Honored as the Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year in 2017, Jose Altuve and J.J. Watt were featured on the Dec. 11, 2017 cover.
The 25 Sports Illustrated covers that defined Houston:
On April 18, 1960, Carin Cone became the first University of Houston athlete featured on the cover of SI. Renowned artist Aaron Shikler painted her portrait for the cover.
Carin Cone was the first University of Houston athlete featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This was the second cover for the “Queen of the Backstroke,” who won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Renowned artist Aaron Shikler painted her portrait for the cover.
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The April 20, 1992 Sports Illustrated cover featured Fred Couples, the best golfer in the world, having won the Masters to become the first American to be ranked No. 1.
Fred Couples, who played golf at UH and roomed with Jim Nantz for a while on campus, was the best golfer in the world, having won the Masters to become the first American to be ranked No. 1. He went on to become 1992 player of the year.
The Nov. 16, 1970 cover, before the Rockets relocated from San Diego to Houston, featured Rockets legend Calvin Murphy.
OK, this was a few months before the Rockets relocated from San Diego to Houston, but over the next 50-plus years, Mighty Mite, Calvin Murphy has become a Houston legend, both as one of the Rockets’ all-time great players and longtime broadcaster.
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Michael Jordan was the best basketball player on the planet, and Houston's Clyde Drexler, a former TrailBlazer, was arguably the second best, as stated on this SI cover on May 1, 1992.
Michael Jordan was the best basketball player on the planet. H-Town’s Clyde Drexler was arguably the second best, as stated on this SI cover describing him as Jordan's No. 1 rival.
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Three weeks after the May 7, 2018 SI cover, James Harden and the Rockets lost to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals.
James Harden did light it up, but the space-age Rockets never made a championship run, despite his MVP that season. Three weeks after this cover, Houston lost to Golden State in the Western Conference finals, shooting an abysmal 7-for-44 on 3-pointers, including an incredible, record stretch of 27 straight misses. Harden was 2-for-13 from long range in the loss.
The article in the May 25, 1981 Sports Illustrated cover described A.J. Foyt as “the world’s greatest racecar driver.”
“Get out of the way, here comes A.J.” was the headline on an article that described A.J. Foyt and “the world’s greatest racecar driver.” He was indeed that, as he is the only driver to have won the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
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June 6, 1966: The Astros make their cover debut in the franchise’s fifth season, second as the Astros, featuring a leaping Joe Morgan and Sonny Jackson.
The Astros make their cover debut in the franchise’s fifth season, second as the Astros, featuring a leaping Joe Morgan and Sonny Jackson, their talented second base-shortstop tandem. The story also mentioned the astonishing statistic: The Astros hit just 25 home runs in the Astrodome in 1965.
With Rudy Tomjanovich and Mike Dunleavy in the background, the Rockets' Moses Malone was introduced to the sports world on the Feb. 19, 1979 SI cover.
Standing tall with Rudy Tomjanovich and Mike Dunleavy in the background, Moses Malone, the “Chairman of the Boards,” was introduced to the sports world. That year, Malone became the first Houston Rocket to win an MVP.
The anticipation surrounding Rockets 7-foot-4 phenom Ralph Sampson joining the NBA was the subject of SI's Oct. 31, 1983 cover.
The anticipation was extraordinary. The hype for Victor Wembanyama wasn’t anywhere close to that for Ralph Sampson, the 7-4 phenom who was going to change the game of basketball. He was on the SI cover four times in college. He was the rookie of the year, a four-time all-star and helped the Rockets advance to the 1986 NBA Finals, but injuries derailed his career.
The Rockets' first pick in the 2002 NBA draft, Yao Ming appeared on SI's Oct. 28, 2002 SI cover.
Yao Ming was “The Next Big Thing.” The Chinese star and first pick of the Rockets in the 2002 NBA draft was one of the most unique players to ever enter the league. A skilled big man — really big, as in 7-feet-6 — Yao had a Hall of Fame career that was shortened by foot injuries.
Hakeem Olajuwon's first appearance on a Sports Illustrated cover was on May 26, 1986. He made the cover five times in his 17-year career as a Rocket.
Hakeem Olajuwon appeared on five SI covers in his 17-year career as a Rocket. This was the first, with a great picture of him posterizing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as the upstart Rockets surprised the defending champion Lakers in the playoffs with Dream averaging 31 points and 11.2 rebounds in the series.
The Aug. 18, 1980 Sports Illustrated cover was for a sad story of Astros righty J.R. Richard. One of the most intimidating pitchers of his time, Richard began complaining of arm troubles that season but was initially scoffed at because he continued pitching well. While playing catch at the Astrodome, Richard collapsed and was later diagnosed as a near-fatal stroke that ultimately ended his career.
This cover was for a sad story of J. R. Richard that infuriates to this day. The headline and lead article line says it all. “Now Everyone Believes Him: It took a near-fatal stroke to convince doubters that Houston's J.R. Richard wasn't faking when he complained of arm troubles.”
Feb. 15, 2007: Beyoncé became the first musician to appear on an SI cover.
Beyoncé, Houston’s second dreamgirl — Jennifer Holliday’s Effie is iconic — became the first musician to appear on an SI cover.
UH Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware shared the Nov. 27, 1989 Sports Illustrated cover with Major Harris, Tony Rice, Emmitt Smith and Anthony Thompson vying to win that year’s award.
UH’s Andre Ware shared the cover with four other college stars (Major Harris, Tony Rice, Emmitt Smith, and Anthony Thompson) vying to win that year’s Heisman Trophy. Ware would come out the victor, edging out Thompson in a tight race, though voters couldn’t see his games because the Cougars were on probation.
Elvin Hayes and No. 2 UH made the Jan. 29, 1968 Sports Illustrated cover after upsetting Lew Alcindor and No. 1 UCLA in the “Game of the Century” at the Astrodome.
The “Big E” draining a jumper over Lew Alcindor is an iconic photo from the Game of the Century. The genius marketing mind of UH coach Guy V. Lewis brought us the first college basketball game to be nationally televised, played before nearly 53,000 fans at the Astrodome. The second-ranked Cougars won, ending No. 1 UCLA’s 47-game win streak.
The Houston Oilers' Earl Campbell on the Dec. 4, 1978 Sports Illustrated cover.
As the headline stated, Earl Campbell, the Tyler Rose, was indeed spectacular as a “Rookie on a Rampage,” demolishing defenses as he led the league in rushing yards in his first season, a year that the Oilers made the NFL playoffs for the first time.
Texas' Vince Young on the Dec. 18, 2006 Sports Illustrated cover after leading the Longhorns to their first national championship in 35 years.
The world learned what Houstonian’s had known for years: Vince Young was Superman. In leading the Texas Longhorns to their first national championship in 35 years, he graced the cover with a picture of a sweet dive for a touchdown against the USC Trojans.
Houston's George Foreman on the Sports Illustrated cover on June 18, 1973.
Houston’s Big George Foreman was the baddest man on the planet, the heavyweight champion. He would grace the cover again 21 years later after he knocked out Michael Moorer to reclaim the crown at the age of 45, the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
The Texans' David Carr on the Aug. 19, 2002 cover as Houston braced for the return of the NFL with the inaugural game at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
SI called it “The War for Texas” as the city braced for the return of the NFL with the inaugural game being at home against the Dallas Cowboys. David Carr and the Texans won the war. Since then, the Texans have won five playoff games to the Cowboys’ four, though neither team has made it to a conference championship game or a Super Bowl.
Mary Lou Retton on the Aug. 13, 1984 Sports Illustrated cover after overcoming knee surgery to post perfect 10s in two events to win the all-around Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games.
Red, white, and blue? … “Only You Mary Lou.” Houston’s sweetheart became America’s darling after the 16-year-old high school sophomore overcame a knee surgery to post perfect 10s in two events to win the all-around Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games.
The Astros on the November 2022 commemorative issue after they claimed their second World Series title.
After winning 106 games during the regular season, the Astros claimed their second World Series title with a win over the Phillies, giving Dusty Baker his first championship as a manager. The lead article line from this commemorative issue reads: Houston has a convincing title and a modern MLB Dynasty.”
Carl Lewis was on the Sports Illustrated cover after winning the long jump, his ninth gold medal, at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
The headline says it all. “The Best Ever.” Carl Lewis, who moved from New Jersey to Houston to run for Tom Tellez’s track program, is on every reputable list of the best athletes in the history of sports. The cover is a spectacular photo of his last Olympic gold medal win in the long jump in Atlanta.
The Astros' Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve on the cover of a Sports Illustrated commemorative issue after the Astros won the 2017 World Series.
“Houston Has Its World Championship (At Last!). After 56 seasons, the Astros finally won a World Series. Alex Bregman races to a group hug with Carlos Correa and Altuve.
The Houston Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on a collector's edition of Sports Illustrated after winning the 1995 NBA championship.
After being snubbed the year before, the Rockets got their much-deserved championship cover with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler embracing and a “Twice Is Nice” headline after winning the NBA Finals for the second consecutive season.
Houston stars Jose Altuve and J.J. Watt were honored as the Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year in 2017.
Houston’s finest, Jose Altuve and J.J. Watt — the best baseball and football players the city has ever seen — were honored as the SI Sportspersons of the Year, thanks to their having “lifted up the City of Houston after immense devastation” of Hurricane Harvey.
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