Race and ethnicity
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

Green Bay Packers' wide receiver Devin Funchess runs through a practice station during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Packers WR Funchess apologizes for slur against Asians

Aug. 08, 2021 11:44 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

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 - 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 - 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

FILE - This Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, file photo shows Pittsburgh Steelers' Najeh Davenport in Pittsburgh. 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/Gene J. Puskar, File)
NFL pledges to halt 'race-norming,' review Black claims

By Maryclaire Dale Jun. 02, 2021 02:23 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

Bucs CB Davis apologizes for tweeting anti-Asian slur

By Fred Goodall Apr. 05, 2021 04:39 PM EDT
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis has apologized for tweeting an anti-Asian slur, saying he didn’t understand the offensive...

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport (44) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, file photo. A federal judge on Monday, March 8, 2021, dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. Davenport was denied an award but would have qualified had they been white, according to their lawsuit. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Judge tosses suit over 'race-norming' in NFL dementia tests

By Maryclaire Dale Mar. 08, 2021 11:49 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)
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

FILE - Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a news conference announcing his retirement in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, file photo. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet in place. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Jags' Meyer defends hiring ex-Iowa coach accused of racism

By Mark Long Feb. 11, 2021 12:11 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

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