December 15, 2014 Table Of Contents
EDITOR'S LETTER
INBOX
Sportsman of the Year
How does a man who'd rather be roping cattle than standing in the spotlight build the most brilliant World Series pitching résumé in history? A lethal fastball helps, and the Giants' ace finds inner strength by never straying too far from home
By Tom Verducci
For the Patriots' QB, humming at 37, there's not much difference between 28 (the age at which he was named SI's Sportsman of the Year) and 45 (when he plans to still be picking apart NFL defenses). In fact, given the way Brady prepares, older might be better
By Greg Bishop
By Sarah Kwak
We are still a long way from a cure for ALS—or even finding what causes the brutal disease. But this year a group of patients and athletes brought us a little closer with the Ice Bucket Challenge
By Emily Kaplan
Earvin Johnson has tirelessly invested in African-American communities and advocated for those affected by HIV/AIDS—and, despite his own diagnosis, the smile has never left his face
The Giants have won three titles in five seasons, the most dominant run since the Yankees of the late '90s. That steadiness and excellence starts in the manager's office
Divisive issues immediately confronted Adam Silver; out of them he forged a long-lost unity
By Lee Jenkins
By Ben Reiter
The meeting between perennial power Kentucky and top-seeded Wichita State in the round of 32 was unfortunate—but the battle that resulted was unforgettable
By Luke Winn
She became a cultural phenomenon at the Little League World Series, but the Mo'ne Davis story didn't end when summer did. It lives on in the spirits of the young people—boys and girls—whom she's inspired
By Albert Chen
A transgender coach celebrates the many athletes who came out in the last year
POINT AFTER
By Steve Rushin
Departments
A visit to Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's living room on selection Sunday laid bare what is now the most gut-wrenching moment in sports
By Pete Thamel
Craig Bohl won his third consecutive FCS national title when his North Dakota State team triumphed in that division's 24-team last year. That makes Bohl, now the coach of Wyoming, college football's leading expert on playoffs
As told to Pete Thamel
After 145 years, college football finally has a playoff. There has been plenty of racket en route to the bracket
Four new releases in 140 characters or less
Roger Penske conquered the business world by following his first love: racing
Edited By Alexandra Fenwick
Sports Illustrated HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
By Interview by Dan Patrick
The Case for ... The Four-Team Playoff
By Jim Gorant