Beyond the Glory

Many know Evander Holyfield as the former heavyweight champion who lost a portion of his ear in a boxing ring when Mike Tyson bit him. But as this Sunday's episode of Beyond The Glory conveys, it was just one of many memorable nights in the life of one of the greatest pugilists to ever enter the squared circle. While the documentary chronicles his significant moments inside the ring, the events that transpired outside are woven throughout and show what personal tragedies and exploits were affecting Holyfield. Born in Atmore, Ala., a farming community near the Florida panhandle, Holyfield was the youngest of eight siblings. He was six when his mother Annie moved the family to Summerhill, a southeastern suburb of Atlanta, where she raised them all by herself. Evander never knew his father for his parents never wed. He has a brother who was convicted of rape, another brother who was shot to death, lost his mother in a car accident in 1996 and is the father of nine children, five out of we

A profile of Reggie White, one of the NFL's top pass rushers ever, examines his career at the University of Tennessee and his religious faith. Included: comments from former teammates Brett Favre and Keith Jackson, coach Buddy Ryan, broadcaster Al Michaels and family members.

Though quite at home on a basketball court, the seemingly invincible Alonzo Mourning has faced hs share of challenges off the court. As this episode chromicles, Mourning's success has certainly come at a price. Despite the fame and fortune he's achieved, Mourning's journey has neither been easy nor without pain. Born in Chesapeake, Virgina in 1970, Mourning quickly outgrew both his clothes and his classmates, often making him the object of ridicule. An unhappy child, Mourning saw his parents divorce when he was 11. As a result, his first court battle took place not on a basketball court, but in custody court. The judge gave Alonzo the option of living with either one of his parents, but Mourning shocked everyone by opting to be placed in the state's foster care system instead. After bouncing around the system, mainly at various boys' homes to his dismay, Mourning eventually ended up at the home of Fannie Threet. Threet was known around Chesapeake as the Queen Mother. Mourning was just

Billed as half-man, half amazing, Toronto Raptors all-star Vince Carter has always been an incredibly gifted athlete, whose high-flying heroics on the basketball court have been a sight to see. While playing high school basketball in his hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida; His school had to set up closed-circuit telecasts in the cafeteria to handle the overflow crowds in the gym when he played. By the time his high school basketball career was over, he'd led his team to the state championship and was being heralded as ""Mr. Florida."" However, as Carter ascended, things around him were falling. A troubled brother, an agent who betrayed him, a conflict with his famous cousin and controversy surrounding his college graduation, have all left their mark on ""Air Canada's"" wounded wings. While Carter was becomming more famous, his younger brother, Chris, was becoming infamous. While Carter chose to further his career by attending the University of North Carolina, Chris chose to quit attending

Gary Sheffield grew up in the Belmont Heights projects in Tampa, Florida. It was a tough, neglected neighborhood where violence was common and opportunities were scarce. Though it was apparent that Sheffield was capable of being a special kind of ballplayer, his infamous temper was becoming a threat to others as well as himself. It was his grandfather Dan Gooden who instilled in Gary a love for the game of baseball, and it was his uncle Dwight Gooden who taught Sheffield how to play the game. But each stop among the way for Sheffield produced mixed results for both he and his teams. In this episode, we chronicle his life including his temper, his penchant for women, the time he was shot, the death threat on his mother's life and his frustrations with the teams he played his 14-year career. Currently a member of the Atlanta Braves after a trade in the offseason, Sheffield has donned jerseys of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins (where he won a World Series ring), San Diego Padres

National Football League Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was a free spirit who made his own rules and broke the rest. But, after years of living on the edge, Taylor fell over — brought down by cocaine and alcohol. His troubles were fodder for a hungry media, and as TV cameras rolled, the man known as L.T. hit rock bottom. His reckless, aggressive style literally transformed not only the linebacker position, but also the way defense in general is played. But to many, Taylor's off-the-field notoriety overshadowed his gridiron accomplishments and brought disgrace to his legend and the game at which he excelled. This Sunday's episode of Beyond the Glory traces the steps that Taylor took in his life and how his activities on and off the field affected those around him. From his upbringing in Williamsburg, Virginia, his college career at the University of North Carolina, his 13-year NFL career that included an MVP season capped off with a Super Bowl victory, to his current life in retirement

Despite growing up in a household with a famous father [Ned] who made his name racing cars, Dale Jarrett certainly didn't have anything handed to him despite his father's connections in NASCAR. There have been several bumps in his road to the top of Winston Cup racing and this Sunday's episode of Beyond the Glory takes to the track to uncover them. As a child growing up in Hickory, N.C., Jarrett found success in everything he tried. Crediting the leadership role he saw in his dad, Jarrett excelled in all sports including baseball, football, golf and basketball. It was this take-charge attitude and the respect he commanded that served him well in most of his endeavors. However, he was not free of trouble. During his senior year in high school, Jarrett learned his longtime girlfriend Kim was pregnant. They married and Kim gave birth three months premature. This was the first of many tough decisions Jarrett would have to make over the years. He declined a scholarship to play golf at Unive

Some may wonder why someone as young as Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, 23, would have enough of a story at this juncture to dedicate to an hour documentary. But, that's precisely what makes this profile of Bryant compelling — his age, the problems it created with teammates and coaches as well as Byrant's willingness, despite being a high profile public figure, to guard his private life. Bryant's childhood was far from that of the average kid. Growing up the son of a NBA player, Bryant spent the first six years of his life in Philadelphia. But, when his father, Joe ""Jelly Bean"" Bryant signed a deal to play in the Italian League, Kobe and the family moved to Italy. This was the first time in his life that he had to adapt to a different environment, but it wouldn't be the last. For the next seven years, Bryant immersed himself into the new culture and language and in his favorite activity — playing basketball. After getting comfortable though, the Bryants were on the move aga

A grizzled veteran of NASCAR's major leagues, Rusty Wallace has earned more than $34 million dollars behind the wheel of a Winston Cup car. The competitive fire that stoked the early years of his nearly quarter-century career burns as brightly today as it did when his two-race rookie season (1980) produced a second-place finish and another top 10 showing. Beyond The Glory examines the life of this racing legend. From his roots in suburban St. Louis, where he and brothers Kenny and Mike cut their racing teeth in a legendary sports town — for everything but racing, that is — to success on the Winston Cup and Busch Series tours. It was Rusty, however, the most celebrated of the band of brothers, who claimed the ‘89 Winston Cup points championship in the third-most closely contested finish in history — a 12-point win over NASCAR legend, the late Dale Earnhardt. Perhaps the Wallace brothers had no choice but to take up racing in the midst of St. Louis' ""stick and ball sports"" mindset. Their

A profile of baseball's Chipper Jones, who helped the Braves become world champions in 1995 and was named NL MVP in 1999.

Basketball's Hakeem Olajuwon is profiled. The shot-blocking center led the Rockets to NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history during the league's 50th-anniversary season. In college, he helped the Houston Cougars to three straight Final Four appearances.

A profile of boxer Lennox Lewis. Included: his upbringing in Canada, Jamaica and England; his gold-medal victory at the 1988 Olympics; and his win over Mike Tyson in June 2002. Also: comments from trainers Emanuel Steward and Arnie Boehm, and family members.

A profile of Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, who earned the moniker The Wizard for his fabulous defensive play. Included: his youth in Los Angeles; his career with the Padres and Cardinals; and comments from Eddie Murray, Tony Gwynn, family members and managers Alvin Dark and Whitey Herzog. Narrator: D.B. Sweeney.

A profile of Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, who earned the moniker The Wizard for his fabulous defensive play. Included: his youth in Los Angeles; his career with the Padres and Cardinals; and comments from Eddie Murray, Tony Gwynn, family members and managers Alvin Dark and Whitey Herzog. Narrator: D.B. Sweeney.

A profile of wide receiver Michael Irvin, who helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. Irvin was named to five Pro Bowls during his 12-year NFL career from 1988 to 1999.

Life has always seemed to be a struggle for two-time Super Bowl champion running back Terrell Davis. From a rough and tough upbringing to a college career that was far from smooth and successful. So when he made it to the top as a running back with the Denver Broncos, there seemed to be nothing that could slow him down or force him to walk away. Born in San Diego, Davis had the physique to play football even at a young age. However, his first setback came when he suffered a dislocated shoulder midway into his senior season at Lincoln High School, making him virtually invisible to college recruiters from major programs. He accepted a scholarship from Long Beach State in Southern California, but he did so as much to further his education as his football career. His career at Long Beach State was barely underway in 1990 when the school announced it was folding the program. What was initially devastating news, turned out to be an opportunity of a lifetime. He transferred to the University

A profile of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, from his childhood in Pennsylvania to his career with the Miami Hurricanes and Buffalo Bills. Those commenting include teammates Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Steve Tasker; coaches Marv Levy and Howard Schnellenberger; and family members.

A profile of wide receiver Jerry Rice, who was named NFL Player of the Year in 1987 and 1990, and was selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.

A profile of quarterback Kordell Stewart ranges from his formative years in Louisiana to his gridiron play for the Colorado Buffaloes and Pittsburgh Steelers. Included: interviews with former teammates and coaches.

A profile of hockey's Brett Hull encompasses his tempestuous early home life, his play in the shadow of his legendary father Bobby, and his NHL career with the Flames, Blues, Stars and Red Wings. Included are comments from Bobby, former teammate Wayne Gretzky and coaches Mike Keenan and Terry Crisp.