FitzMagic runs out: 39-year-old journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick retiring
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The FitzMagic has run out. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is retiring, he confirmed to The Associated Press in a text message on Friday, ending a career that spanned 17 seasons and nine teams and made him one of the NFL’s most colorful and beloved journeymen. It was a...
Longtime NFL running back Frank Gore signs 1-day contract to retire with 49ersVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Frank Gore signed a one-day contract with the San Francisco 49ers and announced his retirement from the NFL. Gore spent the first 10 years of his 16-year career with the 49ers and returned to end his career as one of the most prolific runners in league...
Tom Brady on his decision to play: ‘55 percent yes, 45 percent no’
TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady said Wednesday that he felt some pressure right before the start of free agency to end his retirement. The Bucs faced the prospect of losing several key players, and with them, his best chance to win another Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. Brady, who turns...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans pounce on Doug Whaley’s Jack Ham comments; Pirates fans rip roster; reader backs Jacob Trouba hits
Despite a good week out west, fans are still piling on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Criticism of Jacob Trouba’s hits have hockey fans in a snit. And someone was critical of a Super Stiller from the 1970s. Perhaps the ultimate Pittsburgh sin. All that and more in this week’s “U mad,...
Former Cowboys running back Marion Barber found dead in Texas apartment
DALLAS — Marion Barber, a punishing staple in the Dallas Cowboys backfield for six seasons, was found dead Wednesday at his Frisco home. Frisco police said officers were asked to perform a welfare check at an apartment believed to be leased by Barber and that there was an “unattended death”...
Browns sign TE David Njoku to 4-year contract extension
BEREA, Ohio — David Njoku has gone from wanting out of the Cleveland Browns to locking in with them. Cleveland announced Njoku’s four-year, $56.75 million contract extension on Wednesday, a deal that could take the tight end through the 2027 season. A first-round draft pick in 2017, Njoku will be...
First Call: Ex-Steelers RB looking for work; red-hot Starling Marte part of viral video moment
Wednesday’s “First Call” checks in on an ex-Steeler who needs a new place to play. A former Pitt Panther has his eyes on the NBA. Starling Marte is on fire with the New York Mets. And a free agent some Steelers fans wanted is heading down south. On the open...
Browns QB Watson facing lawsuit from 23rd massage therapistVideo
CLEVELAND — Another massage therapist has filed a civil lawsuit against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, raising the number of women who have accused him of sexual misconduct to 23. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing all the women, filed the latest lawsuit Tuesday in Texas and said in a...
Longtime partner suing former Washington QB Mark Rypien
SPOKANE, Wash. — The former longtime partner of ex-NFL quarterback Mark Rypien has filed a personal injury lawsuit against him alleging years of physical and emotional abuse. The Spokesman-Review reported that Danielle Wade filed the lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court. The couple have spoken publicly in the past about...
First Call: Aaron Donald doesn’t ‘need to play football to be fine’; Jacob Trouba takes out another skater
Pitt Panthers great Aaron Donald continues to leave his future up in the air. A pair of former Pirates exchange big blows at the plate in New York. Jacob Trouba is at it again for the New York Rangers. And a one-time Penguin has a new job with another former...
2020 1st-round NFL Draft pick Jeff Gladney dies in crash
DALLAS — Jeff Gladney, a defensive back for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, died Monday in a car crash in Dallas. He was 25. Gladney’s death was confirmed by the Cardinals and his agent. “We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing. Our hearts go out to his family, friends...
Josh McDaniels mum on Colin Kaepernick’s workout for RaidersVideo
LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders concluded organized team practices Thursday with all four quarterbacks on the roster participating, but the buzz surrounding the franchise was about Colin Kaepernick, who has gotten a workout with the club. First-year coach Josh McDaniels wasn’t entertaining any conversation about Kaepernick’s potential future...
Colin Kaepernick to work out for Raiders
Colin Kaepernick is getting his first chance to work out for an NFL team since last playing in the league in 2016 when he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Two people familiar with the situation said Kaepernick will work out for the...
NFL revamps Rooney Rule to include quarterbacks coachesVideo
The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule again, this time to include quarterbacks coaches in a further effort to diversify the coaching ranks. The change was announced Tuesday at the owners’ meeting in Atlanta by Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. The oft-criticized Rooney...
Watson accuser felt ‘scared’ and threatened by Browns QBVideo
CLEVELAND — One of the women accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct while she gave him a massage felt “scared” and threatened by a comment he made following a therapy session. Appearing on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” Ashley Solis, who is among 22 women who...
QB Nick Foles reunites with Frank Reich, signs with Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — Nick Foles is reuniting with Frank Reich. That combination helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the 2017 NFL title. Reich now is head coach of Indianapolis, and the Colts signed free agent quarterback Foles on Monday to back up Matt Ryan. The Colts traded with Atlanta for Ryan earlier...
Jadeveon Clowney re-signing with Browns for 2022 season
CLEVELAND — Jadeveon Clowney’s running it back with Myles Garrett and the Browns. The free agent defensive end, who revived his career last season with Cleveland, agreed Sunday to re-sign with the team for 2022, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. Clowney, who had nine sacks...
AP source: Browns’ Deshaun Watson to meet with NFL officials
CLEVELAND — NFL officials will meet this week with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as the league continues to investigate whether he violated its personal-conduct policy, a person familiar with the plans told the Associated Press on Monday. Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits from massage therapists accusing him...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Tom Brady deal a waste of money
In 22 years of playing football, Tom Brady has made $300 million. Brady just signed a 10-year contract with Fox Sports to be their lead NFL analyst upon his retirement from football. He’ll make $375 million. That’s quite a disparity even when accounting for inflation and gas prices. Fox is...
Girlfriend of Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy asks for case against him to be dismissedVideo
DENVER — The girlfriend of Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy asked a judge on Friday to dismiss a misdemeanor case against him stemming from a dispute between them. The woman, who has a one-month-old child with Jeudy, told Judge Chantel Contiguglia that she did not feel threatened during the...
Analysis: Amazon Prime Video gets solid 1st slate from NFL
A defensive coordinator trying to put together a game plan to stop Justin Herbert or Patrick Mahomes has an easier task than the NFL trying to put together the schedule for Thursday Night Football. There’s trying to put together intriguing matchups, only four teams can play multiple Thursday games, and...
Rams to host Bills to open NFL season; Broncos at Seattle
To the Super Bowl winner goes the spoils of opening the entire schedule at home. So the Los Angeles Rams will host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, Sept. 8, to begin the 2022 season. It’s a juicy matchup of the team generally considered the title favorite by oddsmakers in...
Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy arrested in connection with domestic violence investigation
Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy was arrested Thursday in Arapahoe County in connection with a domestic violence investigation. Jeudy was booked into the jail on Thursday for investigation of “second-degree criminal tampering with a domestic violence enhancer, a misdemeanor”, according to the sheriff’s office. He is currently being held without bond....
Kicker’s lawsuit could shed light on Meyer’s time with Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Placekicker Josh Lambo’s lawsuit against the Jacksonville Jaguars could uncover more details about former coach Urban Meyer’s tumultuous NFL tenure. Lambo’s attorney is seeking a host of records pertaining to Meyer’s time with the team, including “any documentation whatsoever of abusive or toxic workplace behavior under Meyer’s...
Tom Brady to join Fox Sports when playing career ends
NEW YORK — Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will join Fox Sports as its lead football analyst once his playing career ends, the network said Tuesday. When that actually happens is unclear, because Brady recently changed his mind about retiring and said he plans to continue playing for the...
