BARRY WILNER
FILE - Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn talks during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 10, 2021. For 15 years, Aaron Glenn was an outstanding NFL cornerback, a team leader, and a coach in the making. He believes he's ready for a head-coaching gig. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Accelerator program overdue for NFL diversity. Will it help?

By Barry Wilner May. 25, 2022 03:52 PM EDT
For 15 years, Aaron Glenn was an outstanding NFL cornerback, a team leader, and a

FILE -NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a press conference following the close of the NFL owner's meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. The NFL has expanded the Rooney Rule again, this time to include quarterbacks coaches in a further effort to diversify the coaching ranks. The change was announced Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the owners meeting in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
NFL revamps Rooney Rule to include quarterbacks coaches

By Barry Wilner May. 24, 2022 11:46 AM EDT
The NFL has expanded the Rooney Rule again, this time to include quarterbacks coaches

FILE - Dr. Allen Sills, Chief Medical Officer for the NFL, speaks to reporters during the NFL football owners meeting in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Students from four Historically Black College and University medical schools will be selected for clinical rotations with NFL team medical staffs this year. “On the whole, a day would consist of a mixture of time with the athletic training staff, observing treatments and assessments and rehabilitation care,” said Sills. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
4 HBCU medical schools join NFL diversity initiative

By Barry Wilner May. 24, 2022 11:00 AM EDT
Students from four Historically Black College and University medical schools will be

FILE - Then-Miami Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Administration Dawn Aponte stands on the field after a Miami Dolphins voluntary veterans football minicamp in Davie, Fla., April 26, 2016. Even though the NFL attempted to enhance opportunities for minority candidates to become head coaches in a league whose players are 70% black, there was a disconnect. Same thing for front office positions, although more improvement had been seen in recent years in that area. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Minority GM, coach candidates invited to meet NFL owners

By Barry Wilner May. 19, 2022 02:00 PM EDT
Something wasn't working. Even though the NFL attempted to enhance

FILE - Fox Sports television sideline broadcast reporter Erin Andrews, left, interviews then-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at midfield after an NFL football game between the Patriots and the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will join Fox sports as its lead football analyst once his playing career ends, the network said on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. When that actually happens is unclear, since Brady recently renounced his announced retirement and said he plans to continue playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Analysis: NFL schedule filled with enticing matchups

By Barry Wilner May. 13, 2022 01:46 PM EDT
From Russell Wilson playing his first game as a Bronco in Seattle to Doug Pederson vs

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's voluntary minicamp Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Rams to host Bills to open NFL season; Broncos at Seattle

By Barry Wilner May. 12, 2022 06:09 PM EDT
To the Super Bowl winner goes the spoils of opening the entire schedule at home.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's voluntary minicamp Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Slime Time: Nickelodeon to broadcast Christmas Day NFL game

By Barry Wilner May. 10, 2022 11:41 AM EDT
Call it a slime-time matchup: The NFL game on Christmas Day between the Denver

Seattle Seahawks fan Wallace Watts dances during the third day of the NFL draft Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Draft Day 3: Kickers and running backs take NFL spotlight

By Barry Wilner Apr. 30, 2022 02:21 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — In Las Vegas, which bills itself as the “Entertainment Capital of

Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon, left,, hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, second from left, as former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, right, and comedian Sean Sebastian Maniscalco, second from right, look on after being selected by the Bears during the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
No punch line: Chicago comic Maniscalco announces Bears pick

By Barry Wilner Apr. 30, 2022 03:04 AM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sebastian Maniscalco got the chance to be onstage at the NFL draft

Los Angeles Rams fans cheer before the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seemed forever for QBs to go in 1st 2 rounds of NFL draft

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2022 08:09 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken

FILE - National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh (8) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. Pickett is expected to be taken in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Defense 1st, then offense, with receivers a focal point

By Barry Wilner Apr. 28, 2022 09:52 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — In an NFL draft focused early on stoppers, it was the goers — wide

In a photo provided by Marc Ganis, artist Rob Prior explains to NFL draft prospects how he creates portraits, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Las Vegas. Prior will be painting portraits through the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday night and giving lithographs to each player. (Marc Ganis via AP)
Artist to do renderings of draftees on stage at NFL draft

By Barry Wilner Apr. 27, 2022 07:53 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — When some of the first-round picks at Thursday night's NFL draft are

Kayvon Thibodeaux, left, participates in a community event ahead of the NFL draft Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Amid NFL draft uncertainty, prospects display confidence

By Barry Wilner Apr. 27, 2022 04:54 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Very little is certain heading into an NFL draft. Not that the

People look on as workers erect a stage during setup for the NFL draft Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Fountains, scubas, slot machines, Ferris wheel and NFL draft

By Barry Wilner Apr. 26, 2022 08:19 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Draft night on Thursday will include prospects walking a red carpet

FILE - Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, March 2, 2022. One player has been off limits for Vrabel when preparing for the draft with general manager Jon Robinson: his oldest son Tyler. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
31 NFL teams looking at Vrabel. No, not the Titans coach

By Barry Wilner Apr. 26, 2022 12:36 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — One player has been off-limits for Tennessee Titans coach Mike

FILE - Cincinnati defensive back Sauce Gardner participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. Gardner is expected to be taken in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Mock Draft: Look to the trenches at beginning of selections

By Barry Wilner Apr. 25, 2022 01:14 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Our head is still spinning from all the draft movement over the past

Kenny Chesney performs "Beer In Mexico" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Super Bowl visit inspires singer Chesney as tour begins

By Barry Wilner Apr. 22, 2022 03:31 AM EDT
Kenny Chesney knows all about a wall of sound. He creates one at each of his concerts

Walker Hayes performs "AA" at the CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 11, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
'Fancy Like' feels like a No. 1 draft pick to singer Hayes

By Barry Wilner Apr. 21, 2022 02:45 AM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Like most any boy growing up in Mobile, Walker Hayes' early goal in

In this photo provided by the NFL, Denver Broncos' Andrew Beck goes ice-fishing as part of an outdoor excursion with service members at Fort Greely, Alaska, as part of the 2022 NFL-USO Tour, April 7, 2022. Beck, who won the 2021 USAA Salute to Service award the NFL gives out annually, comes from a military family, so he feels a close connection to the armed forces.(NFL via AP)
USO Tour for NFLers includes ice fishing, moose sighting

By Barry Wilner Apr. 14, 2022 12:56 PM EDT
When Kenny Moore was told the USO tour he signed up for was heading to Fairbanks,

This image provided by the NFL shows former NFL player Osi Umenyiora taking 40-yard dash times during practice runs at the Uprise Camp in Nigeria, April 25, 2021. The NFL is opening a pathway for African players with a developmental camp in Ghana. It will feature players who previously participated at regional events led by Osi Umenyiora, the two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive end with the New York Giants. (Sope Isaac Kuyinu/NFL via AP)
NFL opening pathway for African players with 1st camp

By Barry Wilner Apr. 04, 2022 01:52 PM EDT
The NFL is opening a pathway for African players with a developmental camp in Ghana.