The Fortunate 50
Plus
• THE BEST-COMPENSATED WOMEN
• THE MOST CHARITABLE SPORTSMEN
• FUTURE ZILLIONAIRES
• THE RICHEST FOREIGN JOCKS
Sources: salaries, winnings and bonus figures from players' associations, tour records, agents and news reports.
Endorsement estimates from Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing, IEG, other sports-marketing executives and analysts, and agents. Salaries based on current or most recently completed seasons (exception: 2005 for NFL). For winnings-based sports (auto racing, boxing, cycling, golf, tennis), 2004 calendar year amounts used.
AND THE RICH GET EVEN RICHER. IN COMPILING OUR RANKINGS for 2005, we saw that even a subpar year doesn't stop people from throwing money at Tiger Woods, who will rake in $10 million more in endorsements this year than he did in '04. The top 10 had three newcomers, led by quarterback Michael Vick at No. 5. Golf fans' favorite lefthander shot up 27 places, and tennis's Serena Williams was the only woman to crack the rankings. Candidates had to be active athletes who are U.S. citizens. Again we limited income to salary or winnings, bonuses, endorsement contracts and appearance fees.
1 TIGER WOODS
Salary/Winnings: $6,370,407
Endorsements: $80,000,000
TOTAL: $86,370,407
The asking price of the world's top-rated golfer just keeps rising: He signed a new endorsement contract in 2004 with Buick.
LAST YEAR: 1
2 ANDRE AGASSI
Salary/Winnings: $1,177,254
Endorsements: $44,500,000
TOTAL: $45,677,254
Jumped five places after receiving a $20 million balloon payment from Nike in January as part of his endorsement contract.
LAST YEAR: 7
3 SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
Salary/Winnings: $27,696,429
Endorsements: $14,000,000
TOTAL: $41,696,429
In '05--06 the Heat center's salary will be more than $10 million higher than those of the NBA's next highest-paid players.
LAST YEAR: 2
4 OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Salary/Winnings: $38,000,000
Endorsements: $2,000,000
TOTAL: $40,000,000
The boxer's golden touch apparently doesn't extend to reality TV: His show, The Next Great Champ, lasted four episodes on Fox.
LAST YEAR: 6
5 MICHAEL VICK
Salary/Winnings: $30,100,000
Endorsements: $7,000,000
TOTAL: $37,100,000
Nice work if you can get it: $30 million of the Falcons quarterback's signing bonus is paid off; he gets another $7 million in '06.
LAST YEAR: NR
6 KEVIN GARNETT
Salary/Winnings: $23,000,000
Endorsements: $7,000,000
TOTAL: $30,000,000
KG took a pay cut so the Timberwolves could recruit more talent. His reward? Team headaches Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell.
LAST YEAR: 5
7 PEYTON MANNING
Salary/Winnings: $19,165,000
Endorsements: $10,500,000
TOTAL: $29,665,000
The Colts quarterback--and the NFL's top endorser--received $18.5 million in March owed from his $34.5 million signing bonus.
LAST YEAR: 4
8 LEBRON JAMES
Salary/Winnings: $4,320,360
Endorsements: $24,000,000
TOTAL: $28,320,360
In only his second year in the NBA, King James, the Cavaliers' virtuoso forward, has become the league's top endorser.
LAST YEAR: 3
9 PHIL MICKELSON
Salary/Winnings: $6,384,823
Endorsements: $21,000,000
TOTAL: $27,384,823
Lefty, who won his first major in '04, signed with Callaway for close to $10 million a year, doubling his old contract with Titleist.
LAST YEAR: 36
10 DALE EARNHARDT JR.
Salary/Winnings: $7,201,380
Endorsements: $20,000,000
TOTAL: $27,201,380
Is there any question who NASCAR's biggest star is? Watch the TV broadcasts and try to find an advertisement that Junior is not in.
LAST YEAR: 13
11 ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Salary/Winnings: $20,076,000
Endorsements: $6,000,000
TOTAL: $26,076,000
Look closely at the Yankees superstar's Speed Stick ad on TV. The stadium lights spell E5. Is someone at Mennen a Red Sox fan?
LAST YEAR: 16
12 DEREK JETER
Salary/Winnings: $19,650,000
Endorsements: $6,000,000
TOTAL: $25,650,160
Less bang for the buck? The Yankees captain's best season, statistically, was 1999--when he made a paltry $5 million.
LAST YEAR: 9
13 TOM BRADY
Salary/Winnings: $15,506,160
Endorsements: $9,000,000
TOTAL: $24,506,160
The New England Patriots quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champ received his entire $14.5 million signing bonus up front.
LAST YEAR: NR
14 MANNY RAMIREZ
Salary/Winnings: $23,200,000
Endorsements: $1,000,000
TOTAL: $24,200,000
Because A-Rod defers portions of his pay, Boston's star outfielder has been the highest-salaried major leaguer the past two years.
LAST YEAR: 12
15 KOBE BRYANT
Salary/Winnings: $14,175,000
Endorsements: $9,000,000
TOTAL: $23,175,000
Thanks, but we're going in a different direction: Given Kobe's legal woes, McDonald's and Nutella dropped him as an endorser.
LAST YEAR: 8
16 TRACY MCGRADY
Salary/Winnings: $14,487,000
Endorsements: $8,000,000
TOTAL: $22,487,000
He's No. 2: T-Mac's Rockets jersey is second in sales only to Shaq's ample Heat top and more popular than LeBron's Cavs jersey.
LAST YEAR: 15
17 SERENA WILLIAMS
Salary/Winnings: $2,251,798
Endorsements: $20,000,000
TOTAL: $22,251,798
Last year's top-endorsing female athlete was overtaken by another tennis player, a certain blonde teenager from Russia.
LAST YEAR: 23
18 ALLEN IVERSON
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $7,000,000
TOTAL: $21,625,000
The Philadelphia 76ers guard has a so-called lifetime contract with Reebok that pays him at least $5 million a year.
LAST YEAR: 17
19 JEFF GORDON
Salary/Winnings: $6,437,660
Endorsements: $15,000,000
TOTAL: $21,437,660
The NASCAR star is No. 29 on Fortune magazine's "40 Richest People under 40" list, with a net worth of $155 million.
LAST YEAR: 21
20 ROGER CLEMENS
Salary/Winnings: $18,000,002
Endorsements: $3,000,000
TOTAL: $21,000,002
Is the Rocket hoping for a return to pinstripes? It wouldn't hurt him in the wallet. He gets an extra $3 million if he's traded.
LAST YEAR: NR
21 VINCE CARTER
Salary/Winnings: $12,584,688
Endorsements: $8,000,000
TOTAL: $20,584,688
New riches in New Jersey? Not yet; as a Net, the erstwhile Air Canada has yet to be offered any fresh major endorsements.
LAST YEAR: 11
22 MIKE MUSSINA
Salary/Winnings: $19,000,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $19,500,000
Moose's homes away from Yankee Stadium include spreads in suburban New York City, Tampa and near his native Montoursville, Pa.
LAST YEAR: T30
TIE
23 BARRY BONDS
Salary/Winnings: $15,000,000
Endorsements: $4,000,000
TOTAL: $19,000,000
After the seven-time National League MVP, the next-highest-paid San Francisco Giant is pitcher Jason Schmidt, at $8.75 million.
LAST YEAR: 19
TIE
23 MIKE PIAZZA
Salary/Winnings: $15,000,000
Endorsements: $4,000,000
TOTAL: $19,000,000
The New York Mets catcher lives in a penthouse apartment in the same Manhattan building as The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.
LAST YEAR: 14
25 CHRIS WEBBER
Salary/Winnings: $17,531,250
Endorsements: $1,000,000
TOTAL: $18,531,250
C-Webb's hefty contract was his ticket from Sacramento to Philadelphia; the Sixer will make more than $19 million next season.
LAST YEAR: 27
26
ALLAN HOUSTON
Salary/Winnings: $17,531,250
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $18,031,250
This past season the Knicks' injury-plagued sharpshooter played less but earned more than ever: $33,000 per minute.
LAST YEAR: 32
27 RANDY JOHNSON
Salary/Winnings: $16,000,000
Endorsements: $2,000,000
TOTAL: $18,000,000
The Big Unit's $32 million contract extension with the Yankees expires in 2007, when the five-time Cy Young winner will turn 44.
LAST YEAR: NR
28 LANCE ARMSTRONG
Salary/Winnings: $497,500
Endorsements: $17,500,000
TOTAL: $17,997,500
Team spirit: The Texan cyclist always passes his Tour de France (and Tour de Georgia) winnings on to his domestiques.
LAST YEAR: 26
29 JASON KIDD
Salary/Winnings: $14,796,000
Endorsements: $3,000,000
TOTAL: $17,796,000
Spoiled rotten? The New Jersey Nets point guard bought his children two-story luxury playhouses for a total of $14,000.
LAST YEAR: 34
30 TIM DUNCAN
Salary/Winnings: $14,260,640
Endorsements: $3,500,000
TOTAL: $17,760,640
The three-time champion Spurs have their big three (Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker) signed through 2010.
LAST YEAR: 33
31 CARLOS BELTRAN
Salary/Winnings: $17,000,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $17,500,000
The Mets lured their new centerfielder from the Astros with an $11 million signing bonus, $4 million of which is yet to be paid.
LAST YEAR: NR
32 TIM HUDSON
Salary/Winnings: $16,750,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $17,250,000
The Braves locked up their four-pitch wonder with a $10 million signing bonus on top of his $6.75 million salary.
LAST YEAR: NR
33 ANTOINE WALKER
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $2,000,000
TOTAL: $16,625,000
The Celtics forward could be on his way out of Boston again and will command nowhere near his previous $71 million contract.
LAST YEAR: T38
TIE
34 BRETT FAVRE
Salary/Winnings: $9,500,000
Endorsements: $7,000,000
TOTAL: $16,500,000
The longtime Green Bay quarterback's endorsement portfolio includes deals with Nike, Starter, Ford and MasterCard.
LAST YEAR: NR
TIE
34 CURT SCHILLING
Salary/Winnings: $14,500,000
Endorsements: $2,000,000
TOTAL: $16,500,000
The Red Sox were contractually obligated to bump up the pitcher's '05 salary by $2 million if they won the World Series.
LAST YEAR: NR
36 GRANT HILL
Salary/Winnings: $14,487,000
Endorsements: $2,000,000
TOTAL: $16,487,000
Endorsement contracts from the Orlando magician's heyday, such as his $80 million deal with Fila, are finally lapsing.
LAST YEAR: 10
37 KEVIN BROWN
Salary/Winnings: $15,714,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $16,214,000
Baseball's first $100 million man, now pitching for the Yankees, is in the final year of the seven-year deal he signed with the Dodgers.
LAST YEAR: T38
38 STEPHON MARBURY
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $1,500,000
TOTAL: $16,125,000
Since signing a four-year extension for at least $76 million with the Suns in '03, the Knicks point guard has been in four playoff games.
LAST YEAR: 42
39 JASON GIAMBI
Salary/Winnings: $15,500,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $16,000,000
While Barry Bonds has kept most of his endorsements, the Yankees slugger, also under steroids suspicion, has lost most of his.
LAST YEAR: 24
TIE
40 RAY ALLEN
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $1,000,000
TOTAL: $15,625,000
Is this SuperSonic worth a max contract? He averaged 24 points in '04--05, second highest output of his career, but turns 30 in July.
LAST YEAR: T44
TIE
40 ANFERNEE HARDAWAY
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $1,000,000
TOTAL: $15,625,000
Not-so-Li'l Penny: The Knicks can't wait to get his burdensome seven-year, $87 million contract off their books after next season.
LAST YEAR: 22
42 BERNARD HOPKINS
Salary/Winnings: $15,000,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,500,000
Thanks, Golden Boy: Hopkins got the biggest paycheck of his career through two fights promoted by Oscar De La Hoya.
LAST YEAR: NR
43 DAMON STOUDAMIRE
Salary/Winnings: $14,900,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,400,000
His seven-year, $81 million deal at an end, this Trail Blazer and Portland native could be on his way out of the Rose City.
LAST YEAR: 43
44 JERMAINE O'NEAL
Salary/Winnings: $14,782,500
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,282,500
The All-Star Indiana center's fleet includes a BMW, a Land Rover, a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari and a $350,000 Lamborghini.
LAST YEAR: NR
TIE
45 SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,125,000
With Abdur-Rahim's and Damon Stoudamire's huge contracts finally off the books, the Portland Trail Blazers will rebuild.
LAST YEAR: T47
TIE
45 LATRELL SPREWELL
Salary/Winnings: $14,625,000
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,125,000
After an abysmal season (in a contract year, no less), this Timberwolf might actually have to worry about feeding his family.
LAST YEAR: T47
47 MICHAEL FINLEY
Salary/Winnings: $14,609,375
Endorsements: $500,000
TOTAL: $15,109,375
The highest-paid Dallas Maverick averaged 15.7 points per game in '04--05--his fewest since '96--97, his sophomore season.
LAST YEAR: 50
48 JALEN ROSE
Salary/Winnings: $14,487,000
Endorsements: $250,000
TOTAL: $14,737,000
The Raptors became the third team to take on the seven-year, $93 million deal this swingman signed in 2000 with Indiana.
LAST YEAR: NR
49 KEITH VAN HORN
Salary/Winnings: $14,487,000
Endorsements: $150,000
TOTAL: $14,637,000
The much-traveled forward will likely exercise his option to return to the Dallas Mavericks next season for $15.7 million.
LAST YEAR: NR
50 ORLANDO PACE
Salary/Winnings: $14,000,000
Endorsements: $200,000
TOTAL: $14,200,000
The All-Pro offensive lineman's new seven-year, $52.9 million deal with the St. Louis Rams gives him a lot of money up front.
LAST YEAR: NR
GENDER GAP
A woman has far fewer opportunities to get rich in sports than a man does, unless she's handy with a tennis racket. On SI's list of the world's 10 best-compensated female athletes, seven--led by Maria Sharapova (left)--play on the Women's Tennis Association tour.
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RANK | ATHLETE | TEAM/SPORT | COUNTRY | TOTAL INCOME |
1 | MICHAEL SCHUMACHER | Auto Racing | Germany | $81,000,000 |
Formula One king gets $28 million base salary from Ferrari, the rest from endorsements |   |   |   |   |
2 | DAVID BECKHAM | Real Madrid | Great Britain | $30,000,000 |
English soccer prince has endorsement deals with, among others, Gillette, Adidas and Vodafone |   |   |   |   |
3 | VALENTINO ROSSI | Motorcycle Racing | Italy | $24,500,000 |
Dominant performer in niche sport has won world championships last four years in a row |   |   |   |   |
4 | RONALDO DE LIMA | Real Madrid | Brazil | $24,000,000 |
Earns same $8 million salary as Beckham but outscored him 21--4 in league play in '04--05 |   |   |   |   |
5 | MARIA SHARAPOVA | Tennis | Russia | $23,006,263 |
Top-earning female athlete makes $20 million a year from the likes of Canon and Motorola |   |   |   |   |
6 | VIJAY SINGH | Golf | Fiji | $22,038,699 |
In 2004 he earned more than $11 million in prize money, twice as much as that Woods kid |   |   |   |   |
7 | ERNIE ELS | Golf | South Africa | $21,868,386 |
He's investing in a $900 million golf community in the Bahamas and also designing the course |   |   |   |   |
8 | ICHIRO SUZUKI | Seattle Mariners | Japan | $20,500,000 |
His $10 million a year in endorsements, including Pepsi and Nikko Cordial, are mostly in Japan |   |   |   |   |
9 | YAO MING | Houston Rockets | China | $19,436,880 |
Companies don't pay him $15 million a year just for his words in TV spots: "Yao" and "No" |   |   |   |   |
10 | DIKEMBE MUTOMBO | Houston Rockets | Congo | $19,021,511 |
Made $4.5 million in salary, but Nets had to pay him $14.3 million as part of '03 buyout |   |   |   |   |
11 | SAMMY SOSA | Baltimore Orioles | Dominican Republic | $19,000,000 |
Orioles are paying only $8.85 million of the slugger's salary this year; Cubs pay the rest |   |   |   |   |
12 | ADRIAN BELTRE | Seattle Mariners | Dominican Republic | $17,250,000 |
Five-year, $64 million deal (including $10 million bonus) makes him highest-paid Mariner ever |   |   |   |   |
13 | ZINEDINE ZIDANE | Real Madrid | France | $16,000,000 |
At 33, World Cup '98 hero is on the downside of his career but makes as much as Ronaldo |   |   |   |   |
14 | ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS | Cleveland Cavaliers | Lithuania | $14,875,000 |
Big Z just played the last year of his $71 million deal; unlikely, at 30, to get such money again |   |   |   |   |
15 | CHRISTIAN VIERI | Inter Milan | Italy | $14,700,000 |
Italian soccer's Michael Jordan has changed jerseys often: Inter is his fifth Serie A team |   |   |   |   |
16 | CHAN HO PARK | Texas Rangers | South Korea | $14,250,000 |
Rangers fans still wonder why owner Tom Hicks gave him a five-year, $65 million deal |   |   |   |   |
17 | PEDRO MARTíNEZ | New York Mets | Dominican Republic | $14,000,000 |
Has spent hundreds of thousands improving his poverty-stricken hometown, Manoguayabo |   |   |   |   |
18 | DIRK NOWITZKI | Dallas Mavericks | Germany | $13,584,688 |
No. 2 German on list is sandwiched by Schumachers: Michael's brother, Ralf, earns $12 million |   |   |   |   |
19 | HIDEKI MATSUI | New York Yankees | Japan | $13,000,000 |
Godzilla's $5 million endorsement portfolio includes Mizuno, Upper Deck and Japan Airlines |   |   |   |   |
20 | LARRY WALKER | St. Louis Cardinals | Canada | $12,916,667 |
Looking for a new address soon, eh? Cards may not exercise $15 million club option in '06 |   |   |   |   |
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Sources: salaries, winnings and bonus figures from players' associations, tour records, agents and news reports.
Endorsement estimates from Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing, IEG, other sports-marketing executives and analysts, and agents. Salaries based on current or most recently completed seasons (exception: 2005 forNFL). For winnings-based sports (auto racing, boxing, cycling, golf, tennis), 2004 calendar year amounts used.
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BORDER ILLUSTRATION BY KEVIN SPROULS
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AL TIELEMANS
TIGER WOODS
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SIMON BRUTY
SERENA WILLIAMS
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JEFF ZELEVANSKY/ICON SMI;
MIKE PIAZZA
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JOHN BIEVER
BRETT FAVRE
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BILL FRAKES
JERMAINE O'NEAL
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HEINZ KLUETMEIER (GENDER GAP)
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BOB MARTIN (GIVING BACK)
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ROBERT BECK
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ETHAN MILLER/REUTERS,
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BILL FRAKES,
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TOM BRIGLIA/WIREIMAGE.COM
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RONEN ZILBERMAN/AP
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BILL FRAKES,
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MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS
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MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II/1DEUCE3,
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ROBERT BECK
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NIGEL KINRADE
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CHUCK SOLOMON
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WALTER IOOSS JR.
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MATT CAMPBELL/EPA
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
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WALTER IOOSS JR.
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DAVID CALLOW
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DAVID BERGMAN
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JASON BABYAK/AP
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TIM JOHNSON/REUTERS
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
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TOM DIPACE
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ROBERT BECK
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JEFF ZELEVANSKY/ICON SMI
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GEORGE WIDMAN/AP,
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SLAVEN VLASIC/ABACA
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SIMON BRUTY (IT WON'T BE LONG)
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ACTION IMAGES/WIREIMAGE.COM (OFFSHORE BANKING)
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CHUCK SOLOMON,
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SIMON BRUTY
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH,
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DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES,
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JOE MCNALLY
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PRESTON MACK,
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PAUL CONNORS/AP,
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NFL/WIREIMAGE.COM
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JED JACOBSOHN/GETTY IMAGES
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PRESTON MACK
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CHUCK SOLOMON,
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JASON SZENES/EPA
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CHUCK SOLOMON
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GREG NELSON
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NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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ETHAN MILLER/REUTERS
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ROB HOLT/ICON SMI,
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DARRON CUMMINGS/AP,
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ROB HOLT/ICON SMI,
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PETER FOLEY/EPA
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MICHAEL PIMENTEL/ICON SMI
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ANTOINE CAU/ABACA
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MARK GOLDMAN/ICON SMI
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ST. LOUIS RAMS/UPI