Recreation and leisure
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 - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his touchdown with fans during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are betting on betting. The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with Bally's that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As as part of the agreement, Bally's will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Column: Draft cements the marriage of Las Vegas and NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Apr. 27, 2022 01:23 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his touchdown with fans during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are betting on betting. The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with Bally's that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As as part of the agreement, Bally's will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns team with gaming giant Bally's as betting partner

By Tom Withers Apr. 26, 2022 12:34 PM EDT

Attorney: Cowboys player in SUV from which man was shot

Apr. 15, 2022 06:05 PM EDT
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph was riding in a sport utility vehicle from which a man was fatally shot about two months ago, Joseph's attorney...

Football Hall of Fame announces inaugural excellence awards

Mar. 21, 2022 08:11 PM EDT
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The late Broncos offensive line coach Alex Gibbs and longtime NFL public relations steward Joe Browne are among the inaugural winners of the Pro...

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices with the team during NFL football practice, Aug. 2, 2021, in Houston. Watson's complicated past didn't dissuade the Cleveland Browns from betting on the quarterback's future. He's on Cleveland's roster, and at this point that's the only certainty with the talented yet controversial QB. Watson's stunning trade to the Browns became official Sunday, March 20, 2022 capping a whirlwind few days during in which the three-time Pro Bowler — accused by 22 women of sexual harassment or assault — agreed to come to Cleveland after initially telling the team he wouldn't. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Deshaun Watson trade done, Browns defend decision to add QB

By Tom Withers Mar. 20, 2022 12:03 PM EDT

Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates while cutting the net after an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won the Pac-12 Conference Championship. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hoop hype: March Madness brackets get America talking again

By Eddie Pells Mar. 15, 2022 10:59 AM EDT

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

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch during the team's NFL training camp football practice Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Column: 1 betting rule remains sacrosanct in the NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Mar. 08, 2022 02:14 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons WR Ridley suspended for '22 for bets on NFL games

By Charles Odum Mar. 07, 2022 03:53 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games

Mar. 07, 2022 03:43 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games. ...

Hall of Fame inductions moving from prime time to afternoon

Mar. 07, 2022 11:37 AM EST
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are moving from prime time to Saturday afternoon in August. The enshrinement on...

Los Angeles Rams players celebrate at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum following the team's victory parade in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. The Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Rams fans cheer Super Bowl champs at LA victory parade

By Christopher Weber Feb. 16, 2022 03:44 PM EST

A man places a bet at the sportsbook at the Ocean Casino Resort, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Atlantic City, N.J. The American Gaming Association estimates more than 31 million Americans will bet on this year's Super Bowl NFL football game. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
States report heavy betting on this year's Super Bowl

By Wayne Parry Feb. 15, 2022 01:20 PM EST

This combination of photos shows, from left, Lil Baby, Justin Bieber, Drake, Miley Cyrus and Blake Shelton, who are among the performers playing shows ahead of the Super Bowl between Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo)
Miley Cyrus, Green Day span decades in pre-Super Bowl show

By Andrew Dalton Feb. 13, 2022 04:36 AM EST

Daymond John attends Shaq's Fun House on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)
Shaq's 'Fun House' draws big crowd with Lil Wayne headlining

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Feb. 12, 2022 07:57 PM EST

Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams receives the NFL Man of the Year Award at the NFL Honors show Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NFL Players gather for greater good at Payton event

By Andrew Destin Feb. 12, 2022 02:33 AM EST

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs from Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38) after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Kupp, Higgins, Stafford are key player props for Super Bowl

By Matt Kupferle Feb. 09, 2022 02:07 PM EST

New Orleans Saints new head coach Dennis Allen speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in Metairie, La. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Saints' Allen foreshadows continuity, but with his own spin

By Brett Martel Feb. 08, 2022 07:29 PM EST