Profiles in Sports Brian Wright

For all the personalities that come and go at ESPN, Linda Cohn has been a trusted, well-respected presence for nearly 25 years. Nobody has anchored more SportsCenter shows than her.



Her 5,000th time hosting the network’s premiere program came on Feb. 21, 2016 – marking a significant accomplishment for a pioneer in this industry. Her love of sports can’t go unnoticed, especially her devotion to the New York Rangers.



Photo courtesy of lindacohn.net

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, their Game 7 win in last year’s NBA Finals over the Golden State Warriors not only capped a tremendous comeback from being down three-games-to-one, it also culminated a personal triumph for LeBron James –- bringing the city of Cleveland a long-awaited championship after leaving them in heartbreaking fashion just six years prior.



NBA writers Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin chronicled this incredible journey back to local hero status in a new book called Return of the King.



Photo courtesy of Grand Central Publishing
Audio courtesy of ABC Sports

From California to Philadelphia to St. Louis to Kansas City, Dick Vermeil ran the football marathon and came out a winner – most especially so in the form of two Super Bowl appearances and a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.



After three decades in coaching – to go along with 14 years in the broadcast booth – Vermeil’s post-retirement life has resulted in a shift in priorities. For so long, his passions were blocking and tackling. Now, they center on cabernet and chardonnay.



Photo courtesy of Yardbarker
Audio courtesy of CBS Sports and ABC Sports

What makes the NCAA Basketball Tournament so compelling each year are the buzzer beaters and the Cinderellas.



Thirty years ago, the 1987 championship game concluded with a late basket from a player who enjoyed his own Cinderella story. Keith Smart scored 17 second-half points against Syracuse – the last two giving the Indiana Hoosiers a 74-73 victory and a fourth national title.



Less than two years before his shining moment, the Baton Rouge, LA native was playing for Garden City Community College in Kansas having very little high school basketball experience.



Photo courtesy of Bill Haber/AP
Audio courtesy of CBS Sports

During the first half of the 1970s, the Oakland A’s were the most colorful team in baseball – with bright double-knit uniforms, long hair and outlandish personalities. They were also the best team – winning five consecutive division titles and three straight World Series from 1972-74.



Author Jason Turbow gives us some great background on a forgotten dynasty with his new book: “Dynasitc, Bombastic, Fantastic: Reggie, Rollie, Catfish, and Charlie Finley’s Swinging A’s”.



Photo courtesy of SI.com
Audio courtesy of NBC Sports

Fearless on the field and feared by his opponents, Easley sported a hard-hitting style en route to claiming five trips to the Pro Bowl, four first-team All-Pro selections, the 1981 Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 1984 Defensive Player of the Year.



Yet one of the best safeties of the 1980s had gotten little recognition in regards to the Hall of Fame.



That changed on February 4. Nearly three decades after his career was curtailed by illness and a mere six months following a triple bypass, Easley got the notice that few football players are privileged to receive.



Photo courtesy of Getty Images