Leading Off

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PHOTOGRAPH BY KIRBY LEE USA TODAY SPORTS

Hall of an Entrance The Steelers emerged in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday for the kickoff of the Hall of Fame Game, which they lost to the Vikings 14--3. A day earlier eight new members were enshrined nearby at the Hall: (inset, from left) executive Bill Polian, the late linebacker Junior Seau (represented by his daughter, Sydney), running back Jerome Bettis, guard Will Shields, defensive end Charles Haley, center Mick Tingelhoff, wide receiver Tim Brown and executive Ron Wolf.

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JOE ROBBINS GETTY IMAGES

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PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS LOVELOCK FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Free Reign Katie Ledecky churned to victory in the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, on Aug. 5, less than 24 hours after her world-record swim of 15:25.48 in the 1,500 free (inset)—breaking by 2.23 the mark she had set the day before. The 18-year-old from Bethesda, Md., also won the 400 and the 800 for a sweep of those freestyle events, and anchored the U.S.'s victorious 4 × 200 free relay. In two appearances at the worlds she has won all nine of her finals.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS LOVELOCK FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NEIL LEIFER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Frank Gifford 1930--2015 A Pro Bowl selection as a running back, defensive back and receiver during his 12-year NFL career, Gifford died of natural causes at his Greenwich, Conn., home on Sunday (page 14). Gifford led the Giants to five title games between 1956 and '63. By '59 (inset) he was a marquee figure in New York; behind guard Jack Stroud (66) he rushed for 56 yards in a 31--16 championship game loss to the Colts.

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JOHN G. ZIMMERMAN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

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