Table of Contents

PRO FOOTBALL

16 A PROBLEM OVERDOSE
Drug troubles and rival leagues are NFL headaches as the 1983 season kicks off

24 THE CORNER
When offense and defense collide on the sweep, look out. A photographic essay

38 'LET ME SAY SOMETHING'
John Madden's way with words has made him one of America's best-known figures

58 SCOUTING REPORTS
Paul Zimmerman analyzes all 28 teams and predicts the finish in each division

88 A NEW BREED OF SPEED
Impact players are those little burners who get big yards running and catching

98 'I WANT THE BALL'
So said John Riggins to the Redskins in the '82 playoffs. The result: an NFL title

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

124 TRACKING THE BEAR
Eddie Robinson of Grambling is closing in on Bear Bryant's career victory record

132 OVER THE TOP
More and more runners these days are taking to the airways. A picture portfolio

141 SCOUTING REPORTS
Full-page previews of all the Top 20 teams as well as rundowns on the major conferences and independents and on the leaders in Divisions l-AA, II and III

192 THE TWELFTH MAN
After standing ready for 63 years, at last he will take the field for Texas A&M

202 STEP RIGHT UP
At times college football's main event is upstaged by side acts. A photo essay

212 ANATOMY OF A MIRACLE
With five—count 'em, five—laterals, Cal pulled off the wildest kickoff return ever

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY LANE STEWART

CREDITS ON PAGE 227

PHOTO