Pandemics
FILE- In this Oct. 15, 2019, file photo, Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, speaks during a news conference at the at the football league's fall meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Playing a season through a pandemic did not take the NFL's attention off other health issues, specifically concussions with the league finding those dropped about 5% in 2020. Sills said the league had 262 cases of COVID-19 among players and 463 cases among coaches, staff and other personnel. The NFL had an overall test positivity rate from Aug. 1 through the end of January of 0.08%, well below the country's positivity rate and almost all the league's markets. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
NFL: Concussions down about 5%, masks limited flu cases

By Teresa M. Walker Feb. 03, 2021 06:03 PM EST

In this image from video, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks during a White House briefing on the Biden administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington. (White House via AP)
Fauci warns against Super Bowl parties to avoid virus spread

Feb. 03, 2021 08:28 AM EST

CDC publishes paper on NFL's efforts to play 2020 season

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 25, 2021 01:42 PM EST
The NFL partnered with the Centers for Disease Control to share its extensive work to reach the Super Bowl on time during a pandemic-altered season, hoping the...

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Players' Association Executive Director Donald Fehr listens during a press conference in Columbus, Ohio. Like the NBA, the NHL is going forward with a season without a bubble. Commissioner Gary Bettman, Players' Association executive director Don Fehr and other top officials explain how hockey got to this point with a CBA that may have only staved off headaches and playing in mostly empty home arenas to start. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
NHL gambles on getting through pandemic outside a bubble

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 12, 2021 02:47 PM EST

El quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Baker Mayfield celebra la victoria ante los Steelers de Pittsburgh, el domingo 3 de enero de 2021. (AP Foto/David Richard)
Cruel twist: Browns lose coach for playoffs due to COVID-19

By Tom Withers Jan. 05, 2021 11:28 AM EST

FILE- In this Oct. 15, 2019, file photo, Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, speaks during a news conference at the at the football league's fall meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The league is pressing forward with its goal of playing the Super Bowl as scheduled in Tampa on Feb. 7. What often seemed improbable during the COVID-10 pandemic has become quite achievable. "Contact tracing is the thing people are not talking the most about, but it is foundational to our success," said Sills. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
NFL has pulled off improbable task of playing amid pandemic

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 29, 2020 02:13 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in in Game 6 to win baseball's World Series in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Amid anguish of pandemic, sports offered memorable moments

By John Marshall Dec. 25, 2020 01:01 PM EST

Therese Johaug of Norway wears a protective face mask after finishing the women's cross country skiing classic style 10-kilometer competition at the FIS World Cup Ruka Nordic event in Kuusamo, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva via AP)
The Latest: Boise State-UNLV football game canceled

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2020 09:54 AM EST

A fan wearing a face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus cheers during Game 2 of the Korean Series, the Korea Baseball Organization's championship round, between Doosan Bears and NC Dinos at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The Latest: Iowa St women's hoops coach in quarantine

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2020 01:36 PM EST

Louisville fans sit socially distant during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Charlottesville, Va. (Erin Edgerton/The Daily Progress via AP)
The Latest: No. 15 Marshall postpones game vs Charlotte

By The Associated Press Nov. 16, 2020 11:18 AM EST

Fans attending the NCAA college football game between Northern Illinois and Buffalo on Wednesday night, Nov. 4, 2020, in DeKalb, Ill., follow guidelines about mask-wearing and social distancing. (Mark Busch/Daily Chronicle via AP)
The Latest: Thai golfing sisters contract COVID-19

By The Associated Press Nov. 13, 2020 10:12 AM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Latest: Knicks shut training center after positive tests

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2020 10:40 AM EST

Fans wearing protective face masks watch the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Jose Sena Goulao, Pool via AP)
The Latest: Lions put Jalen Elliott on reserve/COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 08:34 AM EST

La Vuelta fans wearing face mask protection to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, keep safe a distance behind barriers, before the start of the eight stage of La Vuelta between Logrono and Alto de Moncalvillo, in Logrono, northern Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Latest: Texans place OL Sharping on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Oct. 28, 2020 11:14 AM EDT

Injured Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay takes part in drills during NFL football practice Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lindsay: juggling, uncertainty just part of 2020 NFL season

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 10, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers' Jordan Reed, right, tries to grab a pass over New York Giants' Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
On Football: COVID-19's effect on the NFL now and up ahead

By Barry Wilner Oct. 02, 2020 04:02 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes as he is pressured by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs begin title defense with 34-20 victory over Texans

By Dave Skretta Sep. 10, 2020 11:28 PM EDT

Fans arrive at Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Return of football renews fears over more virus spread

By Carla K. Johnson, Astrid Galvan And Dave Skretta Sep. 10, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

Chiefs' Duvernay-Tardif set for Harvard online classes

Sep. 09, 2020 06:23 PM EDT
MONTREAL (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will spend the next few months studying at one of the world’s most prestigious universities...

FILE - New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. Butler was an "invited tryout" player who got his chance in May of 2014. Nine months later, his first career interception saved the Super Bowl for the Patriots when he dug inside Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette to pick off Russell Wilson's pass from the 1 with 20 seconds remaining to preserve New England's 28-24 win. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
Long shots in NFL face even longer odds during pandemic

By Arnie Stapleton Sep. 03, 2020 02:32 PM EDT