African-Americans
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

USA Today's Jarrett Bell wins writers' award for service

By The Associated Press May. 11, 2022 01:20 PM EDT
USA Today sports writer/columnist Jarrett Bell has won the Bill Nunn Jr. Award for journalistic contributions while covering pro football. Bell, who...

FILE - The National Football League logo appears on the 50 yard line for NFL Super Bowl 56 in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The NFL is telling a judge there are multiple reasons why a lawsuit brought against it by three Black coaches who allege racist hiring practices should fail. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Flores lawyer: Unconscionable for Goodell to arbitrate suit

By Larry Neumeister May. 02, 2022 01:14 PM EDT

Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders speaks to the fans prior to the Jackson State's Blue and White Spring football game, an NCAA college football contest, Sunday, April 24, 2022, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Deion Sanders highlights HBCU prospects ahead of NFL draft

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 25, 2022 09:01 AM EDT

FILE - The National Football League logo appears on the 50 yard line for NFL Super Bowl 56 in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The NFL is telling a judge there are multiple reasons why a lawsuit brought against it by three Black coaches who allege racist hiring practices should fail. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
NFL gives defense against Black coaches' discrimination suit

By Larry Neumeister Apr. 21, 2022 04:29 PM EDT

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from reporters, at a press conference after the close of the NFL owner's meeting, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Attorneys General warn NFL to improve treatment of women

Apr. 06, 2022 01:23 PM EDT

New England Patriots football team head coach Bill Belichick answers questions from journalists at a coaches press availability during the NFL owner's meeting, Monday, March 28, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
NFL makes adjustments to Rooney Rule to aid minority hiring

By Barry Wilner Mar. 28, 2022 12:14 PM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores talks to the media before an NFL football practice at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL alleging racist hiring practices. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP, File)
Brian Flores wants lawsuit against NFL heard in court

By The Associated Press Mar. 09, 2022 03:02 PM EST

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton reacts to a play during an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
Study: Percentage of Black college coaches remains low

By Steve Reed Mar. 03, 2022 03:13 PM EST

FILE- Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, on Oct. 31, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. 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/Adrian Kraus, File)
Flores hired to Steelers staff; lawsuit against NFL proceeds

By Will Graves Feb. 19, 2022 02:08 PM EST

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Goodell, civil rights leaders discuss diversity in hiring

Feb. 17, 2022 09:50 PM EST

NFL hires former Attorney General Lynch in Flores lawsuit

Feb. 16, 2022 05:32 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has hired a law firm that includes former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to defend it and its teams in Brian Flores' race discrimination...

FILE - Comedian and media mogul Byron Allen poses for photo Sept. 5, 2019, in Los Angeles. Allen says the NFL needs him to join the ownership group. Allen is preparing a bid to purchase the Denver Broncos and become the NFL’s first Black owner. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Byron Allen says the NFL needs him to be an owner

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 11, 2022 05:19 PM EST

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores talks to the media before an NFL football practice at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL alleging racist hiring practices. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP, File)
Black NFL coaches lament hiring policies that fall short

By Will Graves Feb. 11, 2022 04:29 AM EST

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Analysis: Diversity needed at all levels of pro football

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2022 02:36 AM EST

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Column: Goodell's Super Bowl show a familiar one

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 09, 2022 07:06 PM EST

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is seen before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media at a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Goodell says league won’t tolerate racism or discrimination

By Barry Wilner Feb. 09, 2022 05:45 PM EST

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Fired Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and three of its teams Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 saying racist hiring practices by the league have left it racially segregated and managed like a plantation. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Goodell, civil rights leaders meet over Rooney Rule

By Barry Wilner Feb. 07, 2022 07:55 PM EST

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Fired Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and three of its teams Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 saying racist hiring practices by the league have left it racially segregated and managed like a plantation. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Pro Bowl players echo concerns brought by Flores' lawsuit

By Greg Beacham Feb. 05, 2022 08:50 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 03, 2022 10:57 AM EST
Body Feb. 4 1861 — The Philadelphia Athletics beat Charter Oak 36-27 in a baseball game played on frozen Litchfield Pond in Brooklyn, N.Y...