Sports cartoons through the years

![The sports world often intersects the political landscape, whether serving as relief or added commentary. At the same time, the larger-than-life characters of the athletic cosmos provide just as much creatively cartoonish fuel as some U.S. presidents, from LeBron James and Tom Brady to the madness of March and everything in between the lines and beyond.

From the courts, tracks, and fields around the map, here are some of our favorite sports-themed editorial cartoons from the past several years.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zfxljQBfU6lewWNEVljP8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5NTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/5adb239194683dd2264cc02da967f07a)

The sports world often intersects the political landscape, whether serving as relief or added commentary. At the same time, the larger-than-life characters of the athletic cosmos provide just as much creatively cartoonish fuel as some U.S. presidents, from LeBron James and Tom Brady to the madness of March and everything in between the lines and beyond. From the courts, tracks, and fields around the map, here are some of our favorite sports-themed editorial cartoons from the past several years.

The sports world often intersects the political landscape, whether serving as relief or added commentary. At the same time, the larger-than-life characters of the athletic cosmos provide just as much creatively cartoonish fuel as some U.S. presidents, from LeBron James and Tom Brady to the madness of March and everything in between the lines and beyond.

From the courts, tracks, and fields around the map, here are some of our favorite sports-themed editorial cartoons from the past several years.

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Joey Weatherford, USA TODAY Network

Nfl 2020 Copy Color](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jNm2uFqnLlm6Dpliey3Kwg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc0MjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/a62ba854e9a6cb2a2c3d41965f17a121)

Joey Weatherford, USA TODAY Network Nfl 2020 Copy Color

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marlette cartoon: Biden's early successes inspiring "March madness"...

2021 03 29 Biden March Madness](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/D6dCiS7JWj4K6MExrCyFsg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/cce3aafd68f7f80d8e77d272582665ca)

Marlette cartoon: Biden's early successes inspiring "March madness"... 2021 03 29 Biden March Madness

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Don Landgren, USA TODAY Network

041821landgrenedelman](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MMHhGmZJp4opdnmRGFGe3A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY4OTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/d42f3ffb7e5c3aafc1046d75537e0fa0)

Don Landgren, USA TODAY Network 041821landgrenedelman

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Mike Thompson

072821thompsonbiles](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MIJb5lu16AXAX7f_BEVWSA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/ad84c2e13f3638776c1fad95ca32f15b)

Mike Thompson 072821thompsonbiles

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Andy Marlette, USA TODAY Network

91421marlettebrady](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/50chveHdEq2PmBx6HJyjow--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/bb8e6f3d662028acca4b1dc4dc6b2513)

Andy Marlette, USA TODAY Network 91421marlettebrady

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network

101521murphyraiders](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0smS3VtbNfq8h9pY6t3CDg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/ef2eaddaa8c139bc790a24a493a9851f)

Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network 101521murphyraiders

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Sox Yankees wild card Dave Granlund

Edit Toon Red Sox Yanks 2021 Wild Card](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.a.Q8XC4VQJFIs.Z2cI6Uw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1NTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/f2ad3a0b5299cf5ac93d44bf12fc26cb)

Sox Yankees wild card Dave Granlund Edit Toon Red Sox Yanks 2021 Wild Card

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![In tribute: Al Unser

2021 12 10 Al Unser Obit](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6h.42n15YI6HaoCT39AS1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/048aea3b7a6823491573cbc11b294365)

In tribute: Al Unser 2021 12 10 Al Unser Obit

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Editorial cartoon

012422murphyyolympics](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Xmtz6RbNZwYGneHi8FuM1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/b05e5e74c7db07cdde1cbd8ae9c8bedc)

Editorial cartoon 012422murphyyolympics

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![To say the Cincinnati Reds have had a bad year is an understatement. While there have been several bright spots that give fans hope for the future — not to mention the heart brought every day by the players — the spark just hasn't been there for the 2022 Redlegs.

It's Necessary: Reds power outage](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/I2ha8nnTjwYQxM2KQmQlwQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/45e9a742fe5bac32fc459d187ab579f2)

To say the Cincinnati Reds have had a bad year is an understatement. While there have been several bright spots that give fans hope for the future — not to mention the heart brought every day by the players — the spark just hasn't been there for the 2022 Redlegs. It's Necessary: Reds power outage

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![In tribute: Bill Russell

2022 08 01 Bill Russell Obit](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/688Kw43vWUN_pjFh5i2.tw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/b80bf4400b441935f3891e3fccf6c979)

In tribute: Bill Russell 2022 08 01 Bill Russell Obit

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Expectations for the 2022 Cincinnati Bengals are high.

It's Necessary: Huge expectations for 2022 Bengals](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3AP9fg8Qh_U9Qo6Qc8jTcg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/9eb7920a0d79bcb1c92bf6e01119328b)

Expectations for the 2022 Cincinnati Bengals are high. It's Necessary: Huge expectations for 2022 Bengals

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![In tribute: Coach Bobby Bowden

2021 08 13 Bobby Bowden Obit](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3enHVV2vCI.P.OEBPdEL2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/fb60f8b4b9c078ee57a6c539bdde93e3)

In tribute: Coach Bobby Bowden 2021 08 13 Bobby Bowden Obit

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Pensacola Mount Rushmore of Sports - Which local athletes will be etched into history?

Sports Rushmore](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n8Kp0XAExT6zCFrugdR_tg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2NTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/37c36a69102e1a55480dcea34a0d6a6e)

Pensacola Mount Rushmore of Sports - Which local athletes will be etched into history? Sports Rushmore

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![The incident at Monday's Bills-Bengals game involving Bills' player Damar Hamlin was a terrifying reminder of how dangerous the most popular sport in the U.S. can be to those who play it.

It's Necessary: Prayers for Damar](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JlSfsfO5TSt2MDbUzSzTiA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/a3d0df5d01b2ba31a2b2fecca54796f0)

The incident at Monday's Bills-Bengals game involving Bills' player Damar Hamlin was a terrifying reminder of how dangerous the most popular sport in the U.S. can be to those who play it. It's Necessary: Prayers for Damar

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Granlund's View: Super Bowl LV

Edit Toon Super Bowl Kc Vs Bucs](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3YHdot6RoK6Ipt53aZemAQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/49d50b3ff80e593dd9954779d5492758)

Granlund's View: Super Bowl LV Edit Toon Super Bowl Kc Vs Bucs

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marlette cartoon: Super Bowl LV another Groundhog Day

2021 02 05 Groundhog Superbowl](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/i23Neddo2BGi.6Rnt.l3LA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/db6b6003ff75d687f4e4f339b52eda67)

Marlette cartoon: Super Bowl LV another Groundhog Day 2021 02 05 Groundhog Superbowl

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Don Landgren cartoon

Thumbnail Super Bowl Lv](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k7illqs6ZC0sK.nRJybT5g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY4OTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/ca7d9e835717b602f6b8ffeb6aa3c818)

Don Landgren cartoon Thumbnail Super Bowl Lv

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

!['Betting on Disney'

Archer Toon 2 12 23](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eFXIk3KHk2M2RZLvKly_Pw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY3MjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/b920c044dd1377e5a6c2f20b3e5517e2)

'Betting on Disney' Archer Toon 2 12 23

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marlette cartoon: NFL values

2022 02 04 Nfl Values](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mAodLCZ2GM3_jtO6VP6dbA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/5630426b45e0f9d7dd41ec3f508c9e75)

Marlette cartoon: NFL values 2022 02 04 Nfl Values

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network

122921murphymadden](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XK4fF4ZhVSdpmq238hlLfg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/c988721f85eefa20b59a4f6f850bdcfd)

Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network 122921murphymadden

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Coming out

Wednesday Toon Nfl Gay](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/L6CbqHYGUINF_JEuzj33yA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/024199437d2198fadeb703a62d73609e)

Coming out Wednesday Toon Nfl Gay

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Don Landgren editorial cartoon

Landgre Nfl Color Web](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cAFd7xzOJPB.Zbank3IbpA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5OTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/e8993f1575fdf3ead74eabb9cd974557)

Don Landgren editorial cartoon Landgre Nfl Color Web

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Don Landgren editorial cartoon

Landgren Nfl Web](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hN_vCVGITEZGt_BEGrTNjg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY4OTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/98d68caf26c46a2478e9a50bb3be7e7b)

Don Landgren editorial cartoon Landgren Nfl Web

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Cincinnati is one of the candidate host cities wooing FIFA, the governing body of international football (soccer?).

It's Necessary: FIFA comes to Cincinnati](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/210e7IXgvgTKuICNKASCww--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/9d839595462e8495b23654b7300b8151)

Cincinnati is one of the candidate host cities wooing FIFA, the governing body of international football (soccer?). It's Necessary: FIFA comes to Cincinnati

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Football's back

Football](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VtIqR.CIl.Sxsa1tuIDZ8A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY3MjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/59ca75942e047da8140bb49a71bdecc8)

Football's back Football

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![The effects of COVID-19 on football...

Ryan Errickson Football Cartoon Copy S2](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dw4jlyMeh2Y5mHVE2HUUyw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQ5ODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/f173576c70f77cd401232db609a414b3)

The effects of COVID-19 on football... Ryan Errickson Football Cartoon Copy S2

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marlette cartoon: 43-year-old Tom Brady a triumph for Gen X

2021 02 08 Tom Brady Gen X](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0XLb1M_u2GqWoEYCwNtBNA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/e794669e66bf94f586713d834c206b25)

Marlette cartoon: 43-year-old Tom Brady a triumph for Gen X 2021 02 08 Tom Brady Gen X

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network

102121murphychina](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N6J_i_IGlCerYFbfXa5b_Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/828aed2e2953a0544748aff06d54916b)

Marc Murphy, USA TODAY Network 102121murphychina

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Andy Marlette, USA TODAY Network

Thumbnail 2021 01 27fla Patronis Olympics](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9G1Mi3cCBo1QN4Ruca4ucg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/bfbdc78b3d9683a3923d021a34921246)

Andy Marlette, USA TODAY Network Thumbnail 2021 01 27fla Patronis Olympics

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Dave Granlund, USA TODAY Network

000 Copy](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HS2jCZe7i49lHPeKqbX4EA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/966a34cf0655efbafca6d32bb6ae58de)

Dave Granlund, USA TODAY Network 000 Copy

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Mike Thompson, USA TODAY

031621thompsonmarchmadnessweb](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0A5VNSOO28DqWEycSbr1gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTczNDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/84df91ce17e603af30c0b00331890648)

Mike Thompson, USA TODAY 031621thompsonmarchmadnessweb

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Marlette cartoon: UGA beats Bama

2022 01 11 Uga Beats Bama](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/et9cUklPkJRKrW59UBfEuw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/3d96f9156e59fe5b3e4517be927ae7bf)

Marlette cartoon: UGA beats Bama 2022 01 11 Uga Beats Bama

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![A cartoon by Enquirer sports cartoonist Jerry Dowling about the weather at the Reds' Opening Day, April 8, 1985.

The Cincinnati Enquirer Tue Apr 9 1985](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uz23jUZgZ_g.2QCgCCb0yQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTkyNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/5f5d2d4416176b7b143cf2c4a6a5afa6)

A cartoon by Enquirer sports cartoonist Jerry Dowling about the weather at the Reds' Opening Day, April 8, 1985. The Cincinnati Enquirer Tue Apr 9 1985

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Youth sports

Youth Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C9S6RxDruV7PupZ11RG6hA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY3MjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/b4cb46b4509e112a11ccd7a8a9d0300d)

Youth sports Youth Sports

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Granlund's View

Edit Toon Muddy Sports Fields](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NWbirJDdAJig8MMSr2gxDw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcwODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/3fa7806c0b0c6f6b31f8bd442d68e9c4)

Granlund's View Edit Toon Muddy Sports Fields

Sports-themed editorial cartoons

![Don Landgren cartoon

Thumbnail Bradys 7th Super Bowl Win](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J0Lek3WIU4RU5Lg7pS5j5w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY4OTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/list_wire_usa_today_articles_325/33bace74957350b88bc7d902cab7b125)

Don Landgren cartoon Thumbnail Bradys 7th Super Bowl Win

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Sports-themed cartoons in recent history