CONTENTS

16 Violence
The place was Detroit. The victim was figure skater Nancy Kerrigan
by E.M. Swift

22 NFL Playoffs

The Raiders whipped Denver 42-24 in an AFC wild-card game
by Peter King

In the other AFC game, three ageless Chief stars led K.C. past Pittsburgh
by Douglas S. Looney

Green Bay was better armed in an NFC wild-card victory over Detroit
by Rick Telander

The Vikings fell to the Giants and the dreaded Meadowlands winds
by Paul Zimmerman

32 A Lot of Hot Air?
As MJ takes BP, we mull over the baseball potential of a man of all sports
by Steve Rushin

36 Golden Boy, Golden Bear
Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus showed their mettle in the Mercedes
by Jaime Diaz

40 On and On and On and...
This SI Classic reveals what made Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, an immortal
by E.M. Swift

52 The Unknown Player
Of all the stars in the NBA, none is a bigger mystery than Patrick Ewing
by Rick Reilly

DEPARTMENTS

9 Faces in the Crowd
10 Letters
12 Scorecard
60 Sports People
66 College Basketball
71 Pro Basketball
74 Point After

Cover Photograph by Manny Millan

PHOTO

RICHARD MACKSON

An Unflagging Ump: Though this was clearly holding, no one heaved a hankie at official Al Conway as he tried to pull Raider Mike Jones away from a scuffle in L.A.'s win over the Broncos (page 22).