10 clips during the pregame meal. It’s all about effort and energy. It’s about you versus him, like, I’m not going to let him make his name off me.”- Calipari

Ben Reiter: Goals in Bulk

Rick Nash had the Rangers playing for their first Stanley Cup in 20 years, but lost his puck touch when it mattered most. Now the proven scorer, who combines small-man skills with a big-man frame, is working to put the Rangers back in the Cup discussion. Nash went scoreless in three of New York’s four playoff series and scored only three times in 25 postseason games last season. He was booed by New York fans as it seemed he may have lost his ability to score. This year, thanks to improved fitness and health he is on pace for his first 50-goal season and possibly an MVP award.

“He knew how to play in tight spots. Now, he’s 6’4” [but] playing a little man’s game, stickhandling in small areas. We watched him develop from not a very big kid into a monster.” – Mark Hunter, GM of the London Knights, Canadian Hockey League

“It’s unbelievably unique in the NHL, that combo. He is a power forward, but he’s a different type of power forward– a power forward with great skill. Usually [power forwards] will bull through you. He doesn’t. – Doug MacLean, Blue Jackets GM

Alan Shipnuck: ‘He Lifts Us All’

Like his hero, Nelson Mandela, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri leads by example, with perseverance, integrity and generosity. His approach has resulted in a team that has captured the Toronto fan base, as well as a brighter future for his fellow Africans. The Raptors have become the most beloved team in the staunchest of hockey towns and it’s not by accident; Ujiri commands respect and treats everyone in the organization with honesty. His players sing his praises as he has built chemistry like no other, while holding each player accountable for success. So far it’s working, as Ujiri’s team is playing before sellout crowds and is possibly a title contender.

“You can’t buy this kind of goodwill in the community. Masai is the perfect ambassador for what we’re trying to accomplish here. In many ways he’s become the face of the franchise.”- Ujiri’s boss, Tim Leiweke, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment

“You don’t hear thank you a lot in this business, so I always remembered that. We had exchanged emails, but I assumed I would never hear from him. I was wrong. That’s one of Masai’s strengths: He reaches out.”- NBA Trainer David Thorpe

THIS WEEK’S SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

SI Predicts Oregon Will Beat OSU & Highlights The NFL Playoffs and Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski

NEW YORK, NY (January 6, 2015) – This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated highlights the National Championship between the Buckeyes and the Ducks.  SI picks Oregon to win, but their records and the long list of similar stats suggest a close final. Joey Bosa is graced with NFL talent, but the Ohio State d-lineman must harness all that ability for the Buckeyes to upset the Ducks. This issue also showcases a preview to the NFL Playoffs. Senior writer Andy Benoit analyzes the final 8 teams and brilliantly breaks down the divisional matchups.

On the regional cover, Pete Thamel dives into the life of New England’s Rob Gronkowski, from his white party bus to his past injuries and on-field abilities. He may party hard but he works even harder. John Elway, former Broncos’ QB and current GM, has four Super Bowl blowouts and two titles on his resume. Aside from that, he’s sure he has another Lombardi Trophy coming to him – so he built a team designed to grab one right now. Seth Davis unearths the story of George Raveling, the pioneering African-American college basketball coach, who historically crossed paths with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 and walked away with one of the defining documents of the civil rights movement.

Brian Hamilton: Thriving On The Edge

If Ohio State wants to beat Oregon, sophomore defensive end Joey Bosa will need to channel his inner NFL roots, continue to refine his skills, and prove that the hype surrounding him is deserved. Described as goofy and a pain in the ass by his mother, Bosa’s 20 tackles for a loss this season is nothing to laugh at. Despite receiving his first offer from Alabama, he decided to follow his father’s footsteps to Columbus which explains why the upset over the number one seed was that much sweeter for him. But to beat Oregon, he’ll need to disrupt Marcus Mariota the same way he did Blake Sims.

“He’s quick, he’s smart, and he’s coordinated. The combination of those attributes is really impressive, because he knows how to use them and when to use them.” – Senior tackle Michael Bennett

“He has an innate gift of contact balance that you don’t find in a lot of defensive linemen. He’s got the greatest core strength of anybody I’ve seen at a young age. He can do unbelievable things because he’s under control.” –Luke Fickel, Ohio State defensive coordinator

Pete Thamel: Gronk Worker’s Party

Fueled partly by work ethic and partly by genetics, Rob Gronkowski has regained his MVP form after six surgeries cost him 17 games over the 2012 & 2013 seasons. Yes, he is fiesta, but after losing two seasons, he’s a more mature – and extremely dedicated – frat-house hero. Gronk has always worked harder than he partied, something his friends insist got lost as his public persona evolved. Hop on, New England: Rob is driving the Patriots’ bus.

“He’s one of the hardest-working guys that I’ve ever been around.” – Bill O’Brien, former Patriots offensive coordinator

“Medically speaking, we expected him to be playing and effective. But as far as being an MVP candidate, that’s unheard of.” – Ryan Donahue, physical therapist

“Don’t get lost in his awkward silliness. It’s not immaturity. He’s a great competitor.” – former Arizona coach Mike Stoops

S.L. Price: Elway – The Tao Of Woody

After losing 43-8 in last year’s Super Bowl, the only thing on John Elway’s mind was how to get better. Now, he has assembled a team that he believes has another Super Bowl in sight. Worth in sports is decided by winning and Elway’s two victories help prove that notion and change the narrative about him. Now for Elway, the business of football has shifted from playing to creating. There is no denying that the window is closing on his time, which is why he has made his team suited for winning now.

“My viewpoint is different from everybody else’s. I’ve always fought to stay off the pedestal. I’ve got to make [everyone else] feel like I’m one of them. When they know their opinion is important, you’re going to get the best out of those people.”- Elway

“It’s part of him being an ex-player: his aggressiveness and will to win. He’s about winning now. He’s not building a team for five years from now.” – Terrance Knighton, Broncos’ defensive tackle

Seth Davis: The Coach And The Preacher

George Raveling needs three storage units for all the things he has collected, but one item means more to him than all the others: the three papers that lay on the podium while Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his memorable speech. A former basketball star at Villanova, Raveling was a pioneering college coach at predominately white universities. After being coerced to attend the march in Washington D.C., Raveling asked to work security. With only a handful of people between him and MLK Jr., he asked for the speech when it was all over.  He never knew it would become such a historic document, and now refuses to sell it despite its undeniable worth.

“I never heard anybody who had the command and gifts of public speaking that he did. He carried himself as you would envision a leader would do…I was in total awe; I just froze and was totally locked in on what he was saying.” – Raveling

“At no time do I remember thinking, Wow, we got this historic document.”- Raveling