Will Smith
Youth players with the Gulf Coast Sharks Youth Football Club playing a tackle football game on Sept. 10, 2022, in Gautier, Miss. The league's founder, Joel Fields, said youth football leagues are often unregulated. Some leagues allow children as young as five years old to play tackle football, he said. (Joel Fields via AP)
Football fans grapple with violent side of a beloved sport

By Jocelyn Noveck Jan. 05, 2023 01:35 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Column: Heady times for the NFL's bottom feeders

By Paul Newberry Jul. 29, 2022 06:02 PM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman speaks during an introductory news conference at spring training baseball, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Gut punch for the A-T-L: Freeman, Ryan both depart

By Paul Newberry Mar. 22, 2022 01:42 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith celebrates the team's win over the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the baseball World Series, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. (Kevin M. Cox/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)
Braves at Astros 11/2/2021

Nov. 03, 2021 02:57 AM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith congratulates pitcher Kenley Jansen after Game 5 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers defeated the Braves 11-2. The Braves lead the series 3-2 games. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Braves at Dodgers 10/21/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 02:29 PM EDT

FILE - Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks to the media after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Detroit, in this Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, file photo. Campbell, Detroit’s winless coach, said former NFL quarterback Drew Brees reached out to him after the Lions’ latest loss last Sunday. Campbell and Brees became close in New Orleans, where Campbell was the assistant head coach for the final five seasons of the quarterback’s playing career.” (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
Saints to add the late linebacker Sam Mills to ring of honor

By The Associated Press Oct. 15, 2021 03:24 PM EDT

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, right, is congratulated by Fernando Tatis Jr. after Cronenworth hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, June 21, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Darvish fans 11, Padres get 2 big homers to beat Dodgers 6-2

By Bernie Wilson Jun. 22, 2021 02:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith appears before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. The man convicted of killing former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith has asked for a new trial because the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that split verdicts are unconstitutional in state criminal cases. Appeal attorney Eric Santana filed a request Wednesday, April 22, 2020, asking for a new trial for Cardell Hayes based on the 6-3 decision handed down Monday, news outlets reported. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Saints-Giants 12/9/2012

Apr. 23, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

Entertainer Jay-Z arrives for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A-Rod: Super Bowl should be in Miami every year

By Mesfin Fekadu Feb. 02, 2020 04:50 PM EST

FILE - This Jan. 17, 2012, file photo shows New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks at a season-ending news conference in Metairie, La. In March 2012, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Saints coach Sean Payton for one season, general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt for six games because players were paid bonuses for injuring opposing team players. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
NFL At 100: A look at the biggest scandals in NFL history

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 06, 2019 12:10 PM EDT