African-Americans
FILE - In this May 2, 2014, file photo, Bobby Mitchell is introduced before the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Mitchell, the speedy late 1950s and ’60s NFL offensive star for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, has died. He was 84. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said Sunday night, April 5, 2020, that Mitchell’s family said he died in the afternoon. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell dies at 84

By Stephen Whyno 20 hrs ago

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, in Berea, Ohio. Berry returned to the team after a one-year stint in the Philadelphia Eagles' front office. Berry was the Browns' vice president of player personnel from 2016-18. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Welcome back: Berry returns to Browns as NFL's youngest GM

By Tom Withers Feb. 05, 2020 04:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, meets former Green Bay Packers player Willie Wood, on Capitol Hill in Washington, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on legal issues relating to football head injuries. Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Wood, captain of the 1959 USC football team who played in the first 2 Super Bowls, died today, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 of natural causes in Washington, D.C. He was 83.(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Willie Wood, Packers great and Hall of Fame DB, dies at 83

By Beth Harris Feb. 03, 2020 10:12 PM EST

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers a question during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Goodell: Diversity in coach/executive hirings must improve

By Barry Wilner Jan. 29, 2020 03:30 PM EST

Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns NFL football team, answers questions at a news conference introducing new head coach Kevin Stefanski at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Berry returns to Browns as NFL's youngest general manager

By Tom Withers Jan. 28, 2020 09:58 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2018 file photo, Allison and Bertrum Jean pose as they hold a portrait of their late son Botham Shem Jean at their home in Castries, St. Lucia. A public service announcement honoring the life of Jean, who was killed in his living room by Amber Guyger, a white Dallas police officer who said she mistook his apartment as her own, will air during the Super Bowl next month to highlight the impact of police violence, the family's lawyer said. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File)
NFL initiative yields PSA on man killed by Dallas officer

Jan. 23, 2020 06:01 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, right, and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott get together following an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. The Bills won 17-10. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Column: Black coaching hires still at dismal level in NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Jan. 08, 2020 02:36 AM EST

FILE - This March 31, 1963, file photo showing Boston Celtics' John Havlicek going to the basket against Cincinnati Royals Bob Booser (13) and Hub Reed in the fourth period of a semifinal playoff at Boston Garden in Boston. Havlicek, whose steal of Hal Green's inbounds pass in the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference finals against the Philadelphia 76ers remains one of the most famous plays in NBA history, died April 25, 2019. He was 79. (AP Photo/Frank C. Curtin, File)
Sports losses in 2019: Newcombe, Robinson, Starr, Havlicek

By Fred Lief Dec. 29, 2019 11:26 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2009, file photo, Peter Fonda, poses atop a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Glendale, Calif. Fonda, the son of a Hollywood legend who became a movie star in his own right both writing and starring in counterculture classics like "Easy Rider," has died. His family says in a statement that Fonda died Aug. 16, 2019, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 79. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 23, 2019 10:13 AM EST

FILE - In this May 15, 2019, file photo, Juice WRLD performs in concert during his "Death Race for Love Tour" at The Skyline Stage at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The Chicago-area rapper, whose real name is Jarad A. Higgins, was pronounced dead Dec. 8 after a "medical emergency'' at Chicago's Midway International Airport, according to authorities. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 16, 2019 12:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 1984, file photo, Los Angeles Raiders' Matt Millen gestures as he celebrates with teammate Reggie Kinlaw following the Raiders' 38-9 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa. (AP Photo/File)
NFL at 100: Montana, Rice and 49ers rule the 1980s

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Nov. 01, 2019 12:37 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
NFL earns lowest score for racial, gender hiring in 15 years

By Steve Reed Oct. 30, 2019 02:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 1971, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' John Fuqua (33) is brought down Kansas City Chiefs' Willie Lanier after a 3-yard game during an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. Lanier was one of the first black middle linebackers in pro football, breaking a barrier that kept minorities from playing the position regarded as the "quarterback of the defense." Lanier was a key part of the Kansas City defense that dominated the AFL and won a Super Bowl following the 1969 season. (AP Photo/William Straeter, File)
NFL reveals top game changers, Nos. 31-100

By Josh Dubow Oct. 25, 2019 10:00 PM EDT

Correction: Black 14 Reunion story

Sep. 13, 2019 10:22 AM EDT
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — In a story Sept. 13 about the University of Wyoming honoring black athletes kicked off the football team, The Associated Press reported...

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2017, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warms up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif. Colin Kaepernick wants to play in the NFL, even if he has to compete to get on the field. A source close to Kaepernick told The Associated Press on Friday: “Colin has always been prepared to compete at the highest level and is in the best shape of his life.” Kaepernick released a video earlier this week saying: “5 a.m. 5 days a week. For 3 years. Still Ready.” (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Column: Jay-Z sells out Kaepernick, grabs big money from NFL

By Paul Newberry Aug. 15, 2019 04:03 PM EDT

This undated product image obtained by the Associated Press shows Nike Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July shoes that have a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle on it, known as the Betsy Ross flag, on them. Nike is pulling the flag-themed tennis shoe after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained to the shoemaker, according to the Wall Street Journal. (AP Photo)
Kaepernick stirs new controversy for Nike

By Alexandra Olson Jul. 02, 2019 09:47 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 28, 2019, file photo, Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones shoots over the Indiana Fever defense during a WNBA basketball game, in Uncasville, Conn. Led by Jones, the Sun (8-1) have won their last six games and have started to put a little distance between themselves and the rest of the league. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP, File)
Study: NBA earns overall A grade in diversity hiring

By Aaron Beard Jun. 18, 2019 03:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 file photo, Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Houston Texans have abruptly fired general manager Brian Gaine less than 18 months after he took the job. The team announced the move Friday, June 7, 2019 with a statement from team owner Cal McNair, who said only that “while the timing may be unusual, this decision was made in the best interest of the organization in our quest to build a championship team.” (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Ex-Texans security coordinator alleges firing discrimination

Jun. 13, 2019 04:43 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten taps Vikings' Kevin Warren as new commissioner

By Andrew Seligman Jun. 04, 2019 12:11 PM EDT

CORRECTS DATELINE TO SALT LAKE CITY INSTEAD OF KEARNS, UTAH - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) waves to the crowd as he leaves the court following an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Mitchell, Jazz back Westbrook, say Utah won't condone racism

By Tim Reynolds Mar. 12, 2019 07:13 PM EDT