Jim Litke: Carl Nassib’s video shatters decades-old sports barrier
All it took was an Instagram post. In a 59-second video Monday, Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib became the first active player in the NFL’s 101-year history to publicly declare he is gay and in the bargain, burst through a barrier that went unchallenged for decades. The end...
Seahawks to allow full crowds at Lumen Field next season
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks intend to have full capacity crowds at Lumen Field for the upcoming season after the team received approval from the NFL and local and state health officials to completely reopen the stadium. Fans won’t be required to be vaccinated against covid-19 to attend games, per...
First Call: NFL commissioner supports Carl Nassib; Pirates prepare for AL Central elite, must ponder Jack Leiter
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees some NFL support for former Penn State star Carl Nassib. The Pirates have to face an old nemesis, and their MLB Draft Day decision may have just gotten more difficult. Plus, former Buccos star Neil Walker has an entertaining flashback. Full support NFL commissioner Roger Goodell...
Chiefs’ Frank Clark arrested in L.A. on suspicion of having concealed gunVideo
LOS ANGELES — Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark was arrested in Los Angeles after police saw a submachine gun in his car, police said Monday. Clark, 28, was pulled over for a vehicle violation south of downtown at about 9:20 p.m. Sunday, LAPD public information officer Tony Im...
Former Penn State DE Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player who is openly gayVideo
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib on Monday became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib, who is entering his sixth NFL season and second with the Raiders, announced the news on Instagram, saying he wasn’t doing it for the attention but because he felt...
The life and death of one-time Hawaii football star Colt Brennan
He wanted to hand-deliver the card because Mother’s Day was approaching and Mom was heading out of town. So Colt Brennan joined his parents at the family home in the hills above Irvine, Calif., four months into the five-month substance-abuse treatment program that was giving back to the Brennans their...
‘Broadway’ Joe Namath eager to meet Zach Wilson, wants title for Jets fansVideo
NEW YORK — Joe Namath has heard the question for years. Decades, really. Can the Jets’ quarterback — whoever that happens to be — become the next Broadway Joe? The franchise has been on a mostly fruitless search since the Beaver Falls native last played for the Jets in 1976,...
Bills WR Cole Beasley says he would rather retire than follow NFL covid rulesVideo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley does not plan to get vaccinated against covid-19 and insists he will not follow rules jointly adopted by the NFL and NFLPA requiring unvaccinated players to stay clear of people. Tweeting in response to criticism over the last 24 hours of his...
NFL holding its inaugural General Manager Forum next week
The NFL is holding its inaugural General Manager Forum next week in an effort to increase minority hiring in front offices. The forum, named after Ozzie Newsome, will be held virtually Monday ahead of the fourth annual Quarterback Coaching Summit. There are only four Black GMs and three Black head...
Jadeveon Clowney having fun with Browns, forming bond with Myles GarrettVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Jadeveon Clowney burst out of his three-point stance, spun around a couple of tackling dummies and celebrated finishing first in a drill by thrusting his index finger in the air and letting out a loud yell. By all accounts, he is happy, healthy and hungry with the...
No hard feelings: Chiefs coach Andy Reid extends best wishes to Le’Veon Bell
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell created a social media storm last weekend with some not-so-subtle shots at Kansas City coach Andy Reid. Bell, who joined the Chiefs in 2020 on a one-year deal, posted on Instagram that he would retire rather than play for Reid...
Here’s why the Green Bay Packers should trade Aaron Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers should trade Aaron Rodgers. President Mark Murphy should stop taking public digs at the “complicated fella” playing quarterback for his franchise — as Murphy did last Thursday at an event at Lambeau Field — and start focusing on the King’s ransom he might receive in a...
Jaguars take ‘cautious’ approach with QB Trevor Lawrence’s hamstringVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars expect quarterback Trevor Lawrence to be fully cleared to practice by training camp next month. Lawrence was a limited participant as the Jaguars opened a two-day, mandatory minicamp Monday that signals the end of their offseason program. The former Clemson star and No. 1...
Mark Madden: Jenn Sterger deserves a chance with NFL Network
Jenn (Sterger) Decker is back in the news. That’s a shame because it means the problem isn’t solved. Sterger had indecent proposals and photos texted to her by Brett Favre in 2008 when both were employed by the New York Jets: Favre as a quarterback, Sterger as their game day...
Why are so many NFL players still reluctant to get vaccinated? League’s union head said it’s not because of a lack of information.
PHILADELPHIA — DeMaurice Smith pleaded ignorance Thursday when the NFL players union boss was asked on a conference call for the vaccination rate of his rank and file. “We don’t have all the information yet,” Smith claimed. “We’ll take a look and see if we have that data. We’ll get...
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson says he didn’t request tradeVideo
RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson made it clear Thursday he did not ask for a trade this offseason, and insisted his relationship with coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider has been strengthened through a series of conversations after months of uncertainty. Wilson spoke for the...
No fear returning from torn ACL for Giants running back Saquon BarkleyVideo
Saquon Barkley isn’t spending a lot of time worrying whether he will return from a major knee injury and be the same running back who gave defensive coordinators headaches preparing for the New York Giants. His status is uncertain with the start of the NFL season three months away. All...
NFL wants to hold games in Germany, seeks partner city
LONDON — The NFL wants to expand its international series by holding regular-season games in Germany, launching a process Wednesday to identify a partner city. Germany boasts a strong NFL fan base and is one of the world’s largest economies, making the country an attractive partner. The NFL has staged...
Aaron Rodgers not present as Packers open mandatory minicamp
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers wasn’t with the Green Bay Packers for their first mandatory minicamp session Tuesday, the latest chapter in the standoff between the team and its MVP quarterback. Rodgers also hadn’t participated in the Packers’ voluntary organized team activities, which represented change from his usual offseason...
Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel dies at 71
LOS ANGELES — Jim Fassel, a former coach of the New York Giants who was named NFL coach of the year in 1997 and led the team to the 2001 Super Bowl, has died. He was 71. Fassel’s son, John, confirmed the death to the Los Angeles Times on Monday....
Titans agree to deal with Falcons for Julio Jones
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee has agreed to a deal with Atlanta for seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones, allowing the Falcons to clear salary cap space while the Titans get help for Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown. Both teams confirmed the trade Sunday. The Falcons will receive...
Packers CEO says team’s fans divided on Aaron Rodgers situationVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy says he believes the uncertainty surrounding MVP Aaron Rodgers’ future has divided the team’s fan base. “The emails and letters that I’ve received reflect this fact,” Murphy said in a monthly column on the Packers’ website in which he answers...
Jaguars owner unveils plans to develop downtown Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Before Urban Meyer agreed to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars, he needed some assurances from team owner Shad Khan. Meyer wanted facility upgrades that included improved nutrition, training, recovery and treatment areas for players. The “culture of excellence,” Meyer calls it. “If it’s not the very best, it’s...
Sacked: Browns All-Pro Myles Garrett ‘retires’ from basketball
BEREA, Ohio — Myles Garrett can dump all the quarterbacks he wants. His dunking days are over. The Browns’ All-Pro defensive end, who recently posted videos on Twitter and Instagram of him dominating on the basketball court, has put his hoops game on hold. On Wednesday, Garrett, who is attending...
Colts welcome Carson Wentz with open arms as workouts wind downVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Carson Wentz spent the past two weeks working out in a whole new world. The quarterback found his way around the Indianapolis Colts complex, talked football with a different set of coaches, got acclimated to calling plays in a new huddle and started relearning coach Frank Reich’s offense....
