Lineup

2 | SI Digital

4 | Leading Off

12 | The Mail

14 | Scorecard

21 | Faces in The Crowd

22 | Just My Type

Dan Patrick: A.J. Hawk—what goes on inside his helmet

64 | Point After

Steve Rushin: Bringing attention to brain injuries—finally

32 | PRO BASKETBALL

Kobe Bryant

How the NBA's baddest man found the strength to get through a devastating Achilles injury

By Lee Jenkins

40 | PRO FOOTBALL

Tyrann Mathieu

What do we know for sure about the Cardinals' safety and Rookie of the Year contender? This Badger can ball out

By Jim Trotter

46 | WORDS WITH ...

Pedro Martinez

The future Hall of Famer still colorfully changes speeds and brings piercing heat in his new TV role

By Tom Verducci

54 | LONGFORM

Bison Dele

In 2002 the player once known as Brian Williams set sail from Tahiti. It was a beginning—and the end

By Chris Ballard

ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPH BY WALTER IOOSS JR. FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

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JED JACOBSOHN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (MATHIEU)

SAN FRAN SLAM Mathieu's aggressiveness earns him praise but also penalties, as with this takedown of Kendall Hunter.

PHOTO

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BRYANT)

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POUYA DIANAT FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (MARTINEZ)

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EZRA O. SHAW /GETTY IMAGES (DELE)