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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

20 side projects by famous musicians that are definitely worth a listen

One band is often not enough to keep even the most successful musicians satisfied. The more the merrier. Here's a look at some notable musicians and their high-quality side projects.

The 25 most eccentric NBA players of all time

The NBA has produced some memorable characters during its long and storied existence, but some were undoubtedly more peculiar than others. Here's our look at 25 that stand out -- for better or worse, listed in alphabetical order.

The 25 greatest ESPN anchors of all time

In the late 1970s, in the middle-of-nowhere town of Bristol, Conn., ESPN was born. Over the years, it's become the foremost authority in sports media.  It has showcased some of the most notable and recognizable sports media personalities to sit behind an anchor desk.

It takes two: The 25 most iconic duos in sports

When it comes to iconic sports duos, the possibilities seem endless. However, we did our best to rank the 25 best.

Defunct MLB stadiums we wish were still around

Here are our rankings of 25 parks and stadiums still worth holding near and dear to our baseball hearts.

The 25 most eccentric NFL players of all time

There have been plenty of "characters" to step foot on an NFL field. However, there are those who truly turn heads -- for better or worse. Here are the most notable, listed in alphabetical order.

The 20 greatest MLB managers who never won a World Series 

Success in Major League Baseball can be measured in many ways; namely, winning a World Series. As a player, it is truly special. Meanwhile, doing so in the capacity of manager is a significant accomplishment, considering the pressure to succeed.

The most memorable U.S. Summer Olympic performances

Every four years presents another opportunity for American athletes to make lasting memories for both themselves and their country. Here's our list of 25 all-time great Summer Olympic performances from American athletes.

25 iconic sports records that won't be broken anytime soon

Sports records are made to be broken. Then again, it might take longer for some. Here's our list of 25 seemingly unbreakable sports records that should stand the test of time.

The 25 greatest American-born tennis players

When it comes to legendary American tennis players -- men and women -- the pool to choose from is quite large. Narrowing it down to 25 wasn't easy, but here is our list in alphabetical order.

The 20 greatest Canadian basketball players of all time

Canada might be best known for hockey and curling, but the country has also produced some elite basketball players. Here's our list of the 20 best, listed in alphabetical order, with statistics through the 2024-25 NBA season.

The 25 greatest American-born hockey players of all-time

Hockey might be the official sport of Canada, but the United States has also produced some elite talent. With that in mind, here's our list of the 25 best U.S.-born players, listed in alphabetical order.

20 fictional sports uniforms we wished existed in real life

There are many beloved fictional sports franchises or teams out there that are worth celebrating. But how many have memorably great uniforms? Here is our list of the 20 best, presented in alphabetical order.

The 20 most notorious gaffes and blunders in MLB history

From errors to blooper to unfortunate mistakes, here are 20 notable Major League Baseball plays gone wrong, listed in chronological order.

The 20 greatest TV shows that featured athletes as cast members

The transition from the athletic arena to Hollywood can be daunting for those seeking a double dose of stardom. Then again, for others, it's pretty easy.

The 20 greatest pop song covers from heavy metal bands

When it comes to metal, it's usually the harder and heavier the better. Even when covering pop songs. 

Ranking the 25 all-time best action movie franchises

Everyone has their favorite action movie franchises. Narrowing it down to 25 isn't easy. But, we gave it a try. Enjoy!

Every player who won both the College World Series and MLB World Series

There have been 22 players who won both the College World Series and MLB World Series. Here's the list (in chronological order).

The 20 greatest in-game traditions in MLB

Attending a Major League Baseball game can provide memories for all fans. However, in this day and age, that doesn't always come from what happens on the field.

The 20 greatest sports movie franchises, ranked

When it comes to sports movie franchises, there are those that are highly beloved and many that are quite forgettable. Here's our rankings of 20 such film series.

The 25 most eccentric MLB players of all time

Professional baseball players can be a weird bunch. So, trying to narrow down 25 of the greatest characters of Major League Baseball, based on their eccentricities, can be a tough task.

25 actors who can effortlessly kill it in comedic or dramatic roles

A great actor or actress can succeed in any role, whether drama or comedy. The effort is minimal — or, at least — seems minimal) but the result is highly satisfying and often unforgettable.

The 25 most memorable Stanley Cup-clinching moments

Coming through in the biggest moment(s) of the biggest game of the season is often the stuff dreams are made of. Here are some of the best, in chronological order, when it comes to Stanley Cup-clinching contests.

Who will be returning for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans?

Here's a look at the 22 confirmed players, complete with their place finishes from their previous seasons.

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

Often it's not the best players who come through on the court when a team needs it during the most important time of the season. Here's our look at some unsung or overlooked performances in the history of the NBA Finals.