Immunizations
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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) beats Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) and cornerback Taron Johnson (24) on a 13-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
COVID-19 issues continue in NFL; Colts, Panthers hit hard

By Steve Reed Dec. 27, 2021 01:56 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle James Hudson III reacts after a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Hudson was added to the Browns' COVID-19 list Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
NFL medical officer: Asymptomatic people not spreading COVID

Dec. 23, 2021 09:42 PM EST

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh leaves the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Saleh, Sirianni test positive for COVID-19, Stefanski back

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 22, 2021 11:40 AM 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)
Tyreek Hill among 21 NFL players added to COVID-19 list

By Dave Skretta Dec. 21, 2021 04:53 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns punter Jamie Gillan looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. The Browns placed Gillan and starting linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. on the reserve-COVID-19 list on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in advance of Sunday's key matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, file)
NFL could become trend-setter for COVID-19 testing policies

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 21, 2021 02:02 AM EST

This is a 2021 photo of Bill Lazor of the Chicago Bears NFL football team. This image reflects the Chicago Bears active roster as of Friday, April 16, 2021 when this image was taken. The Chicago Bears could be without all three of their coordinators, including Lazor, when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. (AP Photo)
AP Source: Several asymptomatic NFL players test positive

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 20, 2021 02:45 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and will likely miss Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders as Cleveland deals with a widespread outbreak during its playoff pursuit. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL reduces testing for asymptomatic vaccinated players

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 18, 2021 03:58 PM EST

An ice resurfacer prepares the rink before an NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers announced that eight players will not play due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Column: Sports let their guard down, COVID makes a comeback

By Paul Newberry Dec. 17, 2021 02:05 PM EST

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
NFL updates protocols in response to COVID-19 cases

By Barry Wilner Dec. 16, 2021 02:19 PM EST

FILE -New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston wears a face mask on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. U.S. sports leagues are seeing rapidly increasing COVID-19 outbreaks with dozens of players in health and safety protocols, amid an ongoing surge by the delta variant of the coronavirus and rising cases of the highly transmissible omicron mutation. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
US sports leagues cope with COVID-19 outbreaks amid variants

By Erica Hunzinger Dec. 15, 2021 08:00 PM EST

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference a news conference at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. NFL team owners voted unanimously to award Super Bowl LVIII, scheduled for Feb. 11, 2024, to Las Vegas during a meeting Wednesday morning in Dallas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
AP Source: NFL plans changes to COVID-19 protocols

By Rob Maaddi And Schuyler Dixon Dec. 15, 2021 02:47 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Chiefs place DT Chris Jones in COVID-19 protocol

By Dave Skretta Dec. 14, 2021 01:15 PM EST

Carolyn Burnett wipes away tears as she sorts through mementos to select items to commemorate her son Chris Burnett on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Olathe, Kan. Chris Burnett, an unvaccinated 34-year-old father who coached football at Olathe East High School, died in September as a result of COVID-19 after nearly two weeks on a ventilator. ​(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
COVID toll hits 800,000 to close out year filled with death

By Heather Hollingsworth Dec. 14, 2021 09:18 AM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Column: Teams cautious as big names land on NFL's virus list

By Arnie Stapleton Dec. 14, 2021 02:30 AM EST

FILE - Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll walks on the field before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, on Dec. 5, 2021, in Seattle. NFL, which reports 94.4% of players are fully vaccinated, has not yet made COVID-19 booster shots part of its protocol. Carroll said the Seahawks scheduled a booster day for players, coaches and staff this week. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
NFL requiring coaches, team staff to get COVID-19 boosters

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 13, 2021 09:53 PM EST