Infectious diseases
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The scouts were there in big numbers. But NFL prospects who were timed and tested, poked and prodded at the pro days didn’t have the usual contingent of underclassmen looking on and offering their support. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama State at Auburn 9/8/2018

Apr. 17, 2021 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The scouts were there in big numbers. But NFL prospects who were timed and tested, poked and prodded at the pro days didn’t have the usual contingent of underclassmen looking on and offering their support. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Pro days key for NFL hopefuls with no combine this year

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 17, 2021 01:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Chargers, Rams, Dolphins, Falcons say no to in-person work

By The Associated Press Apr. 17, 2021 11:59 AM EDT

Bears sign former 49ers, Bills WR Goodwin to 1-year deal

Apr. 16, 2021 07:44 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to a one-year contract Friday. Goodwin has 140 receptions...

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

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Steelers players 10th group skipping in-person workouts

By The Associated Press Apr. 16, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Browns, Raiders players say they'll skip offseason workouts

By Tom Withers Apr. 15, 2021 06:21 PM EDT

FILEm - Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) carries the ball against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Memphis, Tenn., in this Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, file photo. Gainwell had every intention of playing football with the Memphis Tigers last fall, going through fall practice. The funeral for an uncle, the fourth member of his family to die of COVID-19 made opting out of the season the best decision for Gainwell. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Memphis running back ready for NFL draft after opting out

By Teresa M. Walker Apr. 15, 2021 03:06 PM EDT

NFL reprises Draft-a-Thon to raise money for pandemic relief

Apr. 15, 2021 09:01 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is bringing back the Draft-a-Thon that raised money last year for charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. ...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (97) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. After opting out of the 2020 season due to health concerns around COVID-19, Michael Pierce has returned to the Minnesota Vikings, eager to establish himself at a nose tackle position in need of help. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Vikes' Pierce had regrets about opt-out, but made most of it

By Dave Campbell Apr. 14, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2010 file photo, members of the band Kings of Leon, from left, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill, pose for a portrait in New York. Rockers Kings of Leon will help kick off NFL draft activities on a stage close to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this month. The Grammy Award-winning band will open the festivities on April 29, 2021 with a concert as the draft returns to a more normal state after being held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Victoria Will, File)
Rockers Kings of Leon to perform on first night of NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 14, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

UW Whitewater lineman Quinn Meinerz runs at the school's pro football day Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Whitewater, Wisc. The only FCS teams hosting pro days this year were Central Arkansas, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater held one only because its Senior Bowl revelation, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, warranted another look after his team did not play in the fall. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Pandemic making NFL draft's small school gems harder to find

By Eric Olson Apr. 14, 2021 04:03 PM EDT

NFL’s revised offseason program includes mandatory minicamp

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 14, 2021 03:36 PM EDT
The NFL’s revised offseason program still includes a post-draft rookie minicamp, voluntary workouts and a mandatory minicamp next month despite the union’s...

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland. NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their union wants them to boycott any in-person OTAs. Last year, teams were forced to do everything online until training camps opened in August, and NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter has been advocating for a repeat of last year's offseason, arguing that the adjustments caused by the coronavirus showed the arduous offseason programs were unnecessary.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players call for virtual offseason, shun in-person work

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 13, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2010 file photo, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams (35) sits on the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco. A source briefed on a mass killing in South Carolina says the gunman who killed multiple people, including a prominent doctor, was the former NFL pro. The source said that Adams shot himself to death early Thursday, April 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
Adams, NFL veteran who killed 5, known as quiet, troubled

By The Associated Press Apr. 08, 2021 05:00 PM EDT

FILE - Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill guards his net with empty seats behind him during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, Calif., in this Friday, April 2, 2021, file photo. While the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are moving to relax virus protocols when a vast majority of a team’s players, coaches and staff are vaccinated, the NHL finds itself in an uncomfortable position. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
NHL grapples with vaccine inequity between U.S. and Canada

By Stephen Whyno And Larry Lage Apr. 08, 2021 03:37 PM EDT

York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson listens as a 911 call is played during a press conference on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in York, S.C. where he addressed the mass shooting by former NFL football player Phillip Adams. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Authorities: NFL player Phillip Adams killed 5, then himself

By Michelle Liu And Meg Kinnard Apr. 08, 2021 10:48 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 file photo, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still debating whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and believes the decision be left to personal choice. Allen shared his views Wednesday, April 7, 2021 during an hour-long interview on The Ringer podcast hosted by Kyle Brandt, when asked about the NFL electing not mandate its players to be vaccinated. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Bills' Allen: vaccine decision should be personal choice

By John Wawrow Apr. 07, 2021 08:03 PM EDT

Baylor guard Mark Vital, right, tries to steal the ball from Houston guard DeJon Jarreau (3) during the first half of a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Bearing down: Baylor routs Houston 78-59 to reach title game

By Dave Skretta Apr. 03, 2021 07:26 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, left, address the audience with linebackers Lavonte David, center, and Devin White during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. When Jason Licht declared he was going to do everything he could to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together, no one envisioned the process going as smoothly as it has for the Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Bucs GM says winning culture helped keep SB roster together

By Fred Goodall Apr. 02, 2021 06:13 PM EDT