NFL

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said he didn't want to be answering questions all week about his status for Sunday's season opener at Miami. So he walked through the locker room late Monday morning, welcomed reporters to join him and broke the news: "I'm good to go....

AP Pro Football WriterBroncos' Jamaal Charles shares story of 'outcast' childhoodBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) For most of his NFL career, Jamaal Charles hid the challenges of his childhood when he was badgered over his reading disability before finding a lifeline in the Special Olympics.''I feel like I...

Patriots player Gronkowski gives $25,000 to kids' hospitalPORTLAND, Maine (AP) New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has visited a hospital in Maine to make a donation and meet with kids.Gronkowski, his father and two of his brothers delivered a $25,000 check to The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital...

Patriots WR Eric Decker retires from NFLFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Receiver Eric Decker says he is retiring from the NFL after an eight-year career with the Broncos, Jets and Titans.Decker had been in training camp with the Patriots this summer, but it wasn't clear he would make the roster....

Titans waive Mettenberger, clearing space for 4 new signeesNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans have waived quarterback Zach Mettenberger, making space to sign four players who earned jobs after trying out during rookie minicamp.Mettenberger, a sixth-round draft pick out of LSU in 2014, is 0-10 in his career...

AP Pro Football WriterRaiders place QB Nathan Peterman, CB Isaiah Johnson on IRBy JOSH DUBOWALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders have placed third-string quarterback Nathan Peterman on injured reserve with an elbow injury.The Raiders made the move on Monday, a day after claiming DeShone Kizer off waivers from...

AP Sports WriterSteelers rookie Highsmith not focused on being "Bud Light"By WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Alex Highsmith is not trying to imitate Bud Dupree. There's no point. The rookie Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker understands he doesn't have Dupree's mixture of experience, size and physicality.Yet Highsmith also knows he doesn't have...

Packers says no long-term concern after Matthews hit on noseGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Lucas Patrick hasn't played baseball since he was a child. With one swing of the bat, he broke the nose of one of the ''faces of the franchise.''At the Green...

Center-guard Evan Boehm traded by Colts to DolphinsMIAMI (AP) Center-guard Evan Boehm has been traded by the Colts to the Dolphins for a conditional 2020 draft pick.Miami also traded a 2020 seventh-round draft pick to the Vikings for guard Danny Isidora, who made three starts in two seasons...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Jameis Winston threw for 208 yards and a touchdown, Tampa Bay held Cam Newton in check and came up with a late goal-line stand and the Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 20-14 early Friday to give coach Bruce Arians his first victory with the team. Chris Godwin...

AP Pro Football WriterShanahan should have heeded Belichick's Fangio blueprintBy ARNIE STAPLETONA year ago, Bill Belichick borrowed heavily from Vic Fangio's blueprints to throttle the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.Fangio's brilliant game plan in the Bears' 15-6 win over LA in Week 14 provided the backbone...

Foam cheesehead is hot when Packers do wellBy Associated PressMILWAUKEE (AP) There’s no milk, bacteria, fermentation or refrigeration at this Wisconsin cheese factory. That’s because they are making foam cheeseheads.Ralph Bruno invented the oversized yellow wedge hat in 1987 from his mother’s couch stuffing and it has since...