HOWARD FENDRICH
FILE 0 Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson stands on the field during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. othing can slow the NFL’s popularity, but there are significant, unsavory off-field issues that are looming over the league as the season heads to the second half: multiple investigations of Commanders owner Daniel Snyder; the suspension and pending return of Browns QB Deshaun Watson; the lawsuit brought by Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Snyder’s status, Watson’s ban, Flores’ lawsuit hang over NFL

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 10, 2022 02:23 PM EST
Nothing, it seems, can slow the NFL’s overwhelming and ever-growing popularity, no

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2013, file photo, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder walks off the field before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md. Few NFL teams have managed to lose as much as Washington has since Daniel Snyder was part of a group that purchased the franchise for a then-record $800 million in 1999. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Under Dan Snyder, Washington sank from NFL elite to also-ran

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 25, 2022 11:29 AM EDT
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Super Bowl-winning defensive end Fred Stokes remembers what he

Tanya Snyder, Washington Commanders co-owner and co-CEO, speaks before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)
Hail to the who? Tanya Snyder drops Commanders for old name

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 23, 2022 06:28 PM EDT
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Under investigation and under scrutiny like never before, team

Jessica Pegula of the U.S. returns the ball to Poland's Iga Swiatek during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
Pegula almost didn't go to Wimbledon; now she eyes 3rd round

By Howard Fendrich Jun. 29, 2022 03:28 PM EDT
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Jessica Pegula heard the jokes from other players at

FILE - Len Hauss, center for the Washington Redskins is shown in 1975. Hauss, a five-time Pro Bowl center for Washington who started every game over the last 13 seasons of his 14-year NFL career, has died. He was 79. His daughter, Lana Hauss Snyder, said in a telephone interview Thursday that Hauss died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, Georgia, after an extended illness. (AP Photo/File)
Len Hauss, 5-time Pro Bowl center for Washington, dies at 79

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 16, 2021 04:09 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Len Hauss, a five-time Pro Bowl center for Washington who started

Washington Football Team center Tyler Larsen (69) is attended to by members of the medical team after being injured following a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Taylor Heinicke, Washington stumble to 27-20 loss to Cowboys

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 12, 2021 06:29 PM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke had just been strip

Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) is helped off the field by guard Brandon Scherff (75) after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington worries rusher Chase Young tore ACL in right knee

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 14, 2021 05:41 PM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — As it is, Chase Young’s second year in the NFL was not

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
'They love it when I go crazy': Mathieu, defense lift Chiefs

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 17, 2021 06:06 PM EDT
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu sat on the

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, file photo, Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters (98) stretches before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles. Current or former players, along with people in positions of leadership with NFL clubs, have offered differing opinions this week on how pervasive the sorts of racist, homophobic and misogynistic thoughts expressed by Jon Gruden -- in emails he wrote from 2011-18, when he was an ESPN analyst between coaching jobs, to then-Washington club executive Bruce Allen – remain around the sport to this day. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Now question in NFL is: Does Gruden reflect broader culture?

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 13, 2021 04:51 PM EDT
When Shad Khan set out more than a decade ago to become the first member of an

Tennis fans watch as Ricardas Berankis, of Lithuania, serves to Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Even as COVID cases rise, US Open, other events welcome fans

By Howard Fendrich Aug. 30, 2021 04:51 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Full-throated shouts and hearty applause returned to the U.S.

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) his chased down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Heinicke impresses, but Washington comes up short vs. Bucs

By Howard Fendrich Jan. 10, 2021 12:42 AM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Undrafted, unheralded Taylor Heinicke took on big, bad Tom

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during an NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers play the Washington Football Team in a playoff game Saturday night. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
David-Goliath: Rivera eyes 2nd W with sub-.500 playoff team

By Howard Fendrich Jan. 08, 2021 11:16 AM EST
Ron Rivera loves a good catch phrase and is fond of using visual presentations

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Rivera trying to get Washington where Carroll's Seahawks are

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 17, 2020 05:41 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) walks to the field for the start of the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins replaced Smith for the start of the second half. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington QB uncertainty: Haskins practices, not Alex Smith

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 16, 2020 03:32 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Smith’s strained right calf prevented him from

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) manages to elude the tackle of Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
With Young on young D, Rivera's Washington in 1st, relevant

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 14, 2020 03:31 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — The good news for Washington is that its young, Chase Young

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Washington win streak directed by Mr. Comeback, Alex Smith

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 10, 2020 06:27 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Smith, in his words, could “see the blood pumping out”

Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) hauls in a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex Smith during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
PowerPoint: On 3-game run, Washington's Rivera eyes humility

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 08, 2020 04:09 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Coach Ron Rivera came prepared with a slide presentation to

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera, center, walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Alex Smith, defense help Washington defeat Steelers 23-17

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 07, 2020 10:29 PM EST
With Alex Smith leading the way in the latest remarkable development of his oh

Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs a route as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Rashard Robinson (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. When Washington takes its 4-7 record and playoff chances in the miserable NFC East to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers (11-0) and their stingy defense Monday, McLaurin, a third-round draft pick out of Ohio State, will represent the visitor's most dependable and dynamic pass-catcher. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
Chase-down tackle, blocks just part of the job for McLaurin

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 03, 2020 04:53 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sure, the ever-improving route-running, the key catches and

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson sprints to the end zone for a touchdown after getting past Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) and Aldon Smith (58) in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Washington has 2-game streak but Steelers up next (probably)

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 30, 2020 07:52 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time under new coach Ron Rivera, Washington is