On the Field

"Underdogs. No shot. Dead in the water. The first No. 1 seed since 1970 to be ’dogs in the divisional round."

We know there are a lot of doubters, but I don’t think we’d have it any other way.

Athletes and their families gave photographers from The Players’ Tribune extraordinary access in 2017. Below are our 17 favorite images of the year.

It’s like "The Art of War" — you gotta know your enemy just as well as you know yourself.

Whatever team that drafts me, you're going to get a guy that's extremely competitive and a guy that's going to work harder than just about anyone.

We got together two players who know a thing or two about Game 7s, David Ortiz and Anthony Rizzo.

When I think about the 2004 playoffs, I think about Kevin Millar. Nothing would have been possible without this guy. What a freaking character, man

I searched the world for musings to add to my AI Musecage. This led me to study how great whites sharks hunt seals off the coast of South Africa.

I still don’t think the magnitude of the whole thing has really set in. I don’t know that it ever will.

Everything has been leading up to this. Minneapolis, Madison, Chicago and Waterloo have all led me to South Bend. And it’s time to play hockey.

The image of Gazza falling to the ground with his arms out, the noise at Wembley and the crowd going wild — that’s what the national team is to me.

“New year, new season, new a** whupping." We’ve been repeating it over and over this week.

Reflecting on my career with England so far, that free kick was an incredible moment and I actually have a framed picture in my house of me, Harry, Dele and Way

It’s important that we bring pride back to our country. We know that’s what supporters have been waiting for as well.

As proud as I am to hear those words, I’m even more surprised. I still can’t believe how many people all over the country know who the Shockers are.

For me, Plan A was to become a professional footballer. And what was my Plan B? Make Plan A work.

All the former Zags who paved the way — we owe them. Now it's time to finish what they started.

No había ninguna forma en la que pudiera rechazar la oportunidad de representar a la Republica Dominicana en el CMB. Está en mi sangre.

The decision was easy. There was no way I could pass on representing the Dominican Republic in the WBC. It’s in my blood.

I remember one question after the game, “Do you think 50 points is your ceiling?” In my head I was thinking: No way.

When you’re a rookie, you think that once you’re in the league, it’s just basketball … but on a higher level. Now I know that ain’t the whole story.

Tar Heel Nation has unfinished business. We want a championship.

What we’re doing here is bigger than any end-of-season tournament. We’re building a program, a tradition, a culture.

Everyone thinks they know Alabama. It’s like I don’t even have to ask people. I can already tell what they're thinking.