Barry Sanders
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) is stopped by Buffalo Bills defensive back Josh Thomas (36) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions look to Swift, Williams, others to improve run game

Aug. 20, 2021 02:14 PM EDT

Calvin Johnson, right, and business partner Rob Sims look over marijuana plants growing under special lights at their business in Webberville, Mich., Friday, June 4, 2021. The former Detroit Lions wide receiver has founded a cannabis business and is collaborating with Harvard University to research how marijuana can help people with CTE and chronic pain. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Calvin Johnson aims to change game with cannabis business

By Larry Lage Aug. 04, 2021 02:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 1989, file photo, Tony Mandarich backs off the line during the second quarter at Anaheim stadium as the Green Bay Packers played the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL football game. Considered one of best offensive line prospects in history, lasted only three seasons in Green Bay. (AP photo/Alan Greth, File)
The famous and the flops: best and worst NFL 1st-round picks

By The Associated Press Apr. 24, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 1984, file photo, coach Tom Flores gestures to members of the Los Angeles Raiders as they carry him off the field after their 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa, Fla. Flores has been selected as the Coach Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. (AP Photo/File)
The Latest: Peyton Manning gets Hall call

By The Associated Press Feb. 06, 2021 09:22 PM EST

Radio row at the Super Bowl is nearly empty Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, inside the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. Radio row, usually one of the most happening spots during the week, reaching peak levels on Thursday and Friday as players, celebrities and entertainers bounce from one interview to another, promoting whatever brand paid them to be there, was nearly empty due to COVID-19. (AP Photo/Rob Maaddi)
Quieter Radio Row at Super Bowl still had success

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 06, 2021 05:19 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry , left, runs past Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Henry led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing last season before running the Titans to their first AFC championship game in 17 years. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Derrick Henry poised to repeat as NFL's rushing leader

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 29, 2020 12:11 PM EST

Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
NFL Today, Week 14

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 10:18 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 08, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 9 1934 — The New York Giants wins the NFL championship by beating the Chicago Bears 30-13 in the famous “Sneakers Game.” With the...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 05:12 PM EST
Dec. 6 1939 — Iowa’s Nile Kinnick wins the Heisman Trophy. The back passed for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 374 yards. ...

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 4 1945 — “Mr. Inside” Doc Blanchard of Army becomes the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Blanchard also becomes the only...

NFL Today, Week 12

By The Associated Press Nov. 29, 2020 09:04 PM EST
SCOREBOARD Monday, Nov. 30 Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN — Russell Wilson looks to...

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 1993, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Andre Ware (11) runs from the pocket while trying to avoid the tackle of Phoenix Cardinals outside linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn (50) during the first quarter in Pontiac, Mich. The Motor City has witnessed a lot of losing seasons in the league in large part because the Lions have missed more than hit the mark with draft decisions. Taking quarterback Andre Ware seventh overall in 1990 is only one example. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Lions lean on Barry Sanders as a good memory from NFL draft

By Larry Lage Apr. 21, 2020 01:56 PM EDT

Confused fans rip Garth Brooks for wearing 'Sanders' jersey

Feb. 28, 2020 03:23 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Leave it to the internet to interpret Garth Brooks wearing a Barry Sanders jersey during a concert in Detroit as a political endorsement of a...

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Dec. 01, 2019 09:24 AM EST
Dec. 2 1907 — Tommy Burns defends his world heavyweight title by knocking out Gunner Moir in the 10th round at London. ...

NFL Today, Week 12

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2019 08:52 PM EST
SCOREBOARD Monday, Nov. 25 Baltimore at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. The Rams (6-4) welcome the high-scoring Ravens for...

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) jumps over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) as Tannehil scores a touchdown on a 21-yard run in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Latest: Gore still going, passes Sanders on rush list

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2019 12:34 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 1994, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) runs for short yardage against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The NFL became a truly booming business in the 1990s, with multi-billion-dollar TV contracts, expansion to 30 teams, and a late-decade wave of new stadiums. Players began to pick up a bigger share of the wealth, with the dawn of unrestricted free agency. The results on the field were largely dominated by the NFC, with Smith and the Cowboys, Steve Young and the San Francisco 49ers, and Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers enjoying the most success. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)
NFL at 100: Cowboys took control in the '90s as sport grew

By Dave Campbell Nov. 08, 2019 07:15 PM EST

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby celebrates kicking the game-winning field goal by jumping in the stands following an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Lions latest victims of NFL's flag football problem

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 15, 2019 02:33 AM EDT

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, left, and owner Jim Irsay, second from left, listen as Colts quarterback Andrew Luck speaks during a news conference following the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Indianapolis. The oft-injured star is retiring at age 29. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Luck finds cost of football too pricey to continue career

By Michael Marot Aug. 25, 2019 02:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 1965, file photo, Otto Graham, center, coach of the College All Stars football team, talks with co-captains Dick Butkus (50) of Illinois and Roger Staubach (12) of Navy as the team worked out under lights at Soldier Field in Chicago. In the early days of the NFL, college football was king and playing the game professionally was not necessarily something players aspired to do. By planting its flag in large cities, embracing television exposure and playing a more entertaining style, the NFL surged in popularity in the middle of the 20th century and helped turn college football into a means to an end for many players. (AP Photo/Edward Kitch, File)
NFL at 100: How college football became the pipeline to NFL

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2019 03:49 PM EDT