They offer players a putrid punch in the nose but likely little actual performance boost. So how exactly did smelling salts become an essential part of NFL game days? By David Fleming.

Waiting To Inhale

A showcase for the best of ESPN's features and investigations, now in audio form. Mike Philbrick interviews writers about their craft and how their stories are told.

Sports

In 2007, NBA ref Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to betting on games he officiated. But it was never proved that he fixed them -- until now. Our two-year investigation reveals how he did it, whom he did it with and the millions that flowed from the conspiracy. By Scott Eden

How Tim Donaghy Conspired to Fix NBA Games

How could someone born without arms or legs, who's never held a football, teach high school players how to throw, tackle or block? Rob Mendez is doing it as head coach of a California JV team. By Wayne Drehs

Who Says I Can't

A can't-miss first-round pick with a million-dollar signing bonus until the yips derailed his major league dreams more than a decade ago, Luke Hagerty is proving it's never too late to make it big. By Jeff Passan

Luke Hagerty's Improbable Comeback

Boban Marjanovic is 7-foot-3 and -- no joke! -- the most efficient scorer in NBA history. He's also a career backup. Does that bother him? Less than you'd think. By Devin Gordon

The Legend of Boban Marjanovic

In the wild, secretive world of Super Bowl ticket sales, brokers often sell tickets to fans before they actually acquire them. But if the market overheats, fans can get burned. By Tisha Thompson

Waiting To Inhale

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