NFL

Mike Ditka apologizes for comment on racial oppressionCHICAGO (AP) Mike Ditka has apologized for saying he wasn't aware any racial oppression over the last 100 years in the United States.The famed Chicago Bears coach came under fire for making the comments during a radio interview on Monday about...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Ravens offer Saints WR Snead 2-year contractBy DAVID GINSBURGOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the Baltimore Ravens have offered New Orleans Saints restricted free agent receiver Willie Snead a two-year, $10.4 million contract.The person spoke...

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald noticed a positive change in the organization following last year's turbulent season. McDonald also noticed a difference in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the chemistry surrounding the team as a whole after the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since...

AP Sports WriterChiefs, Smith head into offseason with even more questionsBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The final pass Alex Smith threw this season was an incompletion over the middle on fourth down, one that would have given the Kansas City Chiefs a chance to kick a winning...

AP Sports WriterFuture Bills stadium plans inch to forefront of discussionBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills' long-term future in Western New York was secured when Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the franchise following the death of Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson in 2014.Where the team...

AP Sports WriterBrowns get to practice as 'weight' of Steelers game sinks inBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Browns rang in the new year by practicing. With everything else that transpired over the past week, that was a major victory.They'll go for an even bigger one Sunday.After days...

AP Sports WriterBlank's approach made 'Inflategate' a blip on Falcons' radarBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) The ''Deflategate'' scandal has hovered over the Patriots for parts of three seasons, thanks to appeals of Tom Brady's four-game suspension, finally served at the beginning of this season.New England's Super Bowl opponents had...

Associated PressMitchell Trubisky takes final rookie step against Vikings.By GENE CHAMBERLAINLAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky never expected to line up under center only five games into his rookie season with the Chicago Bears.With one game left, Trubisky would now like nothing better than to provide tangible...

Bugel, Thomas win PFWA's assistant coach awardBy The Associated PressJoe Bugel and Emmitt Thomas are winners of the 2018 Paul ''Dr. Z'' Zimmerman Award given by the Professional Football Writers of America for work as an NFL assistant coach.Bugel spent 27 of his 32 NFL seasons as an assistant...

AP Pro Football WriterNFL tells teams they must hold training camps at homeBy BARRY WILNERAll 32 NFL teams have been told by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Most NFL teams stay at their training complexes year-round, but...

Dolphins assistant Caldwell to take leave for health issueDAVIE, Fla. (AP) Miami Dolphins assistant coach Jim Caldwell will take a leave of absence to address health issues that he says ''require my full attention.''Caldwell was hired in February to be the Dolphins' assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach....

AP Sports WriterBrowns and Giants meet in prime time with playoffs on lineBy TOM CANAVANEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The Cleveland Browns are coming to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants with one thing in mind: the playoffs.That's it.Kevin Stefanski's team isn't looking to rebound from an...