COVID-19 pandemic
FILE -Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This year's NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more reminiscent of old war stories. And while the stories change, each comes with unforgettably vivid detail and heartfelt emotion about a challenging two-year battle to pursue their dreams.(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
NFL draft class faced major challenges in COVID-19 battles

By Michael Marot Apr. 28, 2022 03:06 AM EDT

Bills cut Star Lotulelei after restocking defensive line

Mar. 18, 2022 01:31 PM EDT
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills released starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei on Friday in a move which frees up much-needed salary cap space at a...

Baylor defensive back Kalon Barnes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Plenty of studs, paucity of duds at NFL scouting combine

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 08, 2022 06:17 PM EST

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

FILE - Troy defensive back Blace Brown runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. This week’s stodgy, old NFL scouting combine is going Hollywood. The sound of silence will be replaced by music as players work out inside. Results and interviews will appear on the stadium’s video boards. Fans even will be encouraged to cheer. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Glitzier combine could help NFL make decision on host city

By Michael Marot Feb. 28, 2022 03:55 PM EST

NFL scouting combine loosens virus rules after blowback

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 21, 2022 06:42 PM EST
Players attending the NFL's scouting combine won't have to stay in a “bubble” as originally ordered after organizers loosened regulations Monday night after getting...

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp walks on the field during practice for an NFL Super Bowl football game Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The Rams are scheduled to play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Latest: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wins 4th MVP award

By The Associated Press Feb. 10, 2022 08:15 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

NFL to host COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Super Bowl

Jan. 25, 2022 05:06 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL is partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Super Bowl Experience, the...

Jessica Pegula of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Pegula's sports align ahead of Australian Open quarterfinals

By Bruce Matthews Jan. 23, 2022 03:22 AM EST

NFL ends daily COVID-19 testing for all players

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2022 10:07 PM EST
The NFL is curtailing daily testing of all players, vaccinated or unvaccinated, for COVID-19. In a memo sent to the 32 clubs and obtained by The...

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

FILE - This is a general overall interior view of SoFi Stadium as the Los Angeles Rams takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. A late-season surge in COVID-19 cases had the NFL in 2021 looking a lot like 2020, when the coronavirus led to significant disruptions, postponements and changing protocols. The emerging omicron variant figures to play a role all the way through the playoffs, including the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, where California has always been aggressive with policies to combat the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood

By Greg Beacham Jan. 13, 2022 05:15 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, right, grabs a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tevaughn Campbell defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Chiefs have Kelce, Hill vs Steelers this time around

By Dave Skretta Jan. 13, 2022 03:27 PM 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