Two months ago in Houston, Tom Brady’s jersey was stolen from the Patriots’ postgame locker room. The investigation spanned thousands of miles, involved two nations and unfolded against the backdrop of a tense geopolitical drama. And the culprit might never spend a night in jail

When Randy Lanier sped to rookie of the year honors at the 1986 Indianpolis 500, few knew his racing credentials, let alone his status as one of the nation's most prolific drug runners, smuggling in tons of marijuana when he wasn't on the track

Fifteen months ago Joseph Randle was the Dallas Cowboys tearing up the NFL. Then came a possible concussion, an array of off-field misdeeds and massive confusion about it all

With the 428th pick in the 1974 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected. . . one of the most violent killers in U.S. history. No one is saying football led Randall Woodfield down his dark path—but did it perhaps deter him from it, at least for a while?

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?

. . . That, at least, was the narrative being pushed in the immediate aftermath of Will Smith’s shooting death six months ago: an NFL superstar fallen victim to a villainous face of lawless New Orleans. The truth is far more complex.

If anyone can understand how Aaron Hernandez went from NFL stardom to life in prison for murder, it’s his older brother, D.J., whose perspective cost him a way of living

A decade ago he smoked his way into becoming an NFL punch line; now 20 NFL teams play in states where some form of marijuana is legal—and that number will grow. A pothead reputation, Williams has found, is not such a bad thing

In an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes Sports and Sports Illustrated, Marshawn Lynch discusses retirement, life after NFL.

We’ve been there for all the big games. Relive the most memorable moments with SI as we take you back in time with our greatest photos from every Super Bowl.

After flirting with history, the ’85 Chicago Bears tempted fate with a memorable music video

Long before the Kick Six, Alabama’s Van Tiffin capped an Iron Bowl that remains unforgettable

The strange finale of the fun, upstart league on a rainy night in the Meadowlands

For Dan Marino, Super Bowl XIX was supposed to be just the beginning. 'Next time' would never come

The Greatest Position in Sport

Seven years ago undersung Appalachian State brought down the Big House—and rocked college football—with a season-opening upset of Michigan. Now, with the teams poised to meet again, some Mountaineers share their memories of the momentous moment

One ill-fated 1982 phone call jump-started the NFL's longest run of ineptitude. The bizarre and calamitous story of Booker Reese only got worse from there

How a drum major known as Tommy the Toe begat the best (Bono, Jacko, Jagger) and worst (Up With People!) segment of every Super Bowl Sunday

He prayed. He won. And then he disappeared. Will we ever see Tim Tebow in the NFL again?

Defying Ditka—and all logic—Jim McMahon delivered one of the most memorable and gutsiest performances of his career on a Thursday night in September 1985.