Faces in the Crowd (Sports Illustrated)

Faces in the Crowd is a long-running segment from Sports Illustrated. Starting in the January 9, 1956, issue, the segment was originally titled These Faces in the Crowd.Sports Illustrated, December 15, 2006, p. 14 The predecessor to These Faces... was a segment called Pat on the Back. It differed in that it did not just focus on unknown or amateur athletes. Contrary to Faces in the Crowd, it featured professional athletes who set milestones and celebrities who undertook an athletic endeavor. Slight deviations from its basic format are rare. One such example was in the college football preview issue on September 5, 1977, when the segment was temporarily retitled Freshmen in the Crowd and featured six incoming gridiron prospects from major NCAA Division I programs."Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, September 5, 1977. Retrieved December 19, 2020 From 1956 to 2006, a total of 15,672 athletes have been featured.Sports Illustrated, December 15, 2006, page 7

Video Faces in the Crowd Video Faces in the Crowd is segment from Sports Illustrated and TAKKLE.com, which features up-and-coming high school athletes and their sports videos. The athletes are featured in the Sports Illustrated magazine, on the Sports Illustrated website and on the TAKKLE website.

Famous Faces in the Crowd The 1950s

AthleteSportSI Cover DateSpecial NotesBobby FischerChessApril 30, 1956At age 15, became youngest International GrandmasterAlthea GibsonTennis/GolfMay 21, 1956Became first African American to win Wimbledon, and later became the first African American on the LPGA tourWilma RudolphTrack and FieldSeptember 3, 1956First African American woman to win three gold medals in one OlympicsJack NicklausGolfSeptember 2, 1957Winner of 18 professional golf majors, plus 8 senior majorsElgin BaylorBasketballFebruary 10, 1958Named in 1996 as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Later became general manager of the Los Angeles ClippersKris KristoffersonRugby, Football, BoxingMarch 31, 1958(published as Kristoffer Kristofferson)Al OerterTrack and FieldApril 14, 1958First of only two track and field athletes to win the same event in four consecutive OlympicsBobby UnserMotor SportsJuly 14, 1958Won the Indianapolis 500 three times

The 1960s

AthleteSportSI Cover DateSpecial NotesMarv LevyFootballFebruary 15, 1960Member of Pro Football Hall of FameArthur AsheTennisDecember 12, 1960Only African American man to win the U.S. Open, Australian Open, or WimbledonBillie Jean KingTennisJuly 17, 1961(published as Billie Jean Moffitt) Won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 19 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Also won a combined 20 titles at Wimbledon.Evonne GoolagongTennisFebruary 3, 1964Won seven Grand Slam singles titlesLew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)BasketballApril 27, 1964Won three NCAA titles and six NBA championshipsLanny WadkinsGolfJuly 20, 1964Won 21 times on the PGA Tour, including one PGA ChampionshipJohnny MillerGolfAugust 24, 1964Won 25 times on the PGA Tour, including one U.S. Open (with a final-round 63) and one Open ChampionshipRollie FingersBaseballSeptember 14, 1964Had 341 career savesBob BeamonTrack and FieldMay 10, 1965Won the gold medal in the long jump at the 1968 Olympics by setting a world record that would stand for over 20 yearsCalvin Murphy"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, January 31, 1966. Retrieved October 23, 2020BasketballJanuary 31, 19661993 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee; point guard with San Diego/Houston Rockets (1970–1983).Tim Sheehy"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, March 14, 1966. Retrieved October 23, 2020HockeyMarch 14, 1966Right wing with four teams in World Hockey Association and National Hockey League in seven seasons during 1970s.Terry Bradshaw"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, April 11, 1966. Retrieved October 23, 2020FootballApril 11, 19661989 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee; quarterbacked Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins (IX, X, XIII, XIV).Jeff Petrie"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, May 30, 1966. Retrieved October 24, 2020BaseballMay 30, 1966Shooting guard with Portland Trail Blazers (1970–1976). Given name misspelled and featured for another sport.Tom Clements"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, January 9, 1967. Retrieved November 15, 2020BasketballJanuary 9, 1967Starting quarterback with Notre Dame's 1973 NCAA Division I national championship football team. Featured for another sport.Vera WangFigure SkatingJanuary 8, 1968Became a world-famous fashion designerHubert GreenGolfApril 22, 1968Won 19 times on the PGA Tour, including one U.S. Open and one PGA ChampionshipHoward Stevens"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, January 20, 1969. Retrieved September 24, 2020FootballJanuary 20, 1969Return specialist with New Orleans Saints (1973–1975) and Baltimore Colts (1975–1977).Johnny Neumann"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, February 24, 1969. Retrieved November 10, 2020BasketballFebruary 24, 1969Small forward in American Basketball Association (1971–1976) and National Basketball Association (1976–1977).Chris EvertTennisApril 14, 1969Won 18 Grand Slam singles titlesEarnie ShaversBoxingMay 5, 1969Heavyweight contender in the late 1970s; regarded as one of the hardest punchers everSteve Prefontaine"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, June 2, 1969. Retrieved October 23, 2020Track and FieldJune 2, 1969Long-distance runner who competed at 1972 Summer Olympics. Feature films Prefontaine and Without Limits based on his life.Nancy Lopez"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, September 15, 1969. Retrieved October 19, 2020GolfSeptember 15, 1969Won 48 times on the LPGA tour, including three majors. Married to World Series MVP Ray Knight.Gary Gabelich"Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, October 20, 1969. Retrieved October 19, 2020Motor SportsOctober 20, 1969Set then-Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Land Speed Record (LSR) in 1970.

The 1970s