Patriots’ Julian Edelman, NFL’s ultimate underdog, announces retirementVideo
BOSTON — For more than a decade, Julian Edelman lived the ultimate NFL underdog story, going from undersized college quarterback to a favorite option of Tom Brady on three Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning teams. He says he’ll leave the league after giving everything he had to the sport. Citing a knee...
Ex-Chiefs coach Britt Reid charged with DUI after crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid was charged Monday with driving while intoxicated resulting in serious physical injury after a crash that left a 5-year-old girl critically injured. The Jackson County prosecutor’s office said Reid’s blood alcohol content shortly after the Feb. 4 crash...
AP source: Browns still putting rush on Jadeveon Clowney
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns remain in active pursuit of defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Monday. The free agent visited the team last month and could do so again. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity...
Column: Love for QBs not named Trevor Lawrence in draft a bit too strongVideo
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent and the best player in this NFL Draft. That’s why Urban Meyer took the Jacksonville job, and that’s why the Jaguars are drafting Lawrence No. 1 overall April 29, no questions asked. But after Lawrence, the best players in this draft are...
Adams said to have spurned NFL, union health programs
The NFL and its players’ union have an array of health programs designed to help players in their life after football. According to his agent, Phillip Adams did not avail himself of those opportunities. Adams, a journeyman player, spent six seasons in the league. Authorities say he fatally shot five...
Judge orders one accuser of Texans QB Deshaun Watson to be ID’d
HOUSTON — A judge on Friday ordered that the name of one of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment must be made public. Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has asked that all the women, who have sued under the...
Authorities: NFL player Phillip Adams killed 5, then himself
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Former NFL player Phillip Adams fatally shot five people, including a prominent doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren before killing himself early Thursday. York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told a news conference that investigators had not yet determined a motive for Wednesday’s mass shooting. “There’s...
Nike suspends Deshaun Watson sponsorship amid allegations
Nike suspended its endorsement contract with Deshaun Watson amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the Houston Texans quarterback. “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson,” Nike said in a statement released Wednesday. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation.” Watson has...
Jets send QB Sam Darnold to Panthers for 3 draft picksVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Jets traded quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, ending a stint that was marked by a few flashes of brilliance, inconsistent play and unfortunate injuries. And with the Jets holding the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, they’re likely moving on...
NFL’s move to 17 games could alter record books
The NFL could finally see its first 2,000-yard receiver. The 5,000-yard passing club might be ready to induct a few more members with Peyton Manning’s single-season record of 5,477 yards possibly in jeopardy. The accomplishment of 1,000-yard seasons rushing or receiving will become more common and a little more devalued....
NFL considering changing onside kick and overtime rulesVideo
NEW YORK — The NFL is considering a rule change that would allow teams to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play for an onside kickoff attempt. The proposal submitted by the Philadelphia Eagles is among 11 that will be voted on at the...
April Fools’ Day: Tom Brady, Funko, Peeps get in on the ha-ha holidayVideo
Pranks and jokes, welcome back. April 1 is here and it’s time again. April Fools’ Day. Let’s see who got in on the action, from a GOAT to Peeps. Brady brings back Expos Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is bringing back an old MLB franchise. He’s going to be...
Browns’ Malik Jackson: Jadeveon Clowney could ‘hop on’ Super Bowl contender
CLEVELAND — When he hit free agency, Malik Jackson had a short list of teams with whom the veteran defensive tackle would consider signing. All of them had to fit one requirement. They had to be a Super Bowl contender. The Cleveland Browns were a match. Jackson, who signed a...
WR Tyler Lockett stays with Seahawks on 4-year dealVideo
SEATTLE — Tyler Lockett is sticking around with the Seattle Seahawks, and likely as Russell Wilson’s favorite target, for the foreseeable future. The Seahawks and Lockett agreed to a four-year contract extension that includes $37 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to...
NFL planning to remove restrictions for vaccinated personnel
The NFL has plans to eliminate some restrictions from its current covid-19 protocols for vaccinated players, coaches and personnel. In a memo sent to the 32 teams Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league detailed potential amendments to the protocols used throughout the 2020 season and current offseason....
NFL owners approve 17-game regular season, 3 preseason games
The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games and planning to have full stadiums for those games. While reducing the preseason to three games, the league will be able to generate additional revenue, of course. America’s most popular sport also will provide more content for the broadcast partners...
New mock NFL draft predicts 2 Penn State players going in top 10
The latest mock draft from NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella includes two Penn State players being selected in the top 10 — something that hasn’t happened in more than 20 years. The new draft, posted Monday on Sports Illustrated’s web site, puts linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive end Jayson...
Highmark Inc. purchases naming rights to Buffalo Bills’ stadium
Pittsburgh is no longer the only city with a Highmark Stadium. The Buffalo Bills’ home is also called Highmark Stadium. The team made it official with a formal announcement Tuesday morning. Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, a newly rebranded health insurer, has purchased the naming rights for what...
What’s ahead? NFL owners to meet about upcoming seasonVideo
What’s ahead for the NFL in 2021? Not even the teams know. They will begin finding out this week when the 32 team owners hold virtual meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. Two items top the agenda: increasing the regular season to 17 games and decreasing preseason games to three per team....
Ex-Browns coach Hue Jackson says team lied about rebuildVideo
CLEVELAND — Former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson said owner Jimmy Haslam gave him a contract extension midway through a winless 2017 season, and he was lied to from the start about the team’s rebuilding plans. During a wide-ranging radio interview Monday with ESPN 850, Jackson said the Browns’ efforts...
AP source: 49ers trade up for No. 3 pick from Dolphins
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have made a big move to grab their quarterback of the future by trading up with Miami for the No. 3 pick in next month’s draft. Two people familiar with the deal say the Niners are trading their No. 12 pick along...
Son of former Steeler Ryan Switzer going to Boston hospital for care
CLEVELAND — Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is being transferred to a Boston hospital specializing in rare children’s illnesses. Switzer provided an update Wednesday with a live video on his Instagram account from his son Christian’s hospital room at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina....
Lower cap leads to more cuts than usual in NFL
If it seemed as if NFL teams have been shedding contracts nearly as fast as signing them in recent weeks that’s because it’s almost true. With a shrinking salary cap in a sport with few contracts that are fully guaranteed, teams have spent the weeks leading up to free agency...
Former Penn State standout Donovan Smith reportedly cashes in with new contract
Former Penn State left tackle Donovan Smith has had a good couple of months. In February, he won Super Bowl XLV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And Wednesday, he reportedly agreed to a lucrative contract extension to continue to protect Tom Brady’s blindside. Smith and the Bucs agreed to a...
Jameis Winston eager for chance to succeed Drew Brees with Saints
NEW ORLEANS — Jameis Winston describes the prospect of taking over for retired, record-setting New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees as something that comes with a “tremendous amount of responsibility.” It’s also something Winston eager to do, albeit in his own way. “You be the best version of yourself,” Winston...
