HOWARD FENDRICH
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

The Michael Jordan statue stands in front of an I Voted banner on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in the atrium of the United Center, transformed for the first time into a super voting site in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Voting, activism replace practice, games in US sports world

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 03, 2020 06:43 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just past noon on Election Day, after casting her vote where

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) lies on the ground after getting hit by Washington Football Team inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
'We weren't good at all': Cowboys lose Dalton in rout at DC

By Howard Fendrich Oct. 25, 2020 05:23 PM EDT
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — When a sliding Andy Dalton got a concussion from a

FILE - These are 2020 file photos showing District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, left, and Washington Redskins NFL football team owner Dan Snyder, right. The recent national conversation about racism has renewed calls for the Washington Redskins to change their name. D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser called the name an "obstacle" to the team building its stadium and headquarters in the District, but owner Dan Snyder over the years has shown no indications he'd consider it. (AP Photo/File)
Washington Post calls on Skins' owner or NFL to change name

By Howard Fendrich Jun. 19, 2020 09:49 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Post editorial board is calling on Washington

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2017, file photo, players practice for the U.S. Open tennis tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. When he first contemplated the prospect of a U.S. Open without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Tennis Association’s chief revenue officer figured there was no way it could work. Lew Sherr eventually came around to embracing the idea of a closed-door Grand Slam tournament -- if it’s held at all; a decision is expected in the next two weeks -- because it still could make money even if millions were forfeited with zero on-site receipts from tickets, hospitality, food and beverage or merchandise sales. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)
For tennis and golf, tournaments without fans come at a cost

By Howard Fendrich Jun. 11, 2020 02:58 AM EDT
When he first contemplated the prospect of a U.S. Open without fans because of

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, then-Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. Reporters from The Associated Press spoke to more than two dozen athletes from around the globe -- representing seven countries and 11 sports -- to get a sense of how concerned or confident they are about resuming competition. Thompson is an NFL running back. He’s also the father of a 4-month-old daughter, Kali. “If I go practice or play and I come back home with the virus, she’s not strong enough yet to fight something like that. For me, that’s my biggest worry,” said Thompson, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this month after seven seasons with the Redskins. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
AP Exclusive: Athletes wary about virus, testing upon return

By Howard Fendrich May. 28, 2020 10:38 AM EDT
Chris Thompson is an NFL running back. He also is the father of a 4-month-old

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2011, file photo, the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. A sense of humor and a dash of creativity, along with memes from "The Office," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and the "Real Housewives" franchise, helped NFL teams' social-media crews tell the story of free agency in the age of the coronavirus before deals eventually were allowed to just be announced normally. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
NFL memes business: In virus age, teams feign deal ignorance

By Howard Fendrich Mar. 19, 2020 04:20 PM EDT
A sense of humor and a dash of creativity, along with memes from "Friends,"

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) greets San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. The 49ers won 48-46. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NFL ICYMI: Jimmy G's defining performance; calls hurt Pats

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 09, 2019 03:03 AM EST
Jimmy G. seems to be heating up just as Tom Terrific appears to be slowing down

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a touchdown pass to Marcedes Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
NFL ICYMI: Super Bowl preview? 49ers-Ravens was fun to watch

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 02, 2019 02:13 AM EST
If this edition of 49ers-Ravens — filled with elite players, fourth-down

Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins takes selfies with fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. The Redskins won 19-16. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
NFL ICYMI: Jerry Jones’ frustration; Haskins’ photo finish

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 25, 2019 03:20 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones certainly didn’t say he was ready to make any