Elizabeth Merrill Archive
- Senior writer for ESPN.com
- Formerly at "The Kansas City Star" and "The Omaha World-Herald"
- Title IX
Emotions linger for former Illinois State wrestler
When Kevin Bracken was a kid, he dreamed of wrestling in college. Today, the former Olympian mourns the loss of Illinois State wrestling, one of dozens of teams cut in the Title IX era as schools have made tough choices to comply with the law.
Apr 26 8:16 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Andrew Luck -- like father, like son
Oliver Luck's influence on his son, Andrew, is somewhat intangible. It's the reason Oliver's son, an All-American at Stanford, is so well-prepared for the NFL.
Apr 26 8:58 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
NFL retirees: Williams, Saints crossed the line
No, they weren't saints back in the day, but several retired NFL players known for their toughness say bounties violate an unwritten player code.
Apr 17 8:16 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Denver bittersweet over Manning, Tebow
Perhaps it's fitting that Tim Tebow, one of the most popular and polarizing figures in the history of the Denver Broncos, would be replaced by Peyton Manning, a quarterback who is almost universally revered.
Mar 21 3:53 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: The origins of Gregg Williams
His entire career, for Gregg Williams there was only one way to play the game, and it was hard-core. Now, Williams likely awaits league punishment for his role administering a bounty program while with the New Orleans Saints.
Mar 9 2:31 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Jeremy Lin inspires passion, hoop dreams
In just four weeks, Jeremy Lin's sudden emergence for the New York Knicks has brought sports fans face-to-face with some of the same racial and cultural stereotypes that players on teams like the Boston Hurricanes have wrestled with for decades.
Mar 4 8:51 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: The road to NFL retirement
The decision to retire isn't always left up to an NFL player. Ligaments tear, discs bulge, bodies decline and teams move on. But when a player has that choice, what does he go through?
Feb 9 6:02 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
After Eli wins, attention returns to Peyton
The Mannings were the talk of Indianapolis this week -- with Eli in the Super Bowl and Peyton facing his future in football
Feb 7 1:06 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Pats' Nick McDonald makes a mother proud
The New England Patriots offensive lineman found a second home after losing his own mother to cancer.
Feb 4 1:26 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
12 things to know about Tom Brady
There is so much more to New England's star quarterback than his supermodel wife and 22,000-square-foot mansion.
Feb 1 1:05 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Indy, Manning in awkward place
The Super Bowl spotlight shines on Indianapolis as it tries to come to terms with the possible departure of iconic quarterback Peyton Manning.
Jan 31 9:47 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Giants' Cruz, Nicks are double trouble for opponents
New York Giants receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks each surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season, which might not seem like a big deal in NFL circles, but it's the first time in franchise history it's been done by two receivers in one year.
Jan 19 4:52 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Ravens' Suggs plays with an infectious enthusiasm
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is funny and outspoken and is having a season so dominant some in the league consider him a contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Jan 12 3:06 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
- More Sports
Saints' Rita Benson LeBlanc stands out
New Orleans Saints co-owner Rita Benson LeBlanc is used to being around the guys. She's known many of them since she was a kid. But she likes being different and standing out.
Jan 5 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Philly booed Santa, but Santa still smiles
Frank Olivo loves his Philadelphia Eagles, and despite being booed and pelted with snowballs while he played Santa on a cold day in December 1968, he still loves the connection that day gives him to his team.
Dec 22 3:10 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
- Womens College Basketball
OSU family, Stillwater feel loss of Budke, Serna
Stillwater, Okla., is known as a close-knit community, and the loss of women's basketball coaches Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna has hit everyone from the employees at the local Perkins to the football and men's basketball teams.
Nov 21 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Sports help Kansas town rebuild after tornado
Their town is still littered with tornado damage but homecoming, volleyball matches, basketball rivalries -- the games -- went on for the athletes, fans and residents of Greensburg, Kan., writes ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill.
Nov 18 1:02 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
The Mag: Game day with Texans owner Robert McNair
In ESPN The Magazine, Elizabeth Merrill writes about spending a day at Reliant Stadium with Texans billionaire owner Robert McNair.
Nov 17 12:36 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
OTL: Sandusky profile
Few talking about former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, whom many called a friend.
Nov 11 4:17 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
- More Sports
Raiders CEO Trask driven like Davis
Amy Trask is arguably the most powerful woman in the NFL, and, as CEO of the Oakland Raiders, must help lead the franchise after the death of its storied leader, Al Davis.
Nov 3 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Joplin High Eagles forever changed
In May, an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Mo. This community has worked to repair the giant hole in the middle of town. But how do you restore a teenager's youth?
Oct 16 10:36 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
For Zack Greinke, the future is now
The former K.C. Royals standout, in his first season with the Milwaukee Brewers, gets his first taste of the MLB postseason spotlight.
Oct 2 10:15 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Hope Solo dealing with the stars
Four years ago, Hope Solo was considered a malcontent and was temporarily banished from the U.S. women's soccer team after speaking her mind. Now look at her. America can't get enough.
Sep 26 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Suh determined to get more
Ndamukong Suh has been called dirty, but intensity, hard work and humility are his defining traits in Detroit, writes Liz Merrill.
Sep 22 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Columnists
Mechelle Voepel
- Voepel: Auriemma has Huskies on brink of eighth NCAA title
(04/08/2013) - Voepel: Lack of title doesn't diminish Diggins' career
(04/07/2013)
Michelle Smith
- Smith: Stanford-Cal showdown would be elite
(03/18/2013) - Smith: Five more that could reach the Final Four
(03/18/2013)
Sarah Spain
- Spain: Nothing but love for Michael Jordan
(02/15/2013) - TWSS: In the name of Taylor Swift cutaways, my Grammys review
(02/14/2013)
Jane McManus
- McManus: Female athletes pay steep price for controversies
(11/28/2012) - McManus: Serena's comeback story of WTA season
(11/27/2012)
