Sports Illustrated - February 27, 1989

Sports Illustrated - February 27, 1989

Cover Subject:

The front cover features Charles Thompson, former University of Oklahoma quarterback, in handcuffs. The cover story addresses the controversy surrounding Oklahoma Sooners' football program under coach Barry Switzer, highlighting a scandal involving arrests, drugs, and misbehavior.

Condition:

Using the Overstreet Grading Scale, this magazine appears to be in Fine (FN) 6.0 condition based on visible factors:

• Positives:
  • The colors remain vibrant on both the cover and the back advertisement.
  • No noticeable tears, missing pieces, or major creases.
  • The spine is intact with minimal stress lines.
• Flaws:
  • Slight edge wear and corner rounding, particularly on the bottom right of the front cover.
  • Minor scuffing visible on the covers.
  • The back cover has minor surface wear and slight discoloration.
  • Subscription label adhered to the lower left of the front cover.

Special Features:

• Scandal Feature: A prominent piece on the fall of Oklahoma’s football program, making it a key collectible for college sports historians.
• Cultural Significance: Highlights a pivotal moment in sports ethics and collegiate athletic oversight during the late 1980s.
• Back Cover Advertisement: A vintage cigarette ad for Carlton, emphasizing its "lowest in tar and nicotine" claim. This adds collectible value due to its reflection of advertising practices of the time.