Paul M. Banks

The Super Bowl has never had a punt returned for a touchdown or had a game go to overtime. The closest a punt returner has gotten to the end zone was last year, when the Broncos' Jordan Norwood saw his record 61-yard punt return end up at the Carolina 14. The closest a game has come to overtime was in 2002, when Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri drilled a 48-yard field goal at the gun to beat the Rams 20-17. He also broke a 29-29 tie two years later against the Carolina Panthers with a 41-yarder with four seconds left. And in 1971, the Colts' Jim O'Brien toed through a 32-yard field goal with five seconds left to give Baltimore a 16-13 victory in the Orange Bowl.

Why you should root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl

June 6, 2018 at 8:26 a.m.

At first blush, rooting for New England in Super Bowl LI could seem like rooting for the house in blackjack. However, upon closer examination, those who are fans of neither...

If New York can have a bowl game, why not Chicago?

June 6, 2018 at 3:41 p.m.

On Monday, the latest bowl season will come to an end when Clemson or Alabama wins the national championship. Much like the Super Bowl, don't expect college football's signature event...

The Commissioner's Trophy was presented by the Commissioner of Baseball to the 2016 Chicago Cubs after defeating the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

Everything you wanted to know about the Cubs’ shiny new trophy

June 6, 2018 at 4:49 p.m.

Those familiar with youth sports know that everyone who participates gets a trophy these days, but in the big leagues you must earn it. The Cubs finally have their own...

Northwestern receiver’s talents soar on every kind of stage

June 8, 2018 at 8:09 p.m.

If any college football player deserves to have a song written about him, it's Austin Carr. At Northwestern's Meet the Team event before the 2016 season kicked off, the wide...

Meet RedEye’s all-Chicago team, NBA Legends edition

June 8, 2018 at 10:55 p.m.

The inaugural State Farm Chicago Legends event tips off Saturday at the United Center with games featuring Northwestern and Illinois. It will double as a tribute to "Legends of Chicago...

A young boy stretches as he stands next to a woman filling out her ballot during early voting at a polling station inside Truman College on October 31, 2016 in Chicago.

Will our generation show up at the polls more than it did in 2012?

June 12, 2018 at 8:51 a.m.

There are now more Millennials in America than Baby Boomers. Thus the youngest demographic of the electorate could tremendously influence the electoral result, should they decide to truly turn out....

Voters cast their ballot during early voting at a polling station on October 31, 2016 in Chicago.

Who exactly are the people running your polling place?

June 9, 2018 at 10:07 a.m.

Election judges are the unsung heroes of Election Day. They will work a 14-hour shift that begins well before dawn. Before serving in this capacity, they must complete a four-hour...

Recently elected Hall of Famer Frank Thomas signs a baseball for David Potter of Bridgeport at SoxFest.

Sox legend Frank Thomas wants Cubs to win the World Series as much as anyone

June 9, 2018 at 1:26 p.m.

For White Sox fans feeling conflicted as the 112th World Series gets under way, perhaps the opinion of a team legend can provide perspective. The most iconic Sox player of...

Illinois football coach Lovie Smith is having a rough time of it, record-wise, so far this season.

Why can’t Illinois have what Wisconsin football fans have?

June 9, 2018 at 4:37 p.m.

The proverbial grass seems perpertually greener on the northern side of the Illinois-Wisconsin border on autumn weekends these days. "America's Dairyland" has a consistent winner on fall Saturdays with the...

See the ’90s Cubs in a new light thanks to a photographer who broke gender barriers

June 9, 2018 at 6:13 p.m.

The Cubs' historical struggles, while monumental in their own context, pale in comparison to the battle women have fought against sexism. Photographer Andie Giafaglione has worked to shatter gender barriers...

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