NFL

Philly mayor says no Eagles jersey for William Penn statuePHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia's mayor says he won't jinx the Eagles ahead of their Super Bowl appearance by placing the team's jersey on the statue of William Penn atop City Hall.Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney said Tuesday he wants the city's...

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell optimistic about contract progressLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell says he and the team are making progress on a contract extension.The team has presented an initial offer, and Bell says ''we are a lot closer than we were...

LA Rams hire former UCLA interim coach Fisch as assistantTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Rams have hired former UCLA interim head coach Jedd Fisch as a senior offensive assistant.Rams head coach Sean McVay announced the move Wednesday.Fisch was the Bruins' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last...

NFL rejects veterans group's ad for Super Bowl programMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The NFL has denied advertising space in the Super Bowl program for a veterans group that declined to alter language about standing for the national anthem.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Tuesday that American Veterans, or AMVETS , submitted...

AP Media WriterRatings for NFL conference championships down 8 percentBy DAVID BAUDERNEW YORK (AP) More than 40 million people watched the NFL's two preliminaries for the Super Bowl on Sunday, a drop of more than 8 percent compared to last year's conference championship games.The Nielsen company said an...

Ratings for NFL conference championships down 8 percentNEW YORK (AP) New England quarterback Tom Brady is still television's biggest star during football season.The Nielsen company said that more than 40 million people on Sunday watched the NFL's two preliminaries for the Super Bowl. Viewership was down 8 percent...

Kaepernick, Watt among 5 finalists for 'Whizzer' White AwardWASHINGTON (AP) Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt are among the five finalists for the NFL Players Association's Byron ''Whizzer'' White Award.The award annually recognizes players for exceptional community service in their team cities and hometowns.Bengals quarterback...

Bob Costas left out of NBC's Super Bowl coverageNEW YORK (AP) Bob Costas won't be working the Super Bowl for NBC next month.The longtime broadcaster was not included in the network's lineup for the NFL title game telecast from Minneapolis on Feb. 4, leading to speculation that Costas'...

Kaepernick, Watt among 5 finalists for 'Whizzer' White AwardWASHINGTON (AP) Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt are among the five finalists for the NFL Players Association's Byron ''Whizzer'' White Award.The award annually recognizes players for exceptional community service in their team cities and hometowns.Bengals quarterback...

AP Sports WriterPanthers' Turner to let Newton run, may tweak QB's mechanicsBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner has no plans to restrict Cam Newton's ability to make plays with his feet. As for the quarterback's throwing motion, well that might need a little tweaking.The...

NFL establishes owner-player committee on social justiceNEW YORK (AP) The NFL has established a player-owner committee focusing on social and racial justice initiatives.The league also said Tuesday it is beginning a ''Let's Listen Together'' campaign that includes digital content and commercials highlighting player-led work on equality issues. That...

NFL establishes owner-player committee on social justiceNEW YORK (AP) The NFL has established a player-owner committee focusing on social and racial justice initiatives.The league also said Tuesday it is beginning a ''Let's Listen Together'' campaign that includes digital content and commercials highlighting player-led work on equality issues. That...