January 02, 1978 | Volume 48, Issue 1

Heading for New Orleans and Super Bowl XII, Oakland took a long, winding road, Denver shot ahead via the passing lane, Dallas roared through some shortcuts and Minnesota, wheels churning, jounced...

'Twas the day before Christmas, and for 58 minutes the Oakland Raiders and the Baltimore Colts had been frolicking around Baltimore's Memorial Stadium in the opening game of the AFC playoffs....

A White Christmas? Bah, humbug! In Denver they had something even better—Orange Crushmas. It took place when the town's orange-jerseyed Broncos, led by their Orange Crush defense, stunned the...

Although living legends were supposed to scamper around Texas Stadium Monday afternoon—legends like Tony Dorsett and Walter Payton who could hand out 8 x 10 glossies of themselves as they...

This was supposed to be the year the Minnesota Vikings would get their lumps in the opening round of the NFC playoffs, not in the Super Bowl. After all, this time Minnesota would be playing the...

King cotton and No. 1, those would be unbeaten Texas' titles if it beats Notre Dame in Dallas. But if the Irish win, Notre Dame or one of the other once-beaten bowl teams—Alabama, Arkansas,...

Montclair State's Carol Blazejowski is a 34-point scorer who tends to shoot off her mouth as often as her jumper

WEST

WAYNE RADFORD: Indiana's forward made a foul shot with four seconds left to clinch a 67-66 upset win over Notre Dame, then was named MVP of the Indiana Classic as the Hoosiers beat Bowling Green...

Dan Seemiller successfully defended his U.S. Closed championship at Las Vegas with sharp forehand top spins, but it's his bizarre backhand that sets him apart

In seven years with this magazine. Staff Writer Kent Hannon has chased down some unusual stories. There was the one about the 8-year-old boy from Orlando, Fla., who was a black belt in karate, and...

Hunter hangs by his toes from doors, and he hung on to win the downhill.

With Rocket star Rudy Tomjanovich lost to his team for the season and the Lakers' Kermit Washington fined and suspended for decking him, the game faces a crisis

Penn State had to keep clawing for a win over Arizona State in the Fiesta

Kramer tells more about the tour—accounts of "fixes," of Gussie Moran and of the Panchos (Gonzales and Segura).

PRO BASKETBALL—You've got to win for the new coach. It's a rule. Philadelphia did it for Billy Cunningham, who took over a 2-4 club. The Sixers are now 20-10 and in first place in the Atlantic....

4—Anthony Donna7—drawing by SQW10—Neil Leifer (left), Peter Read Miller11—John Iacono (left), Heinz Kluetmeier12, 13—Walter Iooss Jr.14—Heinz Kluetmeier15—John Iacono17—Heinz Kluetmeier35—Manny...

THE PAVLACIC FAMILYFLORISSANT, MO.Don, 41, a utility company employee, was 24 when he learned to speed skate. He won 21 medals and taught the sport to his son. Since then, each of his children has...

YOUNG CAUTHENSir:A perfect selection for Sportsman of the Year (Dec. 19-26). Aside from his exquisite riding ability, Steve Cauthen has shown perseverance and a sturdy character under immense...

SEEING IS BELIEVING

•Marvin Davis, Denver oilman, after purchasing the Oakland A's for a figure rumored to be more than $12 million: "As men get older, the toys get more expensive."