Roger Goodell
FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Analysis: After draft, some obstacles ahead for NFL in 2021

By Barry Wilner May. 03, 2021 03:37 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer after Tampa Bay picked Kyle Trask, from Florida, in the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
The Latest: Broncos end 3rd round with Ohio State's Browning

By The Associated Press Apr. 30, 2021 05:47 PM EDT

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd as the first round of the NFL football draft finishes early Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Betting millions on QBs who can turn clubs around on a dime

By Jim Litke Apr. 30, 2021 03:53 AM EDT

Cleveland Browns fans wait for the team to make its first round pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns chose Northwestern cornerback Greg Nerwsome II. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Browns select Northwestern CB Greg Newsome in first round

By Tom Withers Apr. 29, 2021 11:46 PM EDT

Images of Alabama running back Najee Harris are displayed after the Pittsburgh Steelers made him the 25th pick in the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Steelers turn to Alabama star Harris to jump-start run game

By Will Graves Apr. 29, 2021 11:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 file photo, Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) reaches in on Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. With Oregon's Penei Sewell likely to be long gone, two other heralded tackles could be available to the Vikings at No. 14: Northwestern's Rashawn Slater and Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw. Slater has a random connection to Minnesota: His father, Reggie Slater, played in the NBA for the Timberwolves in parts of two seasons.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Indianapolis Colts add pass rusher Kwity Paye of Michigan

By Michael Marot Apr. 29, 2021 11:13 PM EDT

Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II greets fans after he was chosen by the Denver Broncos with the ninth pick during the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
NFL draft: No suspense as 3 QBs dominate early picks

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2021 09:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence greets fans as he arrives for the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Clemson, S.C. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Jaguars open NFL draft, Meyer era by drafting Lawrence

By Mark Long Apr. 29, 2021 08:29 PM EDT

FILE - Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, file photo. Toney is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
The Latest: SEC, Alabama dominate first round of NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 29, 2021 06:59 PM EDT

Workers continue preparing the NFL Draft Theatre for the 2021 NFL Draft, Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Cleveland. After going all virtual in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-day draft, which has grown into one of America's biggest, non-game sporting events, returns with thousands of fans who will be separated by their loyalties, and whether they've been vaccinated. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Networks realize draft drama without frills sometimes best

By Joe Reedy Apr. 28, 2021 07:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2021, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talks during a ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla. The NFL is modifying COVID-19 protocols for all personnel who have been fully vaccinated. In a memo sent by Commissioner Roger Goodell to the 32 clubs Friday, April 23, 2021, and obtained by The Associated Press, he cited the “advice of our medical and scientific experts” for the agreement to modify protocols to ”reflect the reduced risk of infection and transmission for fully vaccinated individuals." (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Column: Will draft make your team better? Don't bet on it.

By Tim Dahlberg Apr. 27, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

Joseph Toliver, 4, plays on one of the 32 NFL team helmets on display, Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in downtown Cleveland. Forced to cancel last year's NFL Draft in Las Vegas, the league is using lessons learned while plowing through an unprecedented, socially-distanced 2020 season and holding the Super Bow in Tampa, to have a draft that will look much more like normal — well, the new normal — with fans wearing their favorite team's colors and required masks.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Hello, Cleveland: NFL takes 'blended' draft back on road

By Tom Withers Apr. 27, 2021 02:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2021, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talks during a ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla. The NFL is modifying COVID-19 protocols for all personnel who have been fully vaccinated. In a memo sent by Commissioner Roger Goodell to the 32 clubs Friday, April 23, 2021, and obtained by The Associated Press, he cited the “advice of our medical and scientific experts” for the agreement to modify protocols to ”reflect the reduced risk of infection and transmission for fully vaccinated individuals." (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL modifies COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated people

By Barry Wilner Apr. 23, 2021 02:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Andre Odom joined Athletes First as an agent two years ago and later this month two of his clients — Kyle Pitts and Micah Parsons — could be picked in the top 10 of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Andre Odom went from scouting players to representing them

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 20, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

FILE - Machine Gun Kelly performs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, file photo. Grammy Award nominated rock & soul duo Black Pumas and Cleveland's own Machine Gun Kelly will perform at next week's NFL draft. The league announced its musical acts for the second and third days of the draft, which is back on the road after being all virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)
Black Pumas, Machine Gun Kelly to perform at NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2021 02:23 PM EDT

FILE - Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks off the field after NFL football practice in Renton, Wash., in this Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, file photo. During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless style on the field, while remaining one of the league’s most reclusive figures off the field. Now the retired running back is lending his voice to try to help members of Black and Hispanic communities make more informed decisions about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Lynch released a 30-minute interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on his YouTube channel Friday, April 16, 2021, becoming the latest prominent athlete to sit down with him to discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. continues to combat the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Marshawn Lynch, Dr. Fauci discuss vaccine hesitancy

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

NFL reprises Draft-a-Thon to raise money for pandemic relief

Apr. 15, 2021 09:01 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is bringing back the Draft-a-Thon that raised money last year for charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. ...

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2010 file photo, members of the band Kings of Leon, from left, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill, pose for a portrait in New York. Rockers Kings of Leon will help kick off NFL draft activities on a stage close to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this month. The Grammy Award-winning band will open the festivities on April 29, 2021 with a concert as the draft returns to a more normal state after being held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Victoria Will, File)
Rockers Kings of Leon to perform on first night of NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 14, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland. NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their union wants them to boycott any in-person OTAs. Last year, teams were forced to do everything online until training camps opened in August, and NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter has been advocating for a repeat of last year's offseason, arguing that the adjustments caused by the coronavirus showed the arduous offseason programs were unnecessary.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players call for virtual offseason, shun in-person work

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 13, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 file photo, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still debating whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and believes the decision be left to personal choice. Allen shared his views Wednesday, April 7, 2021 during an hour-long interview on The Ringer podcast hosted by Kyle Brandt, when asked about the NFL electing not mandate its players to be vaccinated. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Bills' Allen: vaccine decision should be personal choice

By John Wawrow Apr. 07, 2021 08:03 PM EDT