Race and ethnicity
FILE - Washington Football team players run into an empty stadium prior to the start of the Baltimore Ravens at Washington Football Team NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Landover, Md. Washington’s NFL team said Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, it will unveil its new name on Feb. 2. Team president Jason Wright confirmed that the name will not be Wolves or RedWolves. He cited trademark challenges for not going down that path that was popular among fans. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Washington to reveal new name on Feb. 2; won't be RedWolves

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2022 09:15 AM EST

FILE - Four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Al Unser, poses with the Borg-Warner Trophy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Al Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Aaron, Elder overcame hate to achieve records, milestones

By Bernie Wilson Dec. 27, 2021 03:41 PM EST

Former professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist Spencer Haywood shows an American Basketball Association glass ball with himself and his teammates depicted at his Las Vegas home Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
Fights, drugs, racial tension: '70s spelled trouble for NBA

By Eddie Pells Dec. 16, 2021 02:19 AM EST

Houston Texans head coach David Culley tosses a challenge flag in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
NFL earns higher grades for diversity hiring in study

By Aaron Beard Dec. 15, 2021 03:44 PM EST

FILE -Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen stands on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Landover, Md. Over the past 100 years, around 110 men and a handful of women have owned controlling portions of NFL teams. Of that select group, all but two have been white. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Pipeline: Cascade of white owners has slowed NFL change

By Eddie Pells Dec. 03, 2021 11:26 AM EST

Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Fallout from Jon Gruden emails leads to diversity questions

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 21, 2021 06:30 PM EDT

NFL agrees to end race-based dementia testing in proposal to settle concussion claims that have paid nearly $1 billion

Oct. 20, 2021 07:40 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — NFL agrees to end race-based dementia testing in proposal to settle concussion claims that have paid nearly $1 billion. ...

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2014, file photo, NFL lawyer Brad Karp leaves federal court after a hearing on the proposed NFL concussion settlement, in Philadelphia. Lawyers for the NFL and retired players filed proposed changes to the $1 billion concussion settlement on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, to remove race-norming in dementia testing, which made it more difficult for Black players to qualify for payments. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
NFL, players agree to end 'race-norming' in $1B settlement

By Maryclaire Dale Oct. 20, 2021 01:05 AM EDT

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke sits on the bench in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Column: Imagine what else lurks in those 650,000 emails

By Paul Newberry Oct. 15, 2021 03:53 PM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks on his headset during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
NBC's Tirico expresses disappointment in Gruden's behavior

By Joe Reedy Oct. 12, 2021 03:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2021, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden meets with the media following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Gruden is out as coach of the Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. A person familiar with the decision said Gruden is stepping down after The New York Times reported that Gruden frequently used misogynistic and homophobic language directed at Commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Chuckie chucked: Gruden's words antithetical to modern NFL

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 12, 2021 02:21 AM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks with officials during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Column: Gruden gone, and it couldn't have come fast enough

By Tim Dahlberg Oct. 12, 2021 01:32 AM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks on his headset during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Jon Gruden again says he's not a racist after Raiders loss

By Greg Beacham Oct. 10, 2021 11:12 AM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
NFL Today, Week 1

By The Associated Press Sep. 12, 2021 09:53 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Darnold, defense lead Panthers past Jets 19-14 in opener

By Steve Reed Sep. 12, 2021 04:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2021, file photo, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard runs a drill during joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at the NFL team's football training camp in Westfield, Ind. The idea behind the HBCU Open House staged annually by the NFL is simple: providing opportunities. One emphasis of the programs is making HBCU students and alumni aware of positions on the business side of the game. The vast majority of students won't be emulating Darius Leonard, the Colts' All-Pro linebacker from MEAC's South Carolina State. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
HBCUs and NFL partnering to advance football opportunities

By Barry Wilner Sep. 04, 2021 02:04 AM EDT

Green Bay Packers' wide receiver Devin Funchess runs through a practice station during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Packers WR Funchess apologizes for slur against Asians

Aug. 08, 2021 11:44 AM EDT

Steve Hutchinson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, puts his hand on his bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
The Latest: Coach Bill Cowher enters the Hall of Fame

Aug. 07, 2021 02:19 PM EDT

Judge Fred W. "Duke" Slater, seated, of University of Iowa's undefeated football team of 1921, huddles with former teammates at a luncheon honoring him on Aug, 13, 1958, at the Sherman Hotel in Chicago. Other players are, from left, Aubrey Devine, Les Belding, Bill Kelly and Glen Devine. (Chicago Tribune via AP)
Duke Slater, NFL's 1st Black lineman, is now Hall of Famer

By Steven Wine Jul. 21, 2021 03:09 AM EDT

FILE - Then-San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, in this Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, file photo. The Jacksonville Jaguars said Wednesday, July 14, 2021, that coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke were subpoenaed as part of a lawsuit filed by lawyers for Black players suing former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle for discrimination. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Jags' Meyer, Baalke subpoenaed in Iowa discrimination suit

Jul. 14, 2021 02:02 PM EDT