COVID-19 pandemic
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (97) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. After opting out of the 2020 season due to health concerns around COVID-19, Michael Pierce has returned to the Minnesota Vikings, eager to establish himself at a nose tackle position in need of help. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Vikes' Pierce had regrets about opt-out, but made most of it

By Dave Campbell 11 hrs ago

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 12 hrs ago

UW Whitewater lineman Quinn Meinerz runs at the school's pro football day Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Whitewater, Wisc. The only FCS teams hosting pro days this year were Central Arkansas, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater held one only because its Senior Bowl revelation, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, warranted another look after his team did not play in the fall. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Pandemic making NFL draft's small school gems harder to find

By Eric Olson 16 hrs ago

NFL’s revised offseason program includes mandatory minicamp

By Rob Maaddi 16 hrs ago
The NFL’s revised offseason program still includes a post-draft rookie minicamp, voluntary workouts and a mandatory minicamp next month despite the union’s...

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 Oct. 17, 2010 file photo, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams (35) sits on the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco. A source briefed on a mass killing in South Carolina says the gunman who killed multiple people, including a prominent doctor, was the former NFL pro. The source said that Adams shot himself to death early Thursday, April 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
Adams, NFL veteran who killed 5, known as quiet, troubled

By The Associated Press Apr. 08, 2021 05:00 PM EDT

FILE - Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill guards his net with empty seats behind him during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, Calif., in this Friday, April 2, 2021, file photo. While the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are moving to relax virus protocols when a vast majority of a team’s players, coaches and staff are vaccinated, the NHL finds itself in an uncomfortable position. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
NHL grapples with vaccine inequity between U.S. and Canada

By Stephen Whyno And Larry Lage Apr. 08, 2021 03:37 PM EDT

York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson listens as a 911 call is played during a press conference on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in York, S.C. where he addressed the mass shooting by former NFL football player Phillip Adams. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Authorities: NFL player Phillip Adams killed 5, then himself

By Michelle Liu And Meg Kinnard Apr. 08, 2021 10:48 AM 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

Baylor guard Mark Vital, right, tries to steal the ball from Houston guard DeJon Jarreau (3) during the first half of a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Bearing down: Baylor routs Houston 78-59 to reach title game

By Dave Skretta Apr. 03, 2021 07:26 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, left, address the audience with linebackers Lavonte David, center, and Devin White during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. When Jason Licht declared he was going to do everything he could to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together, no one envisioned the process going as smoothly as it has for the Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Bucs GM says winning culture helped keep SB roster together

By Fred Goodall Apr. 02, 2021 06:13 PM EDT

Eagles turn stadium into vaccine site for autism community

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 02, 2021 06:03 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have a new coach, a new starting quarterback and new use for their stadium. The organization...

Falcons set to play home game in London if pandemic allows

Apr. 01, 2021 07:40 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are set to host a home game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as part of the NFL's expanded schedule this...

FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Kraft: Spending spree response to 7-9 record, not Brady win

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 31, 2021 06:06 PM EDT

FILE - Commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, file photo. The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games, as expected, and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL planning to remove restrictions for vaccinated personnel

By Barry Wilner Mar. 31, 2021 01:54 PM EDT

FILE - Commissioner Roger Goodell gestures during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, file photo. The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games, as expected, and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Analysis: More games, more money, more flexibility for NFL

By Barry Wilner Mar. 31, 2021 03:07 AM 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. NFL owners will vote next week on a measure allowing Goodell and the finance committee to increase league-level debt to cover pandemic-related losses, sources said. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
What's ahead? NFL owners to meet about upcoming season

By Barry Wilner Mar. 29, 2021 04:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2021, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette sprints to the end zone to score on a 27-yard touchdown run during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL football Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers moved closer to a goal of retaining all 22 starters from their Super Bowl victory, agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract to bring free agent running back Fournette back for next season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
AP source: Fournette agrees to 1-year deal to stay with Bucs

By Fred Goodall Mar. 26, 2021 06:04 PM EDT

Bears sign former Chiefs RB Williams to 1-year contract

Mar. 26, 2021 04:29 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back and Super Bowl 54 star Damien Williams to a one-year contract on...

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 file photo, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) looks on during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Browns are taking another run at Jadeveon Clowney. The free agent defensive end visited Cleveland on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 reviving a courtship that began last year before the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 signed with the Tennessee Titans. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sides couldn't meet last year.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Clowney a Brownie? Free agent edge rusher visits Cleveland

By Tom Withers Mar. 24, 2021 05:38 PM EDT