First time events
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper stands with Wallaroos captain Shannon Parry ahead of the final vote for the hosting of the Rugby World Cups in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, May 12, 2022. World Rugby will announce the host nations for the men's and women's World Cups for the period 2025-2033 with Australia heavily favored to host the men's 2027 and women's tournaments in 2029. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
US to host men's and women's Rugby World Cups for first time

By Steve Douglas May. 12, 2022 01:58 PM EDT

FILE - Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Dallas Cowboys could be looking at their offensive line with their first pick in the NFL draft at No. 24. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Chargers take offensive lineman Zion Johnson in first round

By Joe Reedy Apr. 28, 2022 10:25 PM EDT

Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Troy Reeder, left, pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) into throwing a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by David Long Jr. during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Murray's first playoff start a nightmare for Cardinals

By Joe Reedy Jan. 18, 2022 02:05 AM EST

Seahawks' Duane Brown set to face former team for first time

By Tim Booth Dec. 09, 2021 06:50 PM EST
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Since being traded to Seattle in the middle of the 2017 season, offensive tackle Duane Brown hasn’t spent much time dwelling on his days with...

Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) dives for a touchdown as New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) attempts to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Broncos above .500 for first time in more than 1,000 days

By Arnie Stapleton Sep. 13, 2021 04:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug 21. 2021, file photo, New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall (37) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (8) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Green Bay, Wis. After surprisingly cutting Bless Austin last week, New York will have second-year cornerback Bryce Hall at one starting spot with first-year head coach Robert Saleh keeping the other starter close to the vest. The candidates include second-year defensive back Javelin Guidry and rookies Jason Pinnock (fifth-round pick), Michael Carter II (fifth-rounder), Brandin Echols (sixth-rounder) and Isaiah Dunn (undrafted). (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
Jets' young cornerbacks to get first big test vs. Panthers

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 10, 2021 04:02 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Jadeveon Clowney participates in a drill during an NFL football practice at the team training facility, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Beckham back, Clowney on field for first time at Browns camp

By Tom Withers Jun. 15, 2021 06:21 PM EDT

FILE - Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) breaks free from a Missouri defender as he runs a pass pattern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Pitts is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NFL draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 11:38 PM EDT

FILE - BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) celebrates an overtime win against Tennessee with fans in an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, file photo. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
NFL Draft: Players selected in the first round

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 29, 2021 09:05 PM EDT

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris (25) runs after making an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Harris in unfamiliar situation facing Broncos for first time

Dan Greenspan Dec. 23, 2020 05:58 PM EST

NFL assembles all-Black officiating crew for first time

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 17, 2020 12:08 PM EST
The NFL will have an all-Black officiating crew for the first time in league history when the Rams play the Buccaneers on Monday night. ...

New England Patriots' Rex Burkhead, left, signals a touchdown as quarterback Cam Newton scores during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Jets blow lead, fall to 0-9 for first time in team history

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Nov. 10, 2020 01:34 AM EST

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, right, fakes a handoff to Saquon Barkley during the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Giants scrimmage for first time under new coach Joe Judge

By Tom Canavan Aug. 21, 2020 05:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, right, is greeted by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at the end of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. As athletes and sports organizations around the world speak out against racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Drew Brees drew sharp criticism after he reiterated his opposition to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron, File)
Saints' Brees takes first step toward mending relationships

By Brett Martel Jun. 04, 2020 07:48 PM EDT

Eagles try to beat Russell Wilson, Seahawks for first time

By The Associated Press Jan. 02, 2020 03:30 PM EST
SEATTLE (11-5) at PHILADELPHIA (9-7) Sunday, 4:40 p.m. EST, NBC OPENING LINE — Eagles by 1 RECORD...

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington to face Rodgers in first December trip to Lambeau

By Keith Jenkins Dec. 05, 2019 07:01 PM EST

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after he recovered a ball fumbled by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oh, brother: J.J., Derek Watt face each other for first time

By Joe Reedy Sep. 18, 2019 09:18 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs with the ball as Cardinals offensive tackle Korey Cunningham (79) puts a block on Cardinals defensive tackle Darius Philon, middle, during an NFL football training camp practice at State Farm Stadium Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kyler Murray's first game action tops 1st preseason weekend

By The Associated Press Aug. 07, 2019 05:37 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Ndamukong Suh runs a drill during an NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ndamukong Suh practices with Buccaneers for first time

By Fred Goodall Jun. 04, 2019 06:56 PM EDT

Simon Pagenaud, of France, winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 auto race, poses during the traditional winners photo session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Monday, May 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
NBC's first-ever Indy 500 delivers 11% ratings increase

By The Associated Press May. 27, 2019 09:26 PM EDT