PAUL NEWBERRY
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) celebrates with teammate Victor Hedman (77) after knocking the Toronto Maple Leafs out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in Toronto, Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Column: Maple Leafs now at 55 years since last championship

By Paul Newberry May. 16, 2022 03:01 PM EDT
As soon as the NHL expanded to more than six teams, and television sets started

FILE - Wales' Dan Biggar, second right, tackles South Africa's S'Busiso Nkosi during the Rugby World Cup semifinal at International Yokohama Stadium between Wales and South Africa in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. The United States has landed another World Cup. The Rugby World Cup, in 2031. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

By Paul Newberry May. 13, 2022 04:12 PM EDT
The United States has landed another World Cup. Before you start

FILE - New Jersey Generals Herschel Walker, center, carries the ball for a first down past General's Bryan Millard, left, and Los Angeles Express' Dennis Edwards during the first quarter of an USFL game in Los Angeles on March 6, 1983. The original USFL was a league that made a whole lot of sense, only to be undone by the greed and hubris of owners such as former President Donald Trump, who saw the fledgling organization as a conduit to the NFL. (AP Photo/File)
Column: Spring football league's time has come ... and gone

By Paul Newberry May. 06, 2022 05:22 PM EDT
Pro football in the springtime. An idea that once had so much promise.

Atlanta Falcons first-round NFL football draft pick Drake London, center, a wide receiver from USC, holds up his jersey with general manager Terry Fontenot, left, and head coach Arthur Smith, right, at the team's practice facility Friday, April 29, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Falcons release RB Mike Davis after disappointing season

By Paul Newberry May. 02, 2022 04:01 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — After a disappointing season with his hometown team, running back Mike

FILE - The Toronto Raptors play the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in New York. Madison Square Garden won't host the NIT semifinals and championship game the next two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision — ending a college basketball tradition that dates to 1938. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night, March 23, 2022, because no public announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Column: NIT joins other sports tradition in fading away

By Paul Newberry Apr. 01, 2022 04:41 PM EDT
With all eyes focused on the Final Four, it's doubtful that many noticed the passing

Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning the men's 50 freestyle during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, June 20, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. The next U.S. Olympic swimming team will be determined in a football stadium. USA Swimming announced Tuesday, March 29, 2022 that its trials for the 2024 Paris Games will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium, the massive home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)
Indy lands 2024 US Olympic swim trials, ending Omaha's run

By Paul Newberry Mar. 29, 2022 11:17 AM EDT
The next U.S. Olympic swimming team will be decided in a football stadium.

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday Oct 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Indianapolis Colts acquired quarterback Matt Ryan in a trade Monday, March 21, 2022, with the Atlanta Falcons, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Mariota eager to live up to expectations as Falcons new QB

By Paul Newberry Mar. 25, 2022 07:03 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Marcus Mariota has already addressed the most immediate issue with his

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Falcons head into strange new world after dealing Matt Ryan

By Paul Newberry Mar. 23, 2022 02:04 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — For the first time since 2008, the Atlanta Falcons will be breaking in

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman speaks during an introductory news conference at spring training baseball, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Gut punch for the A-T-L: Freeman, Ryan both depart

By Paul Newberry Mar. 22, 2022 01:42 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — It was a 1-2 punch to the gut for Atlanta's sports fans.

All-purpose star Cordarrelle Patterson re-signs with Falcons

By Paul Newberry Mar. 19, 2022 05:02 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons addressed one of their biggest offseason

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, to serve as a senior defensive assistant. The hiring comes less than three weeks after Flores sued the NFL and three teams over alleged racist hiring practices following his dismissal by Miami in January. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Column: National Hypocrisy League shows true colors again

By Paul Newberry Mar. 11, 2022 06:05 PM EST
The National Hypocrisy League strikes again. The organization better

FILE - Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves adjusts his headset at the start of play against the Detroit Lions at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. Reeves, who won a Super Bowl as a player with the Dallas Cowboys but was best known for a long coaching career highlighted by four more appearances in the title game with the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)
Former Broncos, Falcons, Giants coach Dan Reeves dies at 77

By Paul Newberry Jan. 01, 2022 09:41 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Dan Reeves' talents off the field were recognized early on by Tom

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly gestures to fans after his arrival at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. Kelly, formerly of Notre Dame, is said to have agreed to a 10-year contract with LSU worth $95 million plus incentives. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST
We had hoped the Newby Awards could return to a bit of normalcy this year.

An ice resurfacer prepares the rink before an NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers announced that eight players will not play due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Column: Sports let their guard down, COVID makes a comeback

By Paul Newberry Dec. 17, 2021 02:05 PM EST
When you saw the packed stadiums and arenas, when you knew that nearly all athletes

Former Georgia All-American Charley Trippi celebrates his 100th birthday at his home in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Trippi played for Georgia in the 1940s, his college career interrupted by a stint in the military during World War II. (Tony Walsh/UGA Athletic Association via AP)
Column: Charley Trippi's amazing life hits the century mark

By Paul Newberry Dec. 14, 2021 04:42 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — If you think today's hybrid NFL players are something special, check

FILE - Houston Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas stands with his parents, Bobby Thomas, right, and Katina Smith, prior to the team's NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver. Thomas, who eared five straight Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring during a prolific receiving career spent mostly with the Broncos, has died at the age of 33. Thomas was found dead in his suburban Atlanta home Thursday night, Dec. 9, 2021, said Officer Tim Lupo, public information officer for the police department in Roswell, Ga. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ Demaryius Thomas dies at 33

By Paul Newberry Dec. 10, 2021 01:00 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Demaryius Thomas overcame a troubled childhood. He managed to shine as

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith speaks with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Home, not sweet home: Falcons keep losing in A-T-L

By Paul Newberry Dec. 06, 2021 01:52 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Home is not-so sweet for the Atlanta Falcons. If they

Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea (50) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dynamic duo: Brady, Gronk lead Bucs past Falcons 30-17

By Paul Newberry Dec. 05, 2021 04:16 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski teamed up for more history Sunday.

FILE - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Claude Humphrey poses in August 1970. Humphrey, a Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude and one of the NFL's most fearsome pass rushers during the 1970s with the Falcons, died unexpectedly in Atlanta on Friday night, Dec. 3, 2021, according to the Hall of Fame, which was informed of his death by his daughter. He was 77. (AP Photo/File)
Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey dies as age 77

By Paul Newberry Dec. 04, 2021 12:32 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey, one of the NFL's

FILE - Seattle Mariners gather as the MLB logo is shown during a review of an attempted catch by right fielder Mitch Haniger of a ball hit by Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi that was originally called an out during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 18, 2021, in Seattle. The call was overturned. The Mariners won 5-1. The clock ticked down toward the expiration of Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement at 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday night, Dec. 1, 2021, and what was likely to be a management lockout ending the sport’s labor peace at over 26 1/2 years. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Column: Baseball can't afford another extended labor dispute

By Paul Newberry Dec. 03, 2021 05:10 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball's last labor dispute was devastating, but the comeback