BARRY WILNER
Coaches to have own Hall of Fame category for next 4 years

By Barry Wilner Aug. 07, 2020 05:11 PM EDT
Coaches will have their own category for being voted into the Pro Football Hall

Amid pandemic, Hall of Fame Village plans move forward

By Barry Wilner Aug. 07, 2020 12:59 PM EDT
Instead of thousands of football fans converging on the Pro Football Hall of

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Hightower might be the most accomplished player to opt out of the season because of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
66 players opt out of NFL season due to coronavirus pandemic

By Barry Wilner Aug. 06, 2020 05:23 PM EDT
A total of 66 players have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the

FILE - In this May 31, 2016, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Andrew Billings (75) participates in NFL football practice in Cincinnati. Billings, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in March after spending three seasons with the Bengals, has opted out of the 2020 season because of coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
AP sources: NFL opt-out deadline set, salary cap relief OK'd

By Barry Wilner Aug. 04, 2020 11:41 AM EDT
NFL players who decide to opt out of the coming season must do so by Thursday

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark admits he's surprised at how many players are passing on 2020. Although he is not considering it, he understands why the number of NFL opts outs surpasses the total for Major League Baseball, the NHL and NBA combined. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
On Football: Opt outs should not have doubts or a deadline

By Barry Wilner Aug. 03, 2020 05:07 PM EDT
What seemed like a simple enough process of players deciding whether to skip

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, a player prepares to hike the ball at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game between Ohio State and Wisconsin in Indianapolis. Don Yee, one of sports' most influential agents, Tom Brady is one of his clients, has teamed with former ESPN and NFL Network executive Jamie Hemann to develop HUB Football. The concept is simple, though the implementation could be very complex: It will provide opportunities for college players and street free agents to be seen in action by NFL teams. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Big-time agent has plan for football players to find path

By Barry Wilner Jul. 31, 2020 11:51 AM EDT
In this time of upheaval on all levels of football, Don Yee has a plan to

FILE - In this Aug. 16, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos nose tackle Kyle Peko (90) takes part in drills during the team's NFL football training camp in Englewood, Colo. Peko is opting out of the season because of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
On Football: NFL opt outs more prevalent than many expected

By Barry Wilner Jul. 29, 2020 03:22 PM EDT
Now we know why a key topic in talks between the NFL and the players' union

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 file photo, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Defensive end Joey Bosa has agreed to a six-year, $135 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple people familiar with the decision. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, July 28, 2020 because the contract has not been finalized.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NFL training camps opening with eye on baseball, babysitting

By Barry Wilner Jul. 28, 2020 05:19 PM EDT
Brady and Brees aren't the B words dominating the opening of NFL training camps

FILE - In this July 28, 2017, file photo, a football sits on a Baltimore Ravens practice field during NFL football training camp in Owings Mills, Md. As teams adhere to the medical protocols that wisely and necessarily have been ordered by the league and the players’ union, any sort of football action might be delayed until mid-August. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
On Football: Training camps' look defines strange times

By Barry Wilner Jul. 28, 2020 05:06 PM EDT
Don't expect any footballs — or players — on fields at NFL training camps

FILE- In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) sacks Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets traded disgruntled star safety Adams to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, July 25, 2020, splitting with a gifted player whose relationship with the franchise quickly deteriorated because of a contract dispute. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
On Football: Adams trade shows NFL teams not holding back

By Barry Wilner Jul. 27, 2020 03:30 PM EDT
There's more to the Jamal Adams departure from the Jets and landing in Seattle

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2020, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs NFL football head coach Andy Reid speaks during a news conference in Aventura, Fla. In seven weeks, the NFL expects to kick off its 101st season with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs hosting Houston. Emphasis on expects (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Analysis: Behind health, stability a key to NFL success

By Barry Wilner Jul. 22, 2020 03:38 PM EDT
Chiefs, 49ers, Saints, Ravens. All powerhouses last season. All in excellent

FILE - This June 23, 2020, file photo shows Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, far left, along with safety Mike Edwards, second from left, quarterback Tom Brady, center in orange, cornerback Jamel Dean, second from right, and quarterback Blaine Gabbert during a private workout at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Fla. In a normal year, Brady's switch from the Patriots to the Buccaneers would have overridden every NFL story, from early winter through the spring and summer and into his debut against fellow 40-something QB Drew Brees and the Saints in September. Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)
NFL facing unending series of questions, uncertain answers

By Barry Wilner Jul. 21, 2020 03:59 PM EDT
In seven weeks, the NFL expects to kick off its 101st season with the Super

FILE - This Nov. 10, 2019, file photo shows Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians wearing a "Crucial Catch" hat before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Fla. The NFL is planning to allow players to have decals on the back of their helmets bearing names or initials of victims of systemic racism and police violence. The league has been in talks with individual players and their union since June about somehow honoring such victims.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
NFL planning to allow social justice decals on helmets

By Barry Wilner Jul. 21, 2020 01:47 PM EDT
The NFL is planning to allow players to have decals on the back of their

NFL awards 4 projects in helmet safety development program

By Barry Wilner Jun. 30, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Four organizations have been awarded a total of $1.37 million by the NFL to

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 file photo, Houston Texans running back Karan Higdon (31) carries the ball during a joint NFL training camp football practice with the Detroit Lions in Houston. The NFL still plans to hold training camps on time beginning in late July, though contingency plans are in place. Hours after the league canceled the Hall of Fame game that kicks off the preseason, the 32 team owners on Thursday, June 25, 2020 were updated on a variety of issues, many dealing with working through the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
NFL training camps still on original schedule for late July

By Barry Wilner Jun. 25, 2020 02:31 PM EDT
The NFL still plans to hold training camps on time beginning in late July,

FILE - This May 23, 2019, file photo shows New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during an NFL football team practice in Florham Park, N.J. Williams believes All-Pro safety Jamal Adams has the skills to be a Hall of Famer. Williams can only hope that Adams will keep displaying them in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Jets D-coordinator Williams has Adams' back as player

By Barry Wilner Jun. 25, 2020 01:37 PM EDT
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams believes All-Pro safety Jamal Adams

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Trinity Benson (2) can't catch a pass under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jayson Stanley (23) during the second half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game in Canton, Ohio. The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the preseason and is delaying the 2020 induction ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic, two people with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday, June 25, 2020. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced, though an announcement is expected later Thursday. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL cancels Hall of Fame game, delays inductions until 2021

By Barry Wilner Jun. 25, 2020 10:16 AM EDT
The NFL on Thursday canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the

In this undated photo provided by XTECH, XTECH custom shoulder pads are displayed. XTECH co-founders Broderick and Monica have found ways to get shoulder pads out to NFL, college and high school players in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. (William Hauser Photography/XTECH via AP)
Equipping teams during a pandemic a unique challenge

By Barry Wilner Jun. 23, 2020 01:09 PM EDT
As football teams from the NFL to the high school level prepare — and hope —

FILE - In this May 2, 2014, file photo, Bobby Mitchell is introduced before the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. The Washington Redskins will retire the jersey of Mitchell and rename the lower level of FedEx Field for him, replacing former owner George Preston Marshall. The team, which is being pressured to change its name during the ongoing national reckoning over racism, said Saturday, June 20, 2020, that the No. 49 will become on the second in the franchise's 88-year history to be retired. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
Redskins retire Mitchell's jersey, rename stadium level

By Barry Wilner Jun. 20, 2020 12:54 PM EDT
The Washington Redskins will retire the jersey of Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell.

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) sets up against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Frequently suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon has applied to the NFL for reinstatement, a person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press, Thursday, June 18, 2020. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL does not publicly announce such moves. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
AP source: Suspended WR Gordon applies for NFL reinstatement

By Barry Wilner Jun. 18, 2020 04:55 PM EDT
Frequently suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon has applied to the NFL for