 Classic SI photo by Manny Millan |
Dynamic Duo
John Stockton, who announced his retirement in May, and Karl Malone combined to form the NBA's most renowned guard-forward combination. The pair, which has led the Jazz to a winning record and to the playoffs in each of the 18 seasons theyıve played together, earned co-MVP honors at the 1993 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.
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FACES IN THE CROWD |
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Golden Richards Salt Lake City
July 21, 1969 -- Richards, 18, a three-sport letterman, led his Salt Lake City high school to the Utah Class A track title, setting meet records in the 180-yard low hurdles (18.9) and 100-yard dash (9.7). He also won the long jump, in spite of having gashed his leg on a hurdle.
Career highlight: First Utah resident to play in a Super Bowl.
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Merlin Olsen, Logan
All-America defensive tackle at Utah State went on to sterling 15-year career with Rams; 1974 NFL player of the year.
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Natalie Williams, Salt Lake City
Two-time NCAA player of the year in volleyball at UCLA was also two-time All-America in basketball; 1998 ABL MVP, now with WNBA's Utah Starzz.
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Jim McMahon, Roy
Set 71 NCAA passing records at BYU; Bears' second-leading alltime passer (11,203 yards); led club to Super Bowl XX win.
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FLASHBACK |
1997: Can Nice Guys Finish First?
Even with its playoff hopes high, the Jazz would rather forgo a title than abandon its old-fashioned principles
At first the Wasatch Range commands your attention. The mountains rise steeply along the eastern side of Salt Lake City, cutting a jagged line into the sky and taking your breath away with their splendor..
FULL STORY
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THE SI POLL |
Who do Utahns root for? SI asked the Beehive State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
New York Yankees | 10% |
Atlanta Braves | 8% |
San Francisco Giants | 8% |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 7% |
Chicago Cubs | 7% |
No favorite | 23% |
Favorite NFL team
San Francisco 49ers | 25% |
Denver Broncos | 8% |
Green Bay Packers | 8% |
Oakland Raiders | 7% |
Favorite NBA team
Utah Jazz | 72% |
Los Angeles Lakers | 5% |
Favorite NHL team
Colorado Avalanche | 9% |
Detroit Red Wings | 7% |
No favorite | 58% |
State's biggest rival
California | 27% |
Colorado | 23% |
Wyoming | 15% |
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Favorite pro team
Utah Jazz | 40% |
San Francisco 49ers | 10% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a team in your state
John Stockton | 37% |
Steve Young | 31% |
Karl Malone | 18% |
Favorite announcer
Hot Rod Hundley | 34% |
John Madden | 12% |
Vin Scully | 7% |
Favorite sport to play
Basketball | 18% |
Golf | 17% |
Hiking | 14% |
Fishing | 13% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV**
Football | 70% |
Basketball | 65% |
Winter Olympics | 61% |
Summer Olympics | 56% |
Baseball | 34% |
**Multiple responses allowed. | |
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Favorite college sports team
BYU Football | 32% |
Utah Basketball | 11% |
Utah Football | 8% |
Biggest sports rivalry in your state
Utah vs. BYU | 89% |
BYU vs. Utah State | 3% |
Jazz vs. Lakers | 2% |
Utah vs. Utah State | 2% |
Which is more important to you, sports or sex?
Sex | 57% |
Sports | 22% |
Decline to answer | 21% |
FUN FACT | |
Seventy-six percent of respondents have openly booed a referee or official, 50 percent have taken part in a Super Bowl betting pool and 34 percent have prayed for their team to win a game. | |
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*Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 416 Utah residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/- 4.5%.
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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5 NCAA Division 1-A football record for most consecutive games in a season gaining 400 yards or more, held by Ty Detmer of BYU.
4 Times former Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton led the NBA in blocked shots (1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88).
0 Number of losing seasons Utah's Rick Majerus has had in his 19-year college head coaching career.
1994 Year former quarterback Steve Young received his law degree from BYU.
13th Overall pick with which Karl Malone was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1985 NBA Draft.
44 BYU football record for most passes completed in a game, held by Jim McMahon (vs. Colorado State, Nov. 7, 1981).
2,542 Points scored by Keith Van Horn during his college career, making him the leading scorer in Utah and WAC history.
15,000 Career assist dished out by John Stockton of the Utah Jazz on March 10, 2002.
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
Shaquille O'Neal
That former Jazz star Malone has joined Shaq in Los Angeles is galling to Utahns, who chose as their most hated opponents the Lakers (55%), the Chicago Bulls (12%) and the University of Wyoming (8%).
Shaquille O'Neal | 27% |
Michael Jordan | 20% |
Karl Malone | 9% |
Dennis Rodman | 9% |
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: Jan. 4, 1896 (45th state)
Area: 84,904 square miles
Bird: California Seagull
Capital: Salt Lake City
Economy: Agriculture -- Cattle, dairy products, hay, turkeys. Industry -- Machinery, aerospace, mining, food processing, electric equipment, tourism.
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Flower: Sego lily (Calochortus nuttalli)
Nickname: The Beehive State
Population: 2,233,169 (34th)
Pro sports teams: Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Starzz (WNBA)
Major college programs: Brigham Young Cougars, Utah Utes, Weber State Wildcats
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