African-Americans
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

NFL hires first Black female game official, Maia Chaka

Mar. 05, 2021 10:52 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has hired Maia Chaka as the first Black female official in league history. She will work games during the 2021 season. ...

Irv Cross poses at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., in this April 8, 1999, file photo. Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. He was 81. The Philadelphia Eagles, the team Cross spent six of his nine NFL seasons with, said Cross' son, Matthew, confirmed his father died near his home in Roseville, Minnesota. The cause of death was not provided. (Ann Heisenfelt/Star Tribune via AP)
Irv Cross, NFL player, pioneer Black analyst, dies at 81

Feb. 28, 2021 10:25 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Column: Meyer should know by now he's not in college anymore

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 15, 2021 03:06 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Jaguars split with accused racist strength coach Chris Doyle

Feb. 12, 2021 05:17 PM EST

This undated photo provided by the United States Coast Guard shows a U.S. Coast Guard cutter named for Emlen Tunnell, docked in Bollinger Shipyard, in Lockport, La. Tunnell, the first Black player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, served in the Coast Guard during and after World War II, where he was credited with saving the lives of two shipmates in separate incidents. Now, a Coast Guard cutter and an athletic building on the Coast Guard Academy campus are being named in honor of the former New York Giants defensive back. (United States Coast Guard via AP)
Coast Guard honors Black veteran, NFL great Emlen Tunnell

By Pat Eaton-Robb Feb. 06, 2021 08:26 AM EST

Executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith speaks during a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LV, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts via AP)
NFL players continue fighting for social justice, diversity

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 04, 2021 08:25 PM EST

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
Goodell: Many lessons NFL learned in 2020 will carry forward

By Rob Maaddi And Barry Wilner Feb. 04, 2021 03:44 PM EST

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
The Latest: Goodell: NFL will look at rules for coach hiring

By The Associated Press Feb. 04, 2021 02:14 PM EST