Report: Lions’ Matthew Stafford played with broken bones in backVideo
Matthew Stafford has started 128 consecutive games for the Detroit Lions, a streak surpassed in NFL history by only five quarterbacks: Brett Favre, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan. But according to a writer for the team’s official website, he played at least a few of those...
After piggybacking on baseball, NFL stood tall in expansion
George Halas wanted an NFL team in Dallas, and in 1960 the influential founder of the Chicago Bears helped Clint Murchison get one. Less than 10 years later, a league that for decades piggybacked geographically on baseball went from 16 to 26 franchises in a merger with the rival American...
Fans arrive in droves to honor Broncos’ Pat Bowlen at public tributeVideo
DENVER — Some wore full costumes and others sported jerseys, including one Denver Broncos supporter with “P. Bowlen” on the back. Quite a few devotees stood in the rain for about an hour before making their way inside the stadium. The fans arrived in droves Tuesday to pay respect to...
NFL teams up with NCAA for next round of safety improvements
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL’s top medical experts are asking college football physicians and trainers to help make the game safer. They want the NCAA to pitch in, too. Dr. Allen Sills and Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for health and safety initiatives, spent Monday and Tuesday in Indianapolis...
Former XFL, NFL running back Rod Smart, known as ‘He Hate Me,’ found safe after being reported missing in South Carolina
Update: Lancaster County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office has given a positive update about the whereabouts of Rod Smart. The department announced on its Facebook page that Smart has been located and is currently safe. “Mr. Smart has been located and he is safe at this time,” the post read. “We appreciate...
NFL has had great nicknames in its history — including ‘Steel Curtain’
NEW YORK — The memorable moments and teams in NFL history can be summarized by a word or phrase such as the “Steel Curtain” or “America’s Team.” And the NFL has had more than its share of those moments and teams through the years. Even though a list such as...
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen dies at age 75Video
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Pat Bowlen, the Denver Broncos owner who transformed the team from also-rans into NFL champions and helped the league usher in billion-dollar television deals, died. He was 75. In a statement on the team’s website, Bowlen’s family said he died late Thursday night at home surrounded by...
First Call: Pirates’ Melky Cabrera’s rising trade stock; Antonio Brown embraces ‘Hard Knocks’
For “First Call” Wednesday, is Melky Cabrera getting traded? How about Derek Dietrich? Antonio Brown seems pumped for “Hard Knocks.” High praise for a Pitt product in the NFL. And the Pirates first-round pick insists his arm is fine. Will Melky move? MLB.com posted a list of 10 players whose...
Pitt’s Qadree Ollison could be ‘dangerous’ with Falcons’ offense, NFL analyst says
It wasn’t the strongest NFL draft class for running backs. But Pitt’s Qadree Ollison may be one of the most impactful of the bunch. That’s according to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt. Here’s what he said about the Falcons’ fifth-round pick. “In a perfect world for the Falcons, Devonta Freeman and Ito...
O.J. Simpson says ‘life is fine’ after prison
LOS ANGELES — Twenty-five years after the grisly killings that transformed him from Hall of Fame football hero to murder suspect, 71-year-old O.J. Simpson says he is happy and healthy living in Las Vegas, plays golf nearly every day and stays in touch with his children. “Life is fine,” Simpson...
Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. convicted of rapeVideo
SAN DIEGO — Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. — the son of a Hall of Famer who himself earned more than $40 million during his career — has been convicted of raping a 58-year-old homeless woman last year in his picturesque beach community of Encinitas, north of San Diego....
Unretired Witten says he wants to blend in with Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — Jason Witten talks a lot about just wanting to blend in now that he is back for a club-record 16th season with the Dallas Cowboys after a year in retirement. Ask about playing time among a group of decidedly younger tight ends, and, well, the franchise leader...
Richard Dent sees similarities between current Bears, 1985 championsVideo
ROSEMONT, Ill. — To Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent, the Chicago Bears sure have the look of a champion. Dent sees striking similarities between the current team and the 1985 shufflin’ crew that brought home the founding NFL franchise’s lone Super Bowl championship. That team dominated like no...
Like the NFL, its uniforms have evolved over 100 years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tex Schramm often called Gil Brandt into his office to look at the fabric swatches draped all over his furniture, wanting another opinion on the right jersey and pants combination for the Dallas Cowboys. He hit on a winning combination. Decades later, Cowboys jerseys remain among the...
Chase Winovich keeping low profile in early workouts with Patriots
While he was in college at Michigan, Chase Winovich was known for his wild hair and his controversial comments. Now that he is employed by the New England Patriots, the Thomas Jefferson graduate has toned down half of his act. Winovich’s hair remains long, but he’s kept his comments generic...
Tom Brady setting his own pace for 20th season with PatriotsVideo
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Entering his 20th year in the NFL, Tom Brady probably has seen everything and tried everything to prepare himself for the rigors of the next season. Perhaps that’s why nobody connected with the New England Patriots has been terribly alarmed that their veteran quarterback has skipped voluntary...
First Call: Could Clint Frazier-to-Pirates talk heat back up?; analyst picks Bills over Patriots
Thursday’s “First Call” includes a Penn State alum making a crazy NFL pick. A Penn State commit staying true to State College. And a reason why the Yankees may be shopping Clint Frazier to the Pirates again. Say what?! NFL Network analyst — and Penn State product — Michael Robinson...
Podcast part 4: Going one-on-one with Mike Ditka
What is Mike Ditka’s favorite thing to do when he returns to the Pittsburgh area? What is his favorite type of cigar? Gus Frerotte and Dave Hager go one-on-one with the former Pitt All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer in the final segment of this week’s “Huddle Up with...
Cops: Women vanished with Le’Veon Bell’s jewelry worth $500KVideo
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Authorities say two female acquaintances vanished with more than half a million dollars in jewelry from star running back Le’Veon Bell’s Florida home. Hollywood police said Bell returned from the gym May 25 and found the women gone and his jewelry missing. The police report obtained by...
First Call: Browns drama starts to emerge; bunt breaks up no-hitter
In “First Call” Wednesday, the Browns are dealing with some drama of their own. Arizona is still mad about Super Bowl XLIII. And a team broke up a no-hitter with a bunt. Browns drama The Steelers have had their share of drama in recent years while attempting to win the...
Podcast part 3: Mike Ditka talks coaching 1980s Chicago Bears
The 1985 Chicago Bears offense couldn’t help but be good, having practiced daily against one of the NFL’s all-time great defenses, Mike Ditka said. “If we didn’t defense ourselves, we were going to get killed,” Ditka told Gus Frerotte in the third part of this week’s “Huddle Up with Gus”...
Aaron Rodgers, Packers looking to find options in passing gameVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — For most of his career, Aaron Rodgers has had plenty of good options at receiver. However, after going from Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson at the start of his tenure as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback to Nelson, Randall Cobb and...
Raiders look to change story on defense after 2018 strugglesVideo
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The story line around the Oakland Raiders last season was a consistent and frustrating one. After trading away star pass-rusher Khalil Mack following a contract holdout, the Raiders never were able to fill that void on defense and were the worst in the league when it came...
Le’Veon Bell talks trash, hits the practice field for Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Le’Veon Bell couldn’t control himself. Well, mostly his mouth. The New York Jets running back was back on a practice field for the first time in 17 months and was downright giddy. And he let his new teammates on defense know all about it. “It...
Giants safety Jabrill Peppers ready for homecoming
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants safety Jabrill Peppers has enjoyed beginning minicamp with his new team. “It’s been tremendous,” said Peppers, who was traded to the Giants as part of the Odell Beckham, Jr. deal in March. “I definitely feel fortunate. It’s definitely exciting to be here. I spent some...
