Disease outbreaks
FILE - A video message reminds fans to wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, in Seattle. The NFL has suspended all aspects of its COVID-19 protocols, citing recent trends showing that the spread of the coronavirus is declining. In an agreement with the players' association, the league sent a memo to the 32 teams Thursday, March 3, 2022, in which it mentioned “encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the evolving guidance from the CDC, changes to state law and the counsel of our respective experts” as reasons for the move.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
NFL suspends all COVID protocols, cites 'encouraging trends'

By Barry Wilner Mar. 03, 2022 12:31 PM EST

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, at podium, speaks as Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, in red, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer listen during a news conference near SoFi Stadium, site of the NFL football Super Bowl later this month, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
ATP Challenger Cleveland, USA Men Singles

Feb. 02, 2022 07:57 PM EST

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti wears a mask as he listens to fellow speakers at a news conference near SoFi Stadium, site of the NFL football Super Bowl later this month, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Officials urge mask-wearing for fans attending Super Bowl

By Michael R. Blood Feb. 02, 2022 07:23 PM EST

FILE - Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving looks up at the fans at TD Garden after they defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 4 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Boston, in this Sunday, May 30, 2021. Athletes have been put at center court of arguments over COVID vaccines. The NFL's Aaron Rodgers, the NBA's Kyrie Irving, and tennis's Novak Djokovic, have each become cultural touchstones in the cultural controversy. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics 5/30/2021

Jan. 14, 2022 09:39 AM EST

FILE - Protesters rallying against COVID-19 vaccination mandates and in support of basketball player Kyrie Irving gather in the street outside the Barclays Center before an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in New York. From the NBA's Kyrie Irving missing the first months of the Brooklyn Nets' season before making a partial return, to the NFL's Aaron Rodgers going from revered veteran to polarizing figure, to a diplomatic standoff over tennis star Novak Djokovic's exemption to play in the Australian Open, sports figures have found themselves cheered and jeered as the most famous faces in fights over vaccine mandates and refusals. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets 10/24/2021

Jan. 14, 2022 09:39 AM EST

FILE - Fans of Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic react outside Federal Court ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Athletes have been put at center court of arguments over COVID vaccines. The NFL's Aaron Rodgers, the NBA's Kyrie Irving, and tennis's Novak Djokovic, have each become cultural touchstones in the cultural controversy. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)
Australian Open Men Singles

Jan. 14, 2022 09:39 AM EST

FILE - Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices on Margaret Court Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Athletes have been put at center court of arguments over COVID vaccines. The NFL's Aaron Rodgers, the NBA's Kyrie Irving, and tennis's Novak Djokovic, have each become cultural touchstones in the cultural controversy. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Australian Open Men Singles

Jan. 14, 2022 09:39 AM EST

FILE - People walk by a Nike advertisement featuring Colin Kaepernick on display, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in New York. While sports have always been indivisible from politics and public conflicts, there has been a major ground shift in the years since Michael Jordan made public neutrality on all non-sports issues an essential part of his brand. Now, there is almost an expectation of advocacy, especially with the precedent set by Colin Kaepernick's protests and the embrace by many of the Black Lives Matter cause. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
In vaccination battles, pro athletes become proxy players

By Andrew Dalton Jan. 14, 2022 09:37 AM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) scores a touchdown in front of Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Browns place Pro Bowl corner Ward on COVID-19 reserve list

By The Associated Press Jan. 08, 2022 12:35 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes between Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bears place quarterback Fields on reserve/COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jan. 06, 2022 02:21 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) celebrates a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Parsons, Mixon latest stars added to COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jan. 05, 2022 05:54 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens' Josh Johnson (15) looks to throw against Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson (91) during the fist half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Hendrickson, 3 other Bengals starters placed on COVID list

By The Associated Press Jan. 04, 2022 07:02 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) talks to teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. Tretter, the NFL Players Association president who has been pushing for daily COVID-19 testing all season, said he tested positive for the virus on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
NFL's 2nd season of COVID just as trying as 1st, maybe more

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 04, 2022 05:53 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles' Dallas Goedert, right, makes a catch while Washington Football Team's Jeremy Reaves defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Eagles put 12 on COVID-19 list with playoff spot in hand

By The Associated Press Jan. 03, 2022 05:42 PM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints 1/2/2022

Jan. 02, 2022 04:55 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) is tripped up by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colts activate QB Carson Wentz from COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jan. 01, 2022 02:43 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Rams won 30-23. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings lose Cousins to COVID list before game vs. Packers

By Dave Campbell Dec. 31, 2021 11:50 AM EST

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) celebrates along with teammates Kenny Moore II (23) and Khari Willis after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Colts' Leonard off virus list, ready to face Raiders

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 01:53 PM EST

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, left, celebrates with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Allen was filling for Sean Payton as head coach after Payton was diagnosed with Covid-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Saints' Hill, Davis, 9 others are back, Williams to reserve

Dec. 29, 2021 08:20 PM EST

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh works the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Saleh rejoins Jets after clearing COVID-19 protocols

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 29, 2021 12:02 PM EST