Brett Favre denies claim he was paid for no-show workVideo
MILWAUKEE — Brett Favre on Friday disputed a Mississippi state auditor’s report that said the Hall of Fame quarterback received $1.1 million in welfare money for multiple speaking engagements that he didn’t actually attend. Favre told ESPN Wisconsin’s “Wilde & Tausch” radio show he instead was being paid for his...
Colts’ Philip Rivers named coach-in-waiting at Alabama high schoolVideo
FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has already lined up the first job of his post-playing career. Rivers was introduced Friday as the head coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic High School in a news conference on campus. The 16-year veteran of the Los Angeles Chargers signed a one-year...
1 law firm gets lion’s share of $112M in NFL concussion fees
PHILADELPHIA — After years of infighting over $112 million in legal fees in the NFL concussion case, a federal appeals court has approved a plan that gives nearly half the money to a single law firm. The decision Thursday grants New York-based Seeger Weiss over $51 million, more than 10...
Tom Brady’s move to Tampa Bay posed late challenges for networksVideo
Tom Brady’s move to Tampa Bay didn’t just create ripples with fans. It caused networks to drastically rework their last-minute requests with the NFL scheduling office to make sure the Buccaneers got as many high-profile dates as possible. When the NFL’s regular-season schedule was announced Thursday night, all of the...
Kicking off: Texans at Chiefs to open season Sept. 10Video
The Kansas City Chiefs will open defense of their Super Bowl championship by hosting Houston on Sept. 10 in the NFL’s annual kickoff game — pending developments in the coronavirus pandemic, of course. The Texans won a regular-season game at Arrowhead Stadium in 2019, then blew a 24-0 lead in...
Jim Harbaugh proposes one-and-done rule change for NFL draftVideo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is pushing for a change that would allow football players to enter the NFL draft after one year in college. “My first proposal is that we put this decision to `go or stay’ in the hands of the individual and his family,...
Ravens’ Earl Thomas held at gunpoint by wife after alleged affair, documents sayVideo
BALTIMORE — The lawyer for the wife of Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas said she is being subjected to an “unfounded ongoing investigation” by Texas police after she allegedly pointed a gun at her husband’s head upon finding him in bed with another woman last month. According to a police...
NFL sets protocols for reopening of team facilitiesVideo
The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by May 15. In a memo sent by commissioner Roger Goodell and obtained Wednesday night by the Associated Press, several phases of the protocols were laid out. The first phase...
Brett Favre repaying $1.1M for no-show speeches, auditor saysVideo
JACKSON, Miss. — Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre is repaying $1.1 million in welfare money that he received for multiple speeches where he did not show up, the Mississippi state auditor said Wednesday. Auditor Shad White said his office received $500,000 from Favre on Wednesday, plus a commitment Favre will...
Tagovailoa will wear No. 1 for the Dolphins, said he wouldn’t ask for Marino’s 13 to be unretired
Miami Dolphins fans eager to know what jersey number rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will wear in upcoming seasons finally have their answer. The Dolphins tweeted out a series of numbers for the team’s crop of rookies and free agents, and it disclosed the former Alabama standout Miami selected with the...
Drew Lock excited for John Elway’s endorsementVideo
At least in one sense it’s been an ideal offseason for Drew Lock. Denver Broncos GM John Elway declared the second-year passer his established starter. Then, he went out and added old hands and fast feet in the kind of offensive makeover quarterbacks ordinarily only can dream about. “I’m super...
Tight end contracts could be next to see significant riseVideo
Several tight ends in the NFL are centerpieces of the offense. Now, it’s time they get paid like it. Guys such as George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and Rob Gronkowski — before he sat out a year — are more productive than many wide receivers but make far less...
Will Patriots’ Bill Belichick overtake Don Shula for most NFL coaching wins?Video
MIAMI — The use of the adjective “winningest” in sports dates at least to the 1930s, when Don Shula was a toddler. The word came along at the right time as a superlative made for Shula, and it described him in headlines after his death Monday at age 90. Among...
Brett Favre allegedly got $1.1M in fraudulent welfare moneyVideo
JACKSON, Miss. — A nonprofit group caught up in an embezzlement scheme in Mississippi used federal welfare money to pay former NFL quarterback Brett Favre $1.1 million for multiple speaking engagements but Favre did not show up for the events, the state auditor said Monday. Details about payments to Favre...
Ravens focus on fortifying O-line after Yanda’s retirementVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In their quest to keep quarterback Lamar Jackson upright and running, the Baltimore Ravens put a priority on fortifying their offensive line after the retirement of eight-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda. It is unlikely anyone will step in at right guard with the skill, experience...
Agent: Jets, ageless Gore agree to terms on 1-year deal
NEW YORK — Running back Frank Gore has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Jets, agent Drew Rosenhaus announced. Gore, who turns 37 next Thursday, will join a Jets backfield that also includes Le’Veon Bell and fourth-round draft pick La’Mical Perine. Gore is third on...
Why are the Jets already trying to ‘lessen the load’ for Le’Veon Bell?
Should this be a concern regarding former Steeler Le’Veon Bell in New York? After just one season? The Jets are already talking about “lessening the load” for their $52.5 million running back. This despite the fact that Bell was the featured signing in New York prior to the 2019 season....
Tim Benz: Ideas for ESPN’s next docuseries after ‘The Last Dance.’ Cast your vote.
ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has been quite a hit. The 10-part documentary series on Michael Jordan and the Bulls of the 1990s is generating an incredible buzz. Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer joined me for our usual “Breakfast With Benz” hockey podcast, and we spun the conversation into...
Colts decide not to exercise 5th-year option on New Castle native Malik HookerVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have decided not to exercise their fifth-year option on starting safety Malik Hooker, which could make the New Castle native an unrestricted free agent after next season. Team officials faced a Monday afternoon deadline to extend the deal but opted against it. Hooker was Indy’s...
Carson Wentz supports Eagles drafting Jalen HurtsVideo
When Carson Wentz spoke with reporters Monday for the first time since the NFL Draft — really, the first time since he suffered a concussion in the Philadelphia Eagles’ wild-card playoff loss to Seattle, nearly three months ago — the first several questions involved the team’s decision to take quarterback...
Cowboys sign Andy Dalton, waive backup QB Cooper Rush
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys signed quarterback Andy Dalton on Monday and waived Cooper Rush, who had been the backup to Dak Prescott since the middle of the 2017 season. Dalton is guaranteed at least $3 million on the one-year deal that could be worth up to $7 million...
NFL moving London, Mexico City games back to U.S. stadiums
The NFL is moving its five games scheduled for London and Mexico City this season back to U.S. stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic. All five regular-season games will be played at the stadiums of the host teams. Scheduled were two home games for the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium...
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula dies at 90
Measuring Don Shula by wins and losses, no NFL coach had a better year. Or career. He looked the part, thanks to a jutting jaw and glare that would intimidate 150-pound sports writers and 300-pound linemen alike. He led the Miami Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history,...
First Call: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson keeps connecting with Antonio Brown
Over the weekend, Antonio Brown didn’t hide his desire to become a Baltimore Raven. He posted a picture of himself photoshopped in purple and black. Antonio Brown to the Ravens?(Via his Snapchat) pic.twitter.com/HwsF1HrXGj— Matthew Travis (@Mjtrav627) May 2, 2020 In early April, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson posted a photo of...
Browns 4th-rounder Jacob Phillips ‘going to be a starter’Video
Draft analysts and scouts expressed doubts former LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips, whom the Cleveland Browns drafted in the fourth round of last week’s draft with the No. 97 overall selection, would be a starter in the NFL. His former defensive coordinator and current Baylor coach Dave Aranda swatted those observations...
