Walter Payton
FILE -Former Cincinnati Bengals' Anthony Munoz holds open his jacket during a "Ring of Honor" ceremony during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Cincinnati. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has hired Anthony Muñoz as its first Chief Football Relationship Officer. The hall said Thursday, May 12, 2022 that the 1998 inductee will engage with current and prospective business partners and sponsors; be involved in philanthropic efforts for the museum; promoting the hall's mission and initiatives.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Anthony Munoz hired as Hall of Fame relationship officer

May. 12, 2022 05:00 PM EDT

FILE - Fayetteville State defensive back Joshua Williams participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. NFL.com gives the 6-foot-3, 197-pound Williams a grade of 6.18 — an above-average backup who may eventually become a starter _ though it's unclear where that puts him in next week's draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Division II star emerges among NFL's small-school prospects

By Michael Marot Apr. 19, 2022 11:42 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) stretches before an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward has agreed to a five-year, $100.5 million contract extension with the team, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday, April 18, 2022.(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File)
AP source: Browns, CB Ward agree on $100M contract extension

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2022 03:11 PM EDT

3-time Pro Bowl safety, activist Malcolm Jenkins retires

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 30, 2022 09:31 AM EDT
Malcolm Jenkins is retiring after a 13-year NFL career in which he established himself as one of the league’s best all-around safeties, most durable players and...

New York Giants release veteran safety Logan Ryan

Mar. 17, 2022 05:31 PM EDT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have released veteran safety Logan Ryan and re-signed backup offensive lineman Korey Cunningham. The...

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Myles Jack watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, on Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville followed its free-agent spending spree with a cost-saving move: cutting veteran linebacker and defensive captain Myles Jack on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Jaguars cut veteran LB Myles Jack to create $8M in cap space

By Mark Long Mar. 15, 2022 05:51 PM EDT

Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth holds up the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy during the team's victory parade in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, following their win Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Rams' Whitworth retires after 16 years capped by first ring

By Greg Beacham Mar. 15, 2022 12:17 PM EDT

FILE - Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Joe Noteboom (70) works against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Noteboom has agreed to a three-year deal to stay with the Los Angeles Rams. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Champion Rams re-sign LT Noteboom, C Allen to 3-year deals

By Greg Beacham Mar. 14, 2022 01:25 PM EDT

Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams receives the NFL Man of the Year Award at the NFL Honors show Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NFL Players gather for greater good at Payton event

By Andrew Destin Feb. 12, 2022 02:33 AM EST

Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys receives the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at the NFL Honors show Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers earns 4th MVP award, 2nd in a row

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2022 10:57 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, left, greets offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth during an NFL football practice Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., ahead of their NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Whitworth excited to go against former team in Super Bowl

By Joe Reedy Feb. 01, 2022 07:57 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) pulls in a reception in front of Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the second half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Bucs WR Mike Evans focused on team, not individual success

By Fred Goodall Jan. 19, 2022 07:49 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) fumbles the football after getting hit by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Saints' Jordan not letting up in 2nd decade, on field or off

By Brett Martel Dec. 26, 2021 12:14 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts to a referee call during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Eagles' playoff run goes on with Sirianni out with COVID-19

By Les Bowen Dec. 22, 2021 06:38 PM EST

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson warms up before taking on the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game Oct. 2, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. Researchers diagnosed former NFL player Jackson, who was found dead in a Florida hotel room in February 2021, as suffering from stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Study: Former NFL receiver Vincent Jackson had stage 2 CTE

Dec. 16, 2021 04:41 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns' harrowing escape keeps playoff push from derailing

By Tom Withers Dec. 13, 2021 03:02 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams (31) runs with the ball as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs roll to record-setting 48-9 victory over Raiders

By Dave Skretta Dec. 12, 2021 04:23 PM EST

Former Indianapolis Colts' Robert Mathis, right, reacts after being inducted into the Ring of Honor by Colts owner Jim Irsay during a ceremony at halftime in an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Colts owner donates $3 million for mental health studies

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2021 12:19 PM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers center Corey Linsley (63) against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Denver. Corey Linsley has made an impact on and off the field in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Linsley, who signed with the Bolts in the offseason after seven seasons in Green Bay, has provided stability to the offensive line and is the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Linsley making big impact for Chargers on and off field

By Joe Reedy Dec. 08, 2021 10:14 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38) intercepts a pass as teammate Tyrann Mathieu (32) watches late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Chiefs' Mathieu making important plays on and off the field

By Dave Skretta Dec. 08, 2021 03:29 PM EST