African-Americans
FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2014, file photo, NFL lawyer Brad Karp leaves federal court after a hearing on the proposed NFL concussion settlement, in Philadelphia. Lawyers for the NFL and retired players filed proposed changes to the $1 billion concussion settlement on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, to remove race-norming in dementia testing, which made it more difficult for Black players to qualify for payments. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
NFL, players agree to end 'race-norming' in $1B settlement

By Maryclaire Dale Oct. 20, 2021 01:05 AM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks on his headset during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Jon Gruden again says he's not a racist after Raiders loss

By Greg Beacham Oct. 10, 2021 11:12 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 1948, file photo, Cleveland Browns fullback Marion Motley, right, stands with coach Paul Brown after a football game against Buffalo in Cleveland. Brown never saw color, and in 1946 he recruited Motley and Bill Willis for his Cleveland team in the All-America Football Conference. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine, File)
Forgotten First: A look at four (and more) NFL trailblazers

By Barry Wilner Sep. 14, 2021 02:11 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
NFL Today, Week 1

By The Associated Press Sep. 12, 2021 09:53 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after scoring against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Darnold, defense lead Panthers past Jets 19-14 in opener

By Steve Reed Sep. 12, 2021 04:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2021, file photo, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard runs a drill during joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at the NFL team's football training camp in Westfield, Ind. The idea behind the HBCU Open House staged annually by the NFL is simple: providing opportunities. One emphasis of the programs is making HBCU students and alumni aware of positions on the business side of the game. The vast majority of students won't be emulating Darius Leonard, the Colts' All-Pro linebacker from MEAC's South Carolina State. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
HBCUs and NFL partnering to advance football opportunities

By Barry Wilner Sep. 04, 2021 02:04 AM EDT

Steve Hutchinson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, puts his hand on his bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
The Latest: Coach Bill Cowher enters the Hall of Fame

Aug. 07, 2021 02:19 PM EDT

This Thursday, April 15, 2004, photo shows Bill Nunn in Pittsburgh. For those who consider the Steel Curtain teams of the 1970s as the NFL’s all-time best, the name Bill Nunn needs to be remembered. And honored. That happens in Canton, Ohio, next week when Nunn enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021 as a contributor. (Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)
Bill Nunn, key scout for Steelers, heads to Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Jul. 30, 2021 03:00 AM EDT

Judge Fred W. "Duke" Slater, seated, of University of Iowa's undefeated football team of 1921, huddles with former teammates at a luncheon honoring him on Aug, 13, 1958, at the Sherman Hotel in Chicago. Other players are, from left, Aubrey Devine, Les Belding, Bill Kelly and Glen Devine. (Chicago Tribune via AP)
Duke Slater, NFL's 1st Black lineman, is now Hall of Famer

By Steven Wine Jul. 21, 2021 03:09 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2018, file photo, former NFL football quarterback Colin Kaepernick smiles on stage during W.E.B. Du Bois Medal ceremonies at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. Kaepernick will release a series of books through the children’s publisher Scholastic, starting with a picture story “I Color Myself Different” coming out in April, (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Colin Kaepernick picture book to come out in April

Jul. 15, 2021 02:21 PM EDT

FILE - Then-San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, in this Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, file photo. The Jacksonville Jaguars said Wednesday, July 14, 2021, that coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke were subpoenaed as part of a lawsuit filed by lawyers for Black players suing former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle for discrimination. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Jags' Meyer, Baalke subpoenaed in Iowa discrimination suit

Jul. 14, 2021 02:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 2, 2021, file photo, Washington Football Team helmets are on the field during an NFL football OTA at Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Va. Washington's NFL team will not be called the Warriors or have any other Native American imagery in the new name when it's revealed next year. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File)
Year since Washington change, Native sports imagery evolving

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 13, 2021 02:49 AM EDT

In this March 11, 2021, photo Debra Katz, an attorney for Charlotte Bennett, a former staffer who has accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of workplace sexual harassment, poses for a picture at her office during an interview with the Associated Press in northwest Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
For top #MeToo legal duo, a pandemic year brings no pause

By Jocelyn Noveck Jul. 11, 2021 12:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 26, 2019, file photo, former Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome speaks during an NFL football news conferencing in Owings Mills, Md. The NFL is hosting its inaugural Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum on Monday, June 21, 2021, in an effort to increase diversity in from offices. Newsome, a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, was the first Black GM in league history (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
NFL holding its inaugural General Manager Forum next week

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 18, 2021 03:01 PM EDT

FILE - Former NFL players Ken Jenkins, right, and Clarence Vaughn III, center right, along with their wives, Amy Lewis, center, and Brooke Vaughn, left, carry tens of thousands of petitions demanding equal treatment for everyone involved in the settlement of concussion claims against the NFL, to the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, in this Friday, May 14, 2021, file photo. The NFL on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive functioning — in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
NFL judge: Lawyers for Black players can join mediation

By Maryclaire Dale Jun. 03, 2021 06:09 PM EDT

Former NFL player Clarence Vaughn III, center left, and his wife Brooke Vaughn kiss before delivering tens of thousands of petitions demanding equal treatment for everyone involved in the settlement of concussion claims against the NFL, to the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Retired Black players say NFL brain-injury payouts show bias

By Maryclaire Dale And Michelle R. Smith May. 14, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Cardinals create scholarship to honor Black trailblazer

May. 05, 2021 01:47 PM EDT
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have created the Adele Harris Scholarship to honor the 50th anniversary of Harris becoming the first Black female to...

FILE - Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks off the field after NFL football practice in Renton, Wash., in this Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, file photo. During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless style on the field, while remaining one of the league’s most reclusive figures off the field. Now the retired running back is lending his voice to try to help members of Black and Hispanic communities make more informed decisions about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Lynch released a 30-minute interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on his YouTube channel Friday, April 16, 2021, becoming the latest prominent athlete to sit down with him to discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. continues to combat the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Marshawn Lynch, Dr. Fauci discuss vaccine hesitancy

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Women’s History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group via AP)
AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity

By Ragan Clark Mar. 29, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

Kansas head coach Bill Self watches player introductions before an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Latest: NFL Hall of Famers help push vaccine awareness

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 04:51 PM EST