Colin Kaepernick
FILE - United States' Megan Rapinoe, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's World Cup final soccer match between the United States and Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, July 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Rapinoe's role changing as US preps for World Cup qualifying

By Anne M. Peterson Jul. 03, 2022 03:26 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry makes a save late in the second half against the Carolina Courage, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, in Cary, N.C. The U.S. women's national team has not only been wildly successful on the field, the players have also been unabashedly outspoken, using their platform to advocate for equal rights for themselves and others. (AP Photo/Stan Gilliland, File)
US women's soccer equal pay victory decades in the making

By Anne M. Peterson May. 21, 2022 02:43 AM EDT

FILE - Britain's Katie Ormerod competes during the women's slopestyle qualifying at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Winter Olympians champion climate, peace amid muted activism

By Kelvin Chan Feb. 15, 2022 03:06 AM EST

Australia players pose for a group photo with an indigenous flag prior to women's soccer match against New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Soccer players kneel to start new era of Olympic activism

By Rob Harris Jul. 21, 2021 06:06 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. (Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers via AP)
The biggest win: In 2020, NFL found ways to play every game

By Eddie Pells Feb. 07, 2021 12:08 PM EST

Executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith speaks during a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LV, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Column: On eve of Super Bowl, Goodell takes a victory lap

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 04, 2021 05:38 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)
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

FILE - In this July 7, 2019, file photo, United States' Megan Rapinoe scores her side's opening goal from the penalty shot during the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France. Rapinoe has returned to the U.S. national team after sitting out most of last year following the SheBelieves Cup tournament, joining the squad for its January training camp in Florida. (AP Photo/David Vincent, File)
Rapinoe returns to US national team after nearly a year

By Anne M. Peterson Jan. 12, 2021 06:07 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs through a hole during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The Latest: Browns open 28-0 lead over Steelers

By The Associated Press Jan. 10, 2021 01:12 PM EST

FILE - Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears a protective mask due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, featuring the name "George Floyd", while arriving on court to face Shelby Rogers, of the United States, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, in this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 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 Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

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

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Kyle Larson sits in his car before the final practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Kyle Larson was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing, a day after nearly every one of his sponsors dropped the star driver for using a racial slur during a live stream of a virtual race. Of course, in a sport with an extremely checkered racial history, he's already lined up a new gig for 2021 at Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Column: 2020 is perfect for socially distanced Newby Awards

By Paul Newberry Dec. 25, 2020 12:18 PM EST

A mail-in official ballot for the 2020 General Election in the United States is shown Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 in Havertown, Pa. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma, File)
EXPLAINER: From the 2020 election, some new political terms

By Deb Riechmann Nov. 02, 2020 01:44 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, right, makes a touchdown catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs safety Rayshawn Jenkins, bottom left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Latest: Butker's FG lifts Chiefs to OT win over Chargers

By The Associated Press Sep. 20, 2020 12:47 PM EDT

Members of the Los Angeles Rams stand and kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Column: Sample size is small but NFL wins week No. 1

By Tim Dahlberg Sep. 15, 2020 05:23 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
The Latest: Newton wins with new team but Brady, Rivers lose

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2020 02:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event on manufacturing and buying American-made products at UAW Region 1 headquarters in Warren, Mich. On Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting Biden wants to introduce a 3% annual federal tax on your home. But nothing in Biden’s tax plan indicates homeowners would be subject to an additional 3% federal property tax. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

The Associated Press Sep. 11, 2020 04:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. Freeman is still unsigned as Week 1 of the NFL season begins. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Freeman, Miller, Thomas among big NFL names still unsigned

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 07, 2020 05:14 PM EDT

Members of the Baylor football team including Dave Aranda, left, bow their heads during a prayer after marching around campus, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Waco, Texas, protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
Athlete power: ‘Shut up and play' is tossed from the game

By Eddie Pells Aug. 29, 2020 12:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2020, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during NFL football training camp in Cincinnati. Teams that could struggle mightily after an offseason of constant upheaval are the Giants, Panthers, Browns, Raiders, Jaguars and Lions — all non-playoff clubs a year ago. Do not expect an easy transition for top draft pick Burrow, either. A young quarterback going to a tailender is difficult enough under normal circumstances. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)
NFL 2020: Who really knows what to expect on field and off?

By Barry Wilner Aug. 28, 2020 12:07 PM EDT