Social issues
Bucs CB Davis apologizes for tweeting anti-Asian slur

By Fred Goodall Apr. 05, 2021 04:39 PM EDT
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis has apologized for tweeting an anti-Asian slur, saying he didn’t understand the offensive...

Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Women’s History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group via AP)
AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity

By Ragan Clark Mar. 29, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. A 14th woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment. The claims in the latest suit, which was filed late Monday, March 22, 2021, in a Harris County state district court, are similar to those in the earlier cases. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
Lawyer: Texans QB's assault suits followed blackmail attempt

By Juan A. Lozano Mar. 23, 2021 11:52 AM EDT

Gambler pleads guilty to threatening Tampa Bay Rays players

Mar. 10, 2021 05:10 PM EST
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A sports gambler faces up to five years in federal prison for threatening social media messages sent to players with the Tampa Bay Rays. ...

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport (44) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, file photo. A federal judge on Monday, March 8, 2021, dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. Davenport was denied an award but would have qualified had they been white, according to their lawsuit. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Judge tosses suit over 'race-norming' in NFL dementia tests

By Maryclaire Dale Mar. 08, 2021 11:49 AM EST

FILE - Washington Football Team cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. The Washington Football Team will not have cheerleaders for the 2021 season as part of an organizational rebranding. Washington hired Petra Pope, who managed the "Laker Girls" and brings three decades of NBA experience as an adviser to take on the task of reinventing the group.(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Washington replacing cheerleading team with coed dance team

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 11:25 AM EST

Kellen Winslow II appears via video at his sentencing hearing at the Superior Court North County Division on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Vista, Calif. Winslow was sentenced to 14 years in prison on rape and other charges. (Eduardo Contreras/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool)
Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow II gets 14 years for rapes

By Julie Watson Mar. 03, 2021 12:03 AM EST

Commissioner Roger Goodell talks about the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Ex-Washington employees ask NFL to release report findings

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 25, 2021 05:18 PM EST

Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow II faces 14 years for assaults

Feb. 19, 2021 08:55 PM EST
VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II agreed Friday to accept a 14-year prison sentence for raping a homeless woman and assaulting two...

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Column: Meyer should know by now he's not in college anymore

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 15, 2021 03:06 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Jaguars split with accused racist strength coach Chris Doyle

Feb. 12, 2021 05:17 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a news conference announcing his retirement in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, file photo. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet in place. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Jags' Meyer defends hiring ex-Iowa coach accused of racism

By Mark Long Feb. 11, 2021 12:11 PM EST

This undated photo provided by the United States Coast Guard shows a U.S. Coast Guard cutter named for Emlen Tunnell, docked in Bollinger Shipyard, in Lockport, La. Tunnell, the first Black player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, served in the Coast Guard during and after World War II, where he was credited with saving the lives of two shipmates in separate incidents. Now, a Coast Guard cutter and an athletic building on the Coast Guard Academy campus are being named in honor of the former New York Giants defensive back. (United States Coast Guard via AP)
Coast Guard honors Black veteran, NFL great Emlen Tunnell

By Pat Eaton-Robb Feb. 06, 2021 08:26 AM EST

Executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith speaks during a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LV, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts via AP)
NFL players continue fighting for social justice, diversity

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 04, 2021 08:25 PM EST

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
Goodell: Many lessons NFL learned in 2020 will carry forward

By Rob Maaddi And Barry Wilner Feb. 04, 2021 03:44 PM EST

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
The Latest: Goodell: NFL will look at rules for coach hiring

By The Associated Press Feb. 04, 2021 02:14 PM EST

This photo provided by the NFL shows singer The Weekend speaking at the halftime press conference ahead of the Super Bowl 55 football game, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
The Weeknd vows to tone it down for his Super Bowl show

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. Feb. 04, 2021 12:31 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, hugs head coach Raheem Morris before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Atlanta Falcons owner donating $17M to civil rights museum

Feb. 04, 2021 11:27 AM EST

Blue skies and favorable weather greets the thousands of fans attending the festivities at Curtis Hixon Park during the NFL's Super Bowl 55 Experience on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Tampa. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Officials: no Super Bowl threat amid rise of white supremacy

By Curt Anderson Feb. 03, 2021 03:30 PM EST

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Bieniemy doesn't ask to be 'poster boy' for Black coaches

By Josh Dubow Feb. 02, 2021 02:07 PM EST