PAUL NEWBERRY
FILE - Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves adjusts his headset at the start of play against the Detroit Lions at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. Reeves, who won a Super Bowl as a player with the Dallas Cowboys but was best known for a long coaching career highlighted by four more appearances in the title game with the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)
Former Broncos, Falcons, Giants coach Dan Reeves dies at 77

By Paul Newberry Jan. 01, 2022 09:41 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Dan Reeves' talents off the field were recognized early on by Tom

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly gestures to fans after his arrival at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. Kelly, formerly of Notre Dame, is said to have agreed to a 10-year contract with LSU worth $95 million plus incentives. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST
We had hoped the Newby Awards could return to a bit of normalcy this year.

An ice resurfacer prepares the rink before an NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Florida Panthers, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers announced that eight players will not play due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Column: Sports let their guard down, COVID makes a comeback

By Paul Newberry Dec. 17, 2021 02:05 PM EST
When you saw the packed stadiums and arenas, when you knew that nearly all athletes

Former Georgia All-American Charley Trippi celebrates his 100th birthday at his home in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Trippi played for Georgia in the 1940s, his college career interrupted by a stint in the military during World War II. (Tony Walsh/UGA Athletic Association via AP)
Column: Charley Trippi's amazing life hits the century mark

By Paul Newberry Dec. 14, 2021 04:42 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — If you think today's hybrid NFL players are something special, check

FILE - Houston Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas stands with his parents, Bobby Thomas, right, and Katina Smith, prior to the team's NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver. Thomas, who eared five straight Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring during a prolific receiving career spent mostly with the Broncos, has died at the age of 33. Thomas was found dead in his suburban Atlanta home Thursday night, Dec. 9, 2021, said Officer Tim Lupo, public information officer for the police department in Roswell, Ga. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ Demaryius Thomas dies at 33

By Paul Newberry Dec. 10, 2021 01:00 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Demaryius Thomas overcame a troubled childhood. He managed to shine as

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith speaks with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Home, not sweet home: Falcons keep losing in A-T-L

By Paul Newberry Dec. 06, 2021 01:52 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Home is not-so sweet for the Atlanta Falcons. If they

Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea (50) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dynamic duo: Brady, Gronk lead Bucs past Falcons 30-17

By Paul Newberry Dec. 05, 2021 04:16 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski teamed up for more history Sunday.

FILE - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Claude Humphrey poses in August 1970. Humphrey, a Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude and one of the NFL's most fearsome pass rushers during the 1970s with the Falcons, died unexpectedly in Atlanta on Friday night, Dec. 3, 2021, according to the Hall of Fame, which was informed of his death by his daughter. He was 77. (AP Photo/File)
Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey dies as age 77

By Paul Newberry Dec. 04, 2021 12:32 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey, one of the NFL's

FILE - Seattle Mariners gather as the MLB logo is shown during a review of an attempted catch by right fielder Mitch Haniger of a ball hit by Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi that was originally called an out during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 18, 2021, in Seattle. The call was overturned. The Mariners won 5-1. The clock ticked down toward the expiration of Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement at 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday night, Dec. 1, 2021, and what was likely to be a management lockout ending the sport’s labor peace at over 26 1/2 years. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Column: Baseball can't afford another extended labor dispute

By Paul Newberry Dec. 03, 2021 05:10 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball's last labor dispute was devastating, but the comeback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Falcons try to put some heat on Brady, Bucs in NFC South

By Paul Newberry Dec. 02, 2021 01:54 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are cruising in the NFC

Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith (40) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Swaggering Pats stifle Falcons 25-0 for 5th straight victory

By Paul Newberry Nov. 18, 2021 11:20 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Led by a defense that is downright nasty, the New England

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Naturally, Falcons vs Patriots brings back memories of 28-3

By Paul Newberry Nov. 17, 2021 12:29 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady has moved on to win a seventh championship at Tampa

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Falcons reeling and facing short week after Dallas debacle

By Paul Newberry Nov. 15, 2021 01:57 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Coming off one of the worst performances in franchise history,

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III is taken out of the courtroom in a wheelchair after making an initial appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court in Las Vegas Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. Ruggs is facing charges relating to a fiery vehicle crash early Tuesday in Las Vegas that left a woman dead and Ruggs and his female passenger injured. Photo is taken through a glass window. The team released Ruggs just hours after the crash. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool)
Column: NFL's terrible week: tragedy, silliness, selfishness

By Paul Newberry Nov. 05, 2021 05:00 PM EDT
No one spins things like the NFL, but not even its mighty PR machine can make

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith celebrates the team's win over the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the baseball World Series, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. (Kevin M. Cox/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)
Column: A most improbable team brings Atlanta a title

By Paul Newberry Nov. 03, 2021 02:55 AM EDT
During three decades of nearly uninterrupted excellence, there were so many

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons deal with loss of Ridley, lack of deep pass threat

By Paul Newberry Nov. 01, 2021 03:19 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Calvin Ridley has stepped away from the Atlanta Falcons to deal

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) hits Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. Darnold left the field after the play. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Defense shines, Panthers snap skid by beating Falcons 19-13

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2021 04:16 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Chuba Hubbard's first carry was about as bad as it gets.

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons WR Ridley misses game to deal with mental health

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2021 11:56 AM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Joining other well-known athletes who have struggled with mental

FILE - In this Oct. 23, 1996, file photo, Atlanta Braves' left fielder Andruw Jones can't get to the home run hit by the New York Yankees' Jim Leyritz in the eighth inning of Game 4 of baseball's World Series in Atlanta. As the World Series comes to Atlanta for the first time since 1999, there is hope that the city — once immortalized by Sports Illustrated as “Loserville” — and the entire state of Georgia, for that matter, could be taking a turn toward some long-overdue parades and celebrations. (AP Photo/Eric S. Lesser, File)
Column: Atlanta tries to transform itself into Winnersville

By Paul Newberry Oct. 28, 2021 01:50 PM EDT
Stephen King could've written “Misery” about an Atlanta sports fan.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold, center, watches his team play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Rookie TE Pitts off to dynamic start with improved Falcons

By Paul Newberry Oct. 28, 2021 01:35 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Hard to believe Kyle Pitts is a rookie. The