CONTENTS

20 What's New? New York, New York
For the first time ever, both the Jets and the Giants won berths in pro football's playoffs in the same season
by Paul Zimmerman

26 From the Big House to the Big Time
Dwight Braxton's redemption continued as he won the WBC light heavyweight title from Matthew Saad Muhammad
by Pat Putnam

28 She Won, But Is She No. 1?
Tracy Austin was indeed driven as she won the Toyota Championships to stake her claim for the top spot in women's tennis
by Frank Deford

34 Sportsman of the Year
Sugar Ray Leonard became the hit of 1981 by winning the junior middleweight and welterweight championships
by Frank Deford

42 Ride 'Em!
The real rodeo lives, and Walt Spitzmiller has captured its essence in a portfolio of paintings, with text
by E.M. Swift

50 The Odyssey of Little Homer
In an epic season, Homer Jordan of Clemson has led the Tigers to the top of the polls and a date in the Orange Bowl
by John Papanek

68 Frozen for the Ages
Each winter the Michigan lake beckons with its promise of fish below and frolic above, prevailing against the inventions of man
by Ron Rau

82 Birds Thou Never Wert
Three avid bird watchers construct the ultimate birds, one just this side of paradise and the other straight from the junkyard
by George Plimpton

The Departments

Scorecard 15
College Basketball 60
Pro Football 80
For the Record 101
19th Hole 102

Credits on page 101

Cover photograph by Manny Millan