50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2016 Edition

SI Staff | Jun 13, 2016

50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2016 Edition /

50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2016 Edition

Fifty years ago—in 1966—Neil Leifer's assignments for Sports Illustrated and Life magazine included such events as the NFL Championship game, the World Series, the U.S. Open golf tournament and Muhammad Ali vs. Cleveland Williams, among others. Here are some of his best shots from that year, starting with Dave Robinson tackling quarterback Frank Ryan during Green Bay's 23-12 win over the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship game.

Muhammad Ali celebrates after knocking out Cleveland Williams in a heavyweight title bout at the Astrodome.

Frank Sinatra sits with his actress wife, Mia Farrow, and Chicago Cubs manager Leo Durocher during Game 1 of the 1966 World Series at Dodger Stadium between L.A. and the Baltimore Orioles.

Notre Dame linebacker Jim Lynch lands headfirst after getting tackled by a Michigan State player during a game at Spartan Stadium.

Quarterback Joe Namath on the phone during a game versus the Denver Broncos. The Jet won 16-7 to improve to 3-0 in Namath's second season, but would finish the year at 6-6-2.

Wilt Chamberlain underhands a foul shot during a game against the New York Knicks at Convention Hall.

An aerial fisheye view of Pauley Pavilion as Lew Alcindor handles the tip off against Allan Hancock College.

In Jim Brown's last game in the NFL, he was held in check by Lee Roy Caffey (60) and the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship game. Brown didn't score in the 23-12 loss, finishing with 50 yards rushing and 44 receiving.

Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the 1966 World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Lew Alcindor at a portrait shoot with SI during his freshman year at UCLA. NCAA rules restricted him to playing for the Bruins freshman team in 1966.

Arnold Palmer hits a shot during the final round of the 1966 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club. Billy Casper made up a seven-stroke deficit on Palmer over the final nine holes and then defeated Palmer in an 18-hole playoff to win the tournament.

Willie Davis, Paul Hornung and Lionel Aldridge on the bench during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium.

Sandy Koufax on the mound during the last of his 12 seasons in the majors.

Muhammad Ali dodges a punch from George Chuvalo during their world heavyweight title bout at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.

Gary Wright of the Tennessee Volunteers in agony after missing a game-winning field goal in the final minutes versus the Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium.

Offensive lineman Jerry Kramer on the Lambeau Field sideline during the 1965 NFL Championship against the Cleveland Browns. The Packers won the title that season and Super Bowl titles the following two years.

Vince Lombardi lifts a celebratory fist following a muddy victory against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium.

Jim Taylor rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the 1965 NFL Championship game at Lambeau Field. Taylor had 76 yards rushing and 20 receiving but didn't score a touchdown.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Frank Ryan scrambles during the muddy 1965 NFL Championship, held Jan. 2, 1966, at Lambeau Field.

An aerial shot of the Astrodome during a game between the Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Roberto Clemente swings during a game at the Astrodome during his lone NL MVP-winning season.

Notre Dame’s Rocky Bleier escapes a Michigan State tackler during a game in East Lansing, Mich.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Lee Roy Caffey tackles Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas at Memorial Stadium.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr in action against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium.

The Houston Astros grounds crew in space suits as they drag the infield during a game against the New York Mets.

Johnny Roland of the St. Louis Cardinals attempts to catch the ball during a 31-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, who enjoyed the first winning season in their six years since inception.

Arnold Palmer observes one of his shots during the 1966 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club.

Frank Robinson takes a swing at Dodger Stadium during the 1966 World Series. Robinson was named MVP after the Orioles swept L.A.

A multiple exposure portrait of Baltimore Orioles manager Hank Bauer, Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson taken in July 1966.

Stan Mikita winds up for a slap shot during a game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

A multiple exposure shot of Muhammad Ali as he exhibits the classic Ali Double-Clutch during a photo shoot at Life Studios.

Neil Leifer with Muhammad Ali after the champ demonstrated the Ali Double-Clutch Shuffle.

Published Jun 13, 2016

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