Race and ethnicity
FILE - Driver Bubba Wallace wears a Black Lives Matter shirt as he prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Martinsville, Va., in this Wednesday, June 10, 2020, file photo. In a most unusual year already thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic, many athletes took unprecedented steps when a nationwide reckoning on race spilled into the streets of American cities after the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 29, 2020 01:41 PM EST

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf catches a pass as he warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks 12/27/2020

Dec. 27, 2020 03:22 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant works out prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens 12/27/2020

Dec. 27, 2020 12:10 PM EST

NFL stars joined students in virtual chats about racism

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 25, 2020 01:52 AM EST
For several NFL stars, speaking out against social injustice meant speaking to youngsters about racism. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce,...

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, file photo, Curtis Flowers flanked by sister Priscilla Ward, right, exits the Winston Choctaw Regional Correctional Facility in Louisville, Miss. The NFL says it is honoring Flowers, a Black man from Mississippi who was imprisoned more than 22 years. He was freed in late 2019, months after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the last of his several convictions in a quadruple murder case. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
NFL honors Mississippi man freed after 22 years in prison

By Emily Wagster Pettus Dec. 24, 2020 03:06 PM EST

Players take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the English Premier League soccer match between Southampton and Sheffield United, at St. Mary's stadium in Southampton, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Adam Davy/Pool via AP, File)
Sheffield United FC vs Southampton FC 12/13/2020

Dec. 24, 2020 11:06 AM EST

FILE - In this this June 10, 2020, file photo, driver Bubba Wallace wears a Black Lives Matter shirt as he prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Dec. 24, 2020 11:06 AM EST

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) runs after a catch as Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
NFL stages Careers in Football Forum for HBCU students

By The Associated Press Dec. 11, 2020 03:15 PM EST

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson wears a T-shirt that reads "We Want Justice" in support of Black Lives Matter as he warms up for an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks 12/6/2020

Dec. 06, 2020 02:50 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) lands in the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncosduring the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Rams players award $750,000 to social justice programs

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2020 11:37 AM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11/29/2020

Nov. 29, 2020 04:16 PM EST

A sign bears the name Lumen Field, the new moniker of the stadium where the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team play, before the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Seattle. The field name was changed because CenturyLink, the current name-rights holder, has rebranded to Lumen Technologies. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks 11/19/2020

Nov. 19, 2020 07:36 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2017, file photo, then-Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton (88) has a photo taken with former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Acho has enjoyed a spectacular rise off the field, beginning with his desire to take on racism. Acho celebrated his 30th birthday this week with the official release of his book: “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” His YouTube series with the same name has already amassed over 65 million views in five months.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho tackles racism in new book

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 12, 2020 04:23 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2017, file photo, then-Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton (88) has a photo taken with former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Acho has enjoyed a spectacular rise off the field, beginning with his desire to take on racism. Acho celebrated his 30th birthday this week with the official release of his book: “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” His YouTube series with the same name has already amassed over 65 million views in five months.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys 11/19/2017

Nov. 12, 2020 11:04 AM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith, left, walks past teammate quarterback Kyle Allen, center, during warmups before the start of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
New York Giants at Washington Football Team 11/8/2020

Nov. 08, 2020 12:00 PM EST

The Michael Jordan statue stands in front of an I Voted banner on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in the atrium of the United Center, transformed for the first time into a super voting site in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Voting, activism replace practice, games in US sports world

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 03, 2020 06:43 PM EST

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson wears a T-shirt that reads "We Want Justice" in support of Black Lives Matter before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks 11/1/2020

Nov. 01, 2020 03:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2018, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins (27) and New England Patriots' Devin McCourty answer questions in St. Paul, Minn. Jenkins has teamed with fellow NFL players to launch a venture capital fund, Broad Street Ventures on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. The fund focuses on late stage and growth stage technology and consumer products. Jenkins and co-founder Ralonda Johnson recruited additional NFL players and industry leaders to represent the fund. Among them are defensive backs Devin and Jason McCourty of the Patriots. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Malcolm Jenkins says therapy helps him cope with stress

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 14, 2020 04:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 10, 2019, file photo, Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, left, and general manager Chris Grier walk off the field at NFL rookie camp in Davie, Fla. Flores and Grier are among the six Black coaches, general managers and high-ranking executives in the NFL. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
NFL players past and present want more action from owners

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 02, 2020 02:45 AM EDT

An airplane tows a banner that reads "How About Them Cowboys" in the sky above CenturyLink Field before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks 9/27/2020

Sep. 27, 2020 03:48 PM EDT