NFL combine a TV spectacle, moneymaker; value under scrutiny
March 6, 2023 GMTThe NFL combine is winding down and it’s clear the annual scouting event that’s evolved into a made-for-TV spectacle continues to be a required stop on the road to a pro football career amid concerns it can be a demeaning process with diminishing value.
Fallout continues from Gruden resignation over emails
October 13, 2021 GMTThe NFL is not planning to make public any of the hundreds of thousands of emails it obtained as part of an investigation of the Washington Football Team, some of which led to the resignation of Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
NBC’s Tirico expresses disappointment in Gruden’s behavior
October 12, 2021 GMTNBC’s Mike Tirico, who was Jon Gruden’s partner for seven years on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” expressed disappointment with Gruden’s behavior after more emails came out on Monday showing a repeated pattern of racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments.
Column: Gruden gone, and it couldn’t have come fast enough
October 12, 2021 GMTJon Gruden might still be coaching had he merely been exposed as a remorseful racist.
His email about union chief DeMaurice Smith's lips was both disturbing and despicable, but it was from a decade ago when Gruden was not coaching in the NFL.
Weekend Sports in Brief
October 11, 2021 GMTFOOTBALL
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jon Gruden again said he is not a racist after his Las Vegas Raiders lost their first game since the revelation of the head coach’s 2011 racial remark about players’ union leader DeMaurice Smith.
Raiders say distractions have nothing to do with emails
October 11, 2021 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t look like a team that started the season 3-0 as they muddled their way through a 20-9 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Instead, they looked sloppy, undisciplined, fazed and distracted.
Jon Gruden again says he’s not a racist after Raiders loss
October 11, 2021 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — Jon Gruden again said he is not a racist after his Las Vegas Raiders lost their first game since the revelation of the head coach's 2011 racial remark about players’ union leader DeMaurice Smith.
Fields throws 1st TD pass, Bears’ defense dominates in Vegas
October 11, 2021 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — Justin Fields hyperextended his left leg and got the wind knocked out of him on a tackle in the second quarter. Although Chicago's rookie quarterback was seriously shaken up, he walked to the sideline and only stayed there for two plays before barging back onto the field.
NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith planning to work 1 more term
October 9, 2021 GMTNFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith is planning to move on after he serves one more term with the union.
The NFLPA's board of player representatives voted Friday to retain Smith as executive director, and union president JC Tretter said in a statement that the upcoming term would be Smith's last.
Reported racist comment from Jon Gruden draws NFL rebuke
October 8, 2021 GMTA report that Jon Gruden used a racist comment about NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith in an email 10 years ago drew a strong and quick rebuke Friday from the NFL.
A Wall Street Journal story noted that Gruden, then working for ESPN and now coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, referred in a racist way to Smith's facial features.
NFL players call for virtual offseason, shun in-person work
April 14, 2021 GMTENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — NFL players were locked out of team headquarters last offseason because of the coronavirus pandemic...
NFL players continue fighting for social justice, diversity
February 5, 2021 GMTTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — NFL players and their union want the league to continue fighting for social justice and they’re still seeking an increase in the number of minority coaches...
NFL union sees no current need for bubble to slow COVID-19
December 8, 2020 GMTThe NFL players believe the season can be completed on time without the league moving into a version of a postseason bubble like other sports have as long as everyone follows the rules already in place meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus...
NFL tells teams training camps will open on time
July 18, 2020 GMTThe NFL has informed teams their training camps will open on time.
League executive Troy Vincent sent a memo to general managers and head coaches on Saturday informing them rookies can report by Tuesday, quarterbacks and injured players by Thursday and all other players can arrive by July 28...
NFLPA wants players tested daily for virus when camps open
July 17, 2020 GMTThe NFL Players Association wants players tested daily for coronavirus, one of the outstanding points in discussions with the NFL over health and safety protocols as the start of training camp draws near...
Union basically goes silent on labor negotiations
January 30, 2020 GMTMIAMI (AP) — While union leaders acknowledged they are in talks with the league about a new labor agreement, they weren't interested in providing much more information about those negotiations...
Union, league preparing “war chests” for 2021 labor talks
January 31, 2019 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Two years before the labor agreement with the NFL runs out, the players' union is gathering a war chest it hopes it doesn't need.
Union leaders, however, expect a work stoppage in 2021, while not exactly inevitable, will be difficult to avoid.