Best Of The 60s

Just as the film was gradually changing from black and white to color in the '60s, athletes in the magazine became increasingly diverse and more colorful in every way, led by the brash Muhammad AN. The landscape was being transformed in other ways too—baseball was still king, but football was closing fast, appealing to a younger generation that identified with a rebel QB who looked good in white cleats, a plaid bathing suit or even panty hose.

60s THE CLASSICS
These are the shots we all remember from a decade many still find hard to forget—10 years of turmoil bracketed visually by Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle and the proud and defiant stand of Tommy Smith and John Carlos in Mexico City.

1960
ABEBE BIKILA
The marathon winner at the Rome Olympics, as if lit by Fellini.

1968
OLYMPIC PROTEST

1968
LEW ALCINDOR

1969
JOE NAMATH

1968
BOB BEAMON

1964
Y.A. TITTLE

1961
GUMP WORSLEY
An early net-cam shot of the longtime Rangers goalie making a save against the Canadiens.

1967
O.J. SIMPSON