NFL football
FILE - Japan's Michael Leitch is tackled by South Africa's Steven Kitshoff during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match at Tokyo Stadium between Japan and South Africa in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 20, 2019. A little more than a year away from the next World Cup in France, Leitch is no longer the captain but still a key member of the brains trust that drives. He looks forward to the tournament where Japan is drawn in group D with England, Argentina, Samoa and one other qualifier. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

By Paul Newberry May. 13, 2022 04:12 PM EDT

Rugby Australia President David Codey speaks during a media event ahead of the final vote for the hosting of the Rugby World Cups in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, May 12, 2022. World Rugby will announce the host nations for the men's and women's World Cups for the period 2025-2033 with Australia heavily favored to host the men's 2027 and women's tournaments in 2029. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
US to host men's and women's Rugby World Cups for first time

By Steve Douglas May. 12, 2022 01:58 PM EDT

Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning the men's 50 freestyle during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, June 20, 2021, in Omaha, Neb. The next U.S. Olympic swimming team will be determined in a football stadium. USA Swimming announced Tuesday, March 29, 2022 that its trials for the 2024 Paris Games will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium, the massive home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)
Indy lands 2024 US Olympic swim trials, ending Omaha's run

By Paul Newberry Mar. 29, 2022 11:17 AM EDT

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay holds the Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
NBC's Tirico looks to finish Olympics after Super Sunday

By Joe Reedy Feb. 15, 2022 06:54 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller holds up the Lombardi Trophy after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Nielsen company's list of top 20 prime-time programs

Feb. 15, 2022 05:12 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) pulls up one of his daughters on stage while celebrating with offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Super Bowl has 101 million TV viewers, up from 2021

By David Bauder Feb. 15, 2022 04:40 PM EST

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

United States' Rebecca Hamilton, left, and Nina Roth, right, watch a small television screen showing the Super Bowl before a women's curling match at the Beijing Winter Olympics Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Super Bowl on the minds of Olympic competitors in China

By Noah Trister Feb. 14, 2022 05:55 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 12 1937 — Cleveland is granted an NFL franchise. The Rams play in Cleveland for nine years before moving to Los Angeles. After the 1994 season,...

SoFi Stadium stands Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The stadium is the site of NFL football's Super Bowl 56, scheduled to be played Feb. 13. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl 56: A viewer's guide to get you through Sunday

By Joe Reedy Feb. 08, 2022 04:03 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 07, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 8 1936 — Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago halfback and Heisman Trophy winner, is the first player ever selected in the NFL Draft. The...

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico works the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Tirico is about to give new meaning to double duty when NBC broadcasts the Olympics and Super Bowl next month. Tirico will anchor the network’s primetime coverage of the Beijing Games, but will also host the Super Bowl pregame show from Los Angeles on Feb. 13 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, File)
Super Bowl/Olympics Sunday about to become routine for NBC

By Joe Reedy Feb. 06, 2022 06:15 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 03, 2022 10:59 AM EST
Feb. 8 1936 — Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago halfback and Heisman Trophy winner, is the first player ever selected in the NFL Draft. The...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 03, 2022 10:57 AM EST
Body Feb. 4 1861 — The Philadelphia Athletics beat Charter Oak 36-27 in a baseball game played on frozen Litchfield Pond in Brooklyn, N.Y...

This handout provided by USA Football shows U.S. women's flag football team defensive back Deliah Autry (10) of Tampa, Fla., celebrating with teammates during a game against Austria at the International Federation of American Football Flag Football world championships in Jerusalem, Israel, Dec. 8, 2021. The NFL is helping wave the flag for flag football to become part of the Olympics. The target is the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. (Adam Pintar/USA Football via AP)
Flag Football seeks spot in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

By Barry Wilner Jan. 29, 2022 02:44 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico works the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Tirico is about to give new meaning to double duty when NBC broadcasts the Olympics and Super Bowl next month. Tirico will anchor the network’s primetime coverage of the Beijing Games, but will also host the Super Bowl pregame show from Los Angeles on Feb. 13 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, File)
Double duty: Tirico to host NBC's Olympic, Super Bowl shows

By Joe Reedy Jan. 13, 2022 03:20 PM EST

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Just 13 games into his tenure, Meyer was mercifully fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Meyer out of the running for coach of the year, and no idea where Bobby Petrino ended up, we'll give this Newby trophy to Ted Lasso. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars 11/28/2021

Dec. 31, 2021 02:58 AM EST

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers celebrates after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 24-22. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers 12/25/2021

Dec. 31, 2021 02:58 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers 12/26/2021

Dec. 31, 2021 02:58 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron is seen, March 1967. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST