Former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien facing assault charge
SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Super Bowl hero Mark Rypien has been arrested in Washington state on suspicion of domestic violence. The Spokesman-Review cites Spokane police saying Rypien was facing a charge of fourth-degree assault. Rypien, 56, was processed at the Spokane County Jail at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday and was...
‘Huddle Up’ part 5: Chris Long talks Pearl Jam, U.Va. hoops and Twitter
Former NFL defensive lineman Chris Long explains his connection with Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, who his favorite account to follow on Twitter is and how he ended up on the cover of Sports Illustrated after the Virginia men’s basketball team’s national championship during Part 5 of this week’s “Huddle...
Bills’ Shaq Lawson to pay for 11-year-old shooting victim’s funeral
ANDERSON, S.C. — Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson says he will pay for the funeral of an 11-year-old South Carolina girl who died after someone fired more than 35 shots at her home. News outlets report a family member announced Lawson’s contribution Wednesday evening at a vigil for Ja’Naiya...
Ex-NFL standout Chris Long on Aaron Donald: ‘He’s the best football player in the world’
Chris Long said he knew in summer 2014, before Aaron Donald played one snap with the then-St. Louis Rams, that the former Pitt standout would be as good as he is. “I would like to credit myself with being the first person know he was going to be amazing,” Long...
Podcast part 3: Faced with adversity, Chris Long ‘stuck it out’ to become All-American at Virginia
Former NFL standout Chris Long discusses his college days at Virginia, where he says almost transferred, in Part 3 of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast. Long, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long, went on to win back-to-back Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and...
Ravens go all-in on Lamar Jackson, and their remade offense proves it
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The speakers behind the end zone of the sun-splashed practice field blared the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” as the Baltimore Ravens offense broke the huddle. A wall of offensive players lined up behind the formation, facing the defense. Coaches lurked. A few steps behind center, in the...
Bengals 1st-rounder Jonah Williams likely out for season after surgery
CINCINNATI — Bengals rookie offensive tackle Jonah Williams is expected to miss the season after surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The team said in a statement Williams is expected to make a full recovery. He was injured at a practice earlier this month. The Bengals drafted...
Radio hosts seems to invoke Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s dead son in argument
Kansas City radio host Kevin Kietzman is facing some criticism for seeming to invoke the death of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s son against him. The “Between the Lines” host on WHB 810 AM in Kansas City on Monday questioned a Yahoo! Sports report that embattled wide receiver Tyreek Hill...
Podcast part 2: Chris Long recalls ‘shenanigans’ as a kid, college recruiting
Recently retired NFL veteran Chris Long talks about the “shenanigans” he got into with friends while growing up, the value of hard work as a three-sport athlete in high school and getting recruited before settling on Virginia during Part 2 of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast. Long, son...
Bills looking for couple to marry during halftime of Patriots game
The Buffalo Bills are looking for a couple to get married in a halftime ceremony during a regular season game next season. The team announced the “Halftime Wedding Experience of a Lifetime” contest last week and are looking for a couple of fans to tie the knot at New Era...
‘Huddle Up:’ Ex-NFL great Chris Long retires to parents’ home – for now
It’s not often that an 11-year NFL veteran and two-time Super Bowl winner retires and lives in his parents’ house, but that’s just what has happened to Chris Long. “They’re working on my house, so we’re a family of four living with my folks,” he said with laugh during this...
TMZ’s 911 tape: Le’Veon Bell’s robbers were 2 women he left naked in his bed
New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell was unable to give a clothing description of the women who allegedly robbed him because they were not wearing any, according to a recording that TMZ claims is Bell’s call to 911. The former Pittsburgh Steeler reported that he was robbed May 25...
Ex-Penn State QB Trace McSorley returning punts in Baltimore
Trace McSorley, punt-returner? It could happen in Baltimore this season. Penn State’s winningest quarterback has spent time at the Ravens’ offseason workouts catching punts with the special teams. In an interview on the Ravens’ website, McSorley said he has had some “ups and downs” but wants to make an impact...
Report: Lions’ Matthew Stafford played with broken bones in backVideo
Matthew Stafford has started 128 consecutive games for the Detroit Lions, a streak surpassed in NFL history by only five quarterbacks: Brett Favre, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan. But according to a writer for the team’s official website, he played at least a few of those...
After piggybacking on baseball, NFL stood tall in expansion
George Halas wanted an NFL team in Dallas, and in 1960 the influential founder of the Chicago Bears helped Clint Murchison get one. Less than 10 years later, a league that for decades piggybacked geographically on baseball went from 16 to 26 franchises in a merger with the rival American...
Fans arrive in droves to honor Broncos’ Pat Bowlen at public tributeVideo
DENVER — Some wore full costumes and others sported jerseys, including one Denver Broncos supporter with “P. Bowlen” on the back. Quite a few devotees stood in the rain for about an hour before making their way inside the stadium. The fans arrived in droves Tuesday to pay respect to...
NFL teams up with NCAA for next round of safety improvements
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL’s top medical experts are asking college football physicians and trainers to help make the game safer. They want the NCAA to pitch in, too. Dr. Allen Sills and Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for health and safety initiatives, spent Monday and Tuesday in Indianapolis...
Former XFL, NFL running back Rod Smart, known as ‘He Hate Me,’ found safe after being reported missing in South Carolina
Update: Lancaster County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office has given a positive update about the whereabouts of Rod Smart. The department announced on its Facebook page that Smart has been located and is currently safe. “Mr. Smart has been located and he is safe at this time,” the post read. “We appreciate...
NFL has had great nicknames in its history — including ‘Steel Curtain’
NEW YORK — The memorable moments and teams in NFL history can be summarized by a word or phrase such as the “Steel Curtain” or “America’s Team.” And the NFL has had more than its share of those moments and teams through the years. Even though a list such as...
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen dies at age 75Video
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Pat Bowlen, the Denver Broncos owner who transformed the team from also-rans into NFL champions and helped the league usher in billion-dollar television deals, died. He was 75. In a statement on the team’s website, Bowlen’s family said he died late Thursday night at home surrounded by...
First Call: Pirates’ Melky Cabrera’s rising trade stock; Antonio Brown embraces ‘Hard Knocks’
For “First Call” Wednesday, is Melky Cabrera getting traded? How about Derek Dietrich? Antonio Brown seems pumped for “Hard Knocks.” High praise for a Pitt product in the NFL. And the Pirates first-round pick insists his arm is fine. Will Melky move? MLB.com posted a list of 10 players whose...
Pitt’s Qadree Ollison could be ‘dangerous’ with Falcons’ offense, NFL analyst says
It wasn’t the strongest NFL draft class for running backs. But Pitt’s Qadree Ollison may be one of the most impactful of the bunch. That’s according to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt. Here’s what he said about the Falcons’ fifth-round pick. “In a perfect world for the Falcons, Devonta Freeman and Ito...
O.J. Simpson says ‘life is fine’ after prison
LOS ANGELES — Twenty-five years after the grisly killings that transformed him from Hall of Fame football hero to murder suspect, 71-year-old O.J. Simpson says he is happy and healthy living in Las Vegas, plays golf nearly every day and stays in touch with his children. “Life is fine,” Simpson...
Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. convicted of rapeVideo
SAN DIEGO — Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. — the son of a Hall of Famer who himself earned more than $40 million during his career — has been convicted of raping a 58-year-old homeless woman last year in his picturesque beach community of Encinitas, north of San Diego....
Unretired Witten says he wants to blend in with Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — Jason Witten talks a lot about just wanting to blend in now that he is back for a club-record 16th season with the Dallas Cowboys after a year in retirement. Ask about playing time among a group of decidedly younger tight ends, and, well, the franchise leader...
