ROGER GOODELL

The NFL filed a motion asking a Nevada court to dismiss former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s lawsuit against the league, saying the accusations that the the NFL leaked Gruden’s old, offensive emails are “baseless” and “should be dismissed for failure to state a single viable cause of action.”.

The NFL will hold a moment of silence before all of its games on Sunday to honor Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden. “As you know, the NFL lost a true giant on Tuesday with the passing of John Madden,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote earlier this week in a memo to teams. >> John Madden dies at 85, NFL saysMadden, who coached in Oakland from 1969 to 1978, led the Raiders to a 103-32-7 regular-season record and won Super Bowl XI after the 1976 season. More notably, he became the face of the video game “Madden NFL,” which originated in 1988 as “John Madden Football.”Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 33 John Madden through the years 1969: Head Coach John Madden, of the Oakland Raiders, on the sidelines during a game on November 2, 1969 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

John Madden has died at the age of 85.

Many gamers will be receiving the latest edition of the “Madden” video game for the holidays.

Only unvaccinated players and those experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested starting Sunday under the NFL’s revised protocols.

NFL Meetings Super Bowl Las Vegas Football Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference a news conference at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. NFL team owners voted unanimously to award Super Bowl LVIII, scheduled for Feb. 11, 2024, to Las Vegas during a meeting Wednesday morning in Dallas. Still, Commissioner Roger Goodell said there were no plans to cancel or postpone Cleveland's home against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. Some others may use a different word.”The Super Bowl will be at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for the first time this season.

NFL Meetings Super Bowl Las Vegas Football Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference a news conference at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. NFL team owners voted unanimously to award Super Bowl LVIII, scheduled for Feb. 11, 2024, to Las Vegas during a meeting Wednesday morning in Dallas. Still, Commissioner Roger Goodell said there were no plans to cancel or postpone Cleveland's home against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. “It's a big day for the city of Las Vegas.

A person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that the NFL is planning “significant changes” to its COVID-19 protocols amid the worst three-day stretch for the league during the pandemic, The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details haven’t been finalized, said the league and the NFL Players Association are discussing three main areas: testing protocols; return to play guidelines to allow asymptomatic players who’ve tested positive to...

2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees The Walter Payton Man of the Year Trophy on the field prior to Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The NFL on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, announced the 32 nominees for the 2021 award. (Rich Graessle/Icon Credit: Sportswire via Getty Images)The NFL on Tuesday announced 32 finalists for its most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. >> Read more trending newsThe Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by @Nationwide honors players who have exhibited excellence on-the-field, and whose passion to impact lives extends beyond the game. The 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees are as follows, and more information on each player can be found at NFL.com:Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin BeachumAtlanta Falcons: Mike DavisBaltimore Ravens: Bradley BozemanBuffalo Bills: Harrison PhillipsCarolina Panthers: D.J.

Kendall Fuller intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass on a 2-point conversion attempt, and Washington held on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 17-15 for the team’s third consecutive victory.

Lawsuit settled: Rams owner Stan Kroenke and the NFL have settled their lawsuit with interests in the St. Louis area. >> Read more trending newsNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approved the settlement Wednesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The agreement binds the league to pay St. Louis, St. Louis County and the public agency that owns The Dome at America’s Center within 30 days, the newspaper reported. On April 12, 2017, St. Louis and St. Louis County sued the NFL. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has obtained the 4-page agreement detailing the settlement terms of the Rams Relocation Lawsuit.

The former Las Vegas Raiders head coach is accusing the NFL of leaking the emails to media outlets to intentionally harm Gruden's reputation.

The former Las Vegas Raiders head coach is accusing the NFL of leaking the emails to media outlets to intentionally harm Gruden's reputation.

The former Raiders coach has sued commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL, alleging that a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” was used to destroy his career by leaking old offensive emails from him. The suit was filed in district court in Clark County, Nev., on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, exactly a month after Gruden resigned as Raiders coach following the publication of his emails by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File) (Don Wright)Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden has sued Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL, alleging that a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” was used to destroy Gruden's career by leaking old offensive emails from Gruden. The suit was filed in district court in Clark County, Nevada, on Thursday, exactly a month after Gruden resigned as Raiders coach following the publication of his emails by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 8 that Gruden used a racist term to describe NFL union chief DeMaurice Smith.

Former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden has sued Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL, alleging that a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” was used to destroy Gruden’s career by leaking old emails he had sent that included racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments.

Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, who resigned last month after racist, homophobic, and misogynistic comments surfaced, is suing the NFL and Roger Goodell.

Two members of the House of Representatives are urging the NFL and the Washington Football Team to release individuals from non-disclosure agreements that would prevent them from discussing sexual harassment and workplace issues at owner Daniel Snyder’s club.

Gruden Racist Comment Football FILE - In this May 1, 2021, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the start of the fourth round of the NFL football draft in Cleveland. Maloney and Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Oct. 21 requesting that all documents and communication related to the probe into the Washington Football Team be turned over by Thursday. “While Commissioner Roger Goodell has told the press that victims and witnesses are free to take their story public, he should know many of them do not have that option,” Krishnamoorthi said Friday. “Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Football Team, has saddled them with gag orders, preventing them from coming forward due to fear of retaliation. The Washington Football Team hired lawyer Beth Wilkinson in the summer of 2020 to look into allegations of sexual harassment and other improper conduct within the organization.

Mackenzie Salmon 'overreacts' to the biggest storylines in the NFC after Week 8 action in the NFL.

Mackenzie Salmon 'overreacts' to the biggest storylines in the AFC from Week 8 action in the NFL.

Executive's salary, revealed during an owners meeting in New York, exceeds those of the league's top-paid players.

The NFL held its first in-person owners meeting in over 600 days to discuss the latest issues surrounding the league. Here's what's NFL owners' discussed.

Roger Goodell said the league wanted to protect the roughly 150 former employees who spoke to outside counsel.

NFL Meetings Football Allen Sills, Chief Medical Officer for the NFL, speaks to reporters during the NFL football owners meeting in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig)NEW YORK — (AP) — The NFL is not going to issue a report on its 10-month investigation into allegations the Washington Football Team engaged in harassment and abuse because of its promise to protect the identities of those who testified, Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, members of the NFL’s Social Justice Working Group and the owners were given a copy of a letter by two former employees of the Washington Football Team asking them to make a public a report. So far, 94.1% of players are vaccinated, as well as 100% of team and league staff. Members of the Pegula family, including co-owner and team president Kim Pegula, are not experiencing any symptoms.

The NFL is not going to issue a report on its 10-month investigation into allegations the Washington Football Team engaged in harassment and abuse because of its promise to protect the identities of those who testified, Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Gruden Racist Comment Football FILE - In this May 1, 2021, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the start of the fourth round of the NFL football draft in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File) (Tony Dejak)A Congressional committee is seeking documents and information from the NFL regarding the investigation into the Washington Football Team and how the league handled it. We look forward to speaking to her office soon.”The Washington Football Team hired lawyer Beth Wilkinson in the summer of 2020 to look into allegations of sexual harassment and other improper conduct within the organization. Gruden resigned as coach of the Raiders on Oct. 11 and lawyers representing 40 former employees of the Washington Football Team urged the league to immediately release the full findings of the investigation. The NFL has refused but the committee is now asking for that information, as well as any reports about the investigation, details on top league counsel Jeff Pash's role in the investigation, who from the league oversaw Wilkinson's investigation and why there wasn't a written report.

A Congressional committee is seeking documents and information from the NFL regarding the investigation into the Washington Football Team and how the league handled it.

Every week for the past two seasons, NFL players take the field wearing social justice messages on their helmets.

Current and former NFL players and others who work in the league have varying opinions whether the attitudes expressed by Jon Gruden in emails over several years are pervasive throughout the sport these days.

Raiders Gruden Football FILE - Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden attends a news conference after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Las Vegas, in this Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, file photo. Jon Gruden is out as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. The emails were gathered as part of an investigation of the Washington Football Team after former employees made allegations about sexual harassment and other workplace misconduct. What disciplinary steps, if any, would the NFL take, after standing back while the Gruden episode played out? And, perhaps most importantly: Just how pervasive and prevalent around the league are the attitudes and opinions expressed by Gruden?

The 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 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.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden announced his resignation Monday in the wake of the release of a string of prior emails that offended female referees, criticized the drafting of a gay football player, denounced national anthem protests, and labeled President Joe Biden a "p****," according to a report.

Gruden Racist Comment Football FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2021, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden meets with the media following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Gruden is out as coach of the Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. Gruden released a statement Monday night, saying: “I have resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have three former NFL head coaches on staff: defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, and offensive line coach Tom Cable, who was the team's head coach from 2008-2010, going 17-27. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is the assistant head coach.

Jon Gruden tells staff he intends to resign Jon Gruden is resigning as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, a source confirmed to The Associated Press late Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Jon Gruden has resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before joining the franchise contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. >> Read more trending newsIn a statement released Monday night, Gruden said, “I have resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Source: Jon Gruden just informed his staff that he plans to resign as #Raiders coach. >> Related: Report: Jon Gruden used racial language to describe NFLPA chief in 2011 emailOther emails attributed to Gruden have also revealed the use of racist, homophobic and misogynistic language, the AP reported.

Bears Raiders Football Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks on his headset during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)Jon Gruden is out as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. A person familiar with the decision said Gruden is stepping down after The New York Times reported that Gruden frequently used misogynistic and homophobic language directed at Commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL. It was a rapid downfall for Gruden, who is in the fourth year of a 10-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Raiders in 2018. The emails were discovered in a workplace misconduct investigation into the Washington Football Team but ended up costing Gruden his job.

Exposing of the insensitive emails comes just days after it was revealed Gruden made a racist comment about the executive director of the NFL players union in 2011. The NFL obtained the emails that Gruden sent to Bruce Allen, the former president of the Washington Football Team, in a separate investigation of workplace misconduct regarding that franchise. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Gruden used a racist comment to describe NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith. A league source confirms the accuracy of the emails and said they have been sent to the Raiders. The team and Gruden didn't immediately respond for comment but Gruden said earlier Monday he learned from this, without going into detail.

Jon Gruden is out as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments.

A 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.

While many hate them, you have to admit when they're good it's great business for the NFL when the Cowboys are good, says Mackenzie Salmon.

The NFL is stressing the importance of symptom reporting to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a video featuring coaches Pete Carroll, Andy Reid, John Harbaugh and Ron Rivera. “It is vital for all players, coaches and other personnel to understand and report symptoms immediately,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo sent to teams on Tuesday and obtained by The Associated Press. Sills reminds players if they have symptoms but test negative, they will not be held out of the team environment. “It’s challenging to educate people to speak up about symptoms and get tests. “When an individual fails to report their symptoms, they are much more likely to bring the virus to their colleague and loved ones,” Goodell said in the memo.

More Americans than ever will place a wager on the NFL this season, which comes as the league embraces the spread of legalized sports betting across the U.S.

Tretter is president of the NFLPA. "That is one of the things we learned ... hearing clubs and the NFLPA saying our relationship has never been stronger. "They say they need a differentiator between unvaccinated and vaccinated players, we already have a differentiator," Tretter said. “The unvaccinated players need to wear masks. Tretter feels the league wanted to guilt players into getting the vaccine.

Browns center and NFLPA President JC Tretter feels the NFL is trying to shame players by urging teams to require vaccinated and unvaccinated players to wear different colored wristbands.

Chung said on a conference call Monday that he never was told by the league why a requested meeting with Goodell was not arranged nor how the NFL's investigation was conducted. “My goal is to find out whether Asians are considered a minority (by the NFL). I want to get clarity and clarification on whether Asians are considered a minority when it comes to the hiring process. I want to get that out there and answered.”Chung believes a meeting with Goodell would provide clarity. “NFL security spoke to my representatives and requested a sit-down with Mr. Goodell so we could have a conversation about what I have been talking about,” Chung added.

In a new memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell said teams responsible for cancelations would receive a loss on their record and players on both teams would not be paid.

From players getting COVID-19 vaccinations to relaxed coronavirus protocols to lineup issues, particularly at quarterback, the NFL faces a multitude of questions as training camps open.

NFL Covid Protocols Football FILE - In this April 29, 2021, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, wearing a COVID-19 vaccinated sticker, speaks during the first round of the NFL football draft in Cleveland. The NFL has informed teams they could potentially forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano) (Steve Luciano)The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category. He is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”Sills cited teams having strong advocates for vaccination among players and coaches, as well as the educational materials available.

The number of NFL players who are in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category.

In a new memo, Commissioner Roger Goodell said teams responsible for cancelations would receive a loss on their record and players on both teams would not be paid.

>> Read more trending newsThe league announced Thursday that COVID-19 outbreaks among unvaccinated players could lead to forfeits for teams and the loss of paychecks for players. Because of an agreement with the NFL Players Association, the league has encouraged player vaccination but has not made it mandatory. The implication is clear: Unvaccinated players could be costly, on and off the field. The NFL postponed five games and moved 10 others during the 2020 season to accommodate COVID-19 outbreaks, according to ESPN. • The original postponement was caused by an outbreak among unvaccinated players of one team.

NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn't get paid that week. The league says more than half its teams have COVID-19 vaccination rates greater than 80% of their players, and more than 75% of players are in the process of being vaccinated. Teams have appropriate protocols set up for staffers who have not been vaccinated, consistent with the guidance given last April. Among the other key points in the memo:— If a vaccinated person tests positive and is asymptomatic, he or she will be isolated and contact tracing will promptly occur. — If an unvaccinated person tests positive, the protocols from 2020 will remain in effect.

The NFL has informed teams they could potentially forfeit a game because of a COVID-19 outbreak among nonvaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.

ESPN has finally landed Peyton Manning as a “Monday Night Football” commentator.

NFL fine Washington team owner Dan Snyder will hand over day-to-day operations of the NFL franchise to his wife, Tanya Snyder, right. (Paul Morigi/WireImage)The National Football League levied a $10 million fine against the Washington Football Team on Thursday as a result of the league’s investigation into the organization’s workplace culture. In addition, team owner Dan Snyder announced he will step away from day-to-day operations. His wife, Tanya Snyder, will take over team operations and will represent the team at league meetings, the NFL said in a news release. Dan Snyder will focus on a new stadium plan “and other matters.”NFL is fining the Washington Football Team $10 million as a result of the league’s investigation into the team’s culture.

Washington pass rusher Montez Sweat says he isn't a fan of the team attempting to persuade players to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league expects full stadiums this season and players and staff are being encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He said positivity rate for COVID-19 is currently at 0.04 percent, down from .08 percent during the regular season. “We do think the players and our personnel are safer if they’re vaccinated,” Goodell said. “It’s not at all in line with our values and what we stand for at the NFL,” Smith said. “We’ll address it appropriately.”In other news from the owners’ meetings:— The NFL approved a rule change for player safety, expanding the prohibition for blocks below the waist.

An additional week of regular-season games will benefit NFL fans right from the start.

NFL Vaccinations Football FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2021, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talks during a ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) (Charlie Riedel)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The NFL is offering free Super Bowl tickets to 50 COVID-19 vaccinated fans as part of a global event to encourage getting vaccinations. Details how to win the Super Bowl tickets will be announced Saturday night during Global Citizen’s “VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World” program. The show takes place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where the 56th Super Bowl will be held next February. In February, 7,500 vaccinated health care workers were invited to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa as guests of the league.

The NFL is offering free Super Bowl tickets to 50 COVID-19 vaccinated fans as part of a global event to encourage getting vaccinations.

NFL Draft Football North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, right, holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the San Francisco 49ers with the third pick in the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. 12 to 3 in the NFL draft, the pressure on the organization was immense. After spending the final two days of the draft adding players to help Lance on offense and address their defensive depth, the Niners can finally catch their breath. Lance will report to rookie minicamp in less than two weeks and then take part in the full offseason program. He and his family then planned to go house hunting and Shanahan gave Lance some advice about the notoriously expensive Bay Area real estate market.

From the moment San Francisco made the decision to trade two future first-round picks to move up from No. 12 to 3 in the NFL draft, the pressure on the organization was immense.

NFL Draft Football Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer after Tampa Bay picked Kyle Trask, from Florida, in the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer) (David Dermer)The latest on the second and third rounds of the NFL draft on Friday night. ___9 p.m.Notre Dame All-America linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was picked with the 52nd overall pick in the second round by Cleveland. The FCS powerhouse Bison had two players selected before traditional powers such as Oklahoma and Texas A&M had even one. Don’t look for anyone from Auburn, Texas A&M or either of the Mississippi schools having gone despite the dozen SEC players selected.

(AP Photo/David Dermer, Pool) (David Dermer)The latest on the second and third rounds of the NFL draft on Friday night. The second round of the NFL draft began with two more players from the Southeastern Conference being selected. ___6:45 p.m.Maybe known more for brains than brawn, Northwestern showed more than its academics on the first night of the NFL draft. Hours before the second round started, Commissioner Roger Goodell helped the Browns break ground for the installation of a new synthetic athletic field in East Cleveland. Don’t look for anyone from Auburn, Texas A&M or either of the Mississippi schools having gone despite the dozen SEC players selected.

(AP Photo/David Dermer, Pool) (David Dermer)The latest on the second and third rounds of the NFL draft on Friday night. The second round of the NFL draft began with two more players from the Southeastern Conference being selected. ___6:45 p.m.Maybe known more for brains than brawn, Northwestern showed more than its academics on the first night of the NFL draft. Hours before the second round started, Commissioner Roger Goodell helped the Browns break ground for the installation of a new synthetic athletic field in East Cleveland. Don’t look for anyone from Auburn, Texas A&M or either of the Mississippi schools having gone despite the dozen SEC players selected.

(AP Photo/David Dermer, Pool) (David Dermer)The latest on the second and third rounds of the NFL draft on Friday night. The second round of the NFL draft began with two more players from the Southeastern Conference being selected. ___6:45 p.m.Maybe known more for brains than brawn, Northwestern showed more than its academics on the first night of the NFL draft. Hours before the second round started, Commissioner Roger Goodell helped the Browns break ground for the installation of a new synthetic athletic field in East Cleveland. Don’t look for anyone from Auburn, Texas A&M or either of the Mississippi schools having gone despite the dozen SEC players selected.

Opening night of the 2021 NFL Draft was down compared to last year's virtual event but also the second-highest viewed.

The Denver Broncos wrapped up the second day of the NFL draft by using a compensatory pick to take Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning with the 105th overall pick.

Following the highest-scoring season in league history, the NFL draft proved its clubs are more committed than ever to keep lighting up the scoreboard.

Quarterbacks and just about anyone from national champion Alabama headlined the NFL draft.

Deshaun Watson is facing nearly two dozen lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and the fallout is something the NFL is watching closely, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday night.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the easiest and maybe most significant selection in franchise history when they chose Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the easiest and maybe most significant selection in franchise history when they chose Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.

All the information you need to get ready for the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday as the Jacksonville Jaguars own the No. 1 overall pick.

President Biden will visit Georgia after giving his first address to Congress, the NFL draft begins in Cleveland and more news to start your Thursday.

The 2021 NFL Draft will kick off on Thursday and for three young prospects, they will be following in the footsteps of their fathers.

Producer Charlie Yook and NFL Network didn’t have their own draft broadcast last year, but he was able to glean a couple of things from last year’s joint effort with ESPN.

This year's NFL draft will be unlike any other.

Here is the round-by-round order for the 2021 NFL draft, which is scheduled to be held in Cleveland from April 29-May 1.

The NFL is modifying COVID-19 protocols for all personnel who have been fully vaccinated.

Grammy Award nominated rock & soul duo Black Pumas and Cleveland’s own Machine Gun Kelly will perform at next week’s NFL draft.

Members of the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have become the first to say they won't participate in their team's in-person voluntary offseason programs.

The NFL says that getting vaccinated is the fastest way to get back to normal.

Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama is scheduled to appear in person in Cleveland at the NFL draft later this month.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games and planning to have full stadiums for those games. While reducing the preseason to three games the league will be able to generate additional revenue, of course. The Super Bowl now will move back a week to Feb. 13, which places it directly in the middle of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Each extra NFL game will be an interconference matchup based on where teams finished in the previous season. "We will promote the Super Bowl during the first week of the Winter Olympics, and we’ll promote the second week of the Winter Olympics during the Super Bowl.

They'll begin finding out this week when the 32 team owners hold virtual meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. Two items top the agenda: increasing the regular season to 17 games and decreasing preseason games to three per team. Both are nearly certain to be approved after a pandemic-stressed season that severely cut into the league's revenue stream. The media partners who just spent about $10 billion annually for NFL rights fees will get more content that counts, and fewer exhibition games. Ad“There will be automatic changes to the offseason and in-season workout schedules as a result,” said George Atallah, the NFL Players Association spokesman.

Goodell will announce the names of this year's rookie draft class within shouting distance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)CLEVELAND – Roger Goodell's leaving his man cave for this year's NFL draft. It’s about fans having hope with new players, clubs having hope," said O'Reilly, Vice President, Club Business & League Events. "The general message is that certainly we want to welcome fans, not only from Cleveland but outside as well,” O'Reilly said. While it might not be the full-blown draft Cleveland was hoping to host when it was awarded the annual event, it's better than not having one.

The new contracts also mean the NFL will nearly double its media revenue to more than $10 billion a season. Amazon has partnered with the league to stream 11 Thursday night games since 2017, but it will take over the entire package from Fox, which has had it since 2018. That was the largest audience to stream an NFL game. NBC also retains the opening Thursday night NFL Kickoff game as well as a Thanksgiving night game and flex scheduling beginning in Week 5. Amazon experimented with on-demand highlights and increased use of Next Gen stats during Thursday night games last season.

FILE - Washington Football Team cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. The Washington Football Team will not have cheerleaders for the 2021 season as part of an organizational rebranding. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)Washington will not have cheerleaders for the first time since the NFL’s longest-running cheerleading team was founded in 1962, with a coed dance team taking its place. Wright has said he expects “Washington Football Team” to continue for 2021 with a new, permanent name to be ready in 2022. “My goal is to create this team, reinvent this team and make it more modern.”___AdMore AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Owner Dan Snyder hired lawyer Beth Wilkinson to conduct an independent investigation in July after several female former employees made allegations of workplace sexual harassment. The NFL in July took over control of the investigation. “There must be accountability for the actions we believe are detailed in this report,” the employees wrote in their letter to Goodell. AdSeventeen former employees signed the letter to Goodell by name and three others anonymously. “For its own credibility, it is crucial that the NFL release the investigative report, while also protecting from disclosure any witnesses who requested confidentiality.

Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league has found new avenues of communication that will be common in future seasons. “Virtual meetings have now become standard in the NFL; we are not going to have as much (in-person) meetings when we get back,” Goodell said Wednesday at the NFL Women's Careers in Football Forum. “The draft is an example” of the effectiveness of the technology the NFL used, Goodell noted. “One of the things we talked about throughout the last year was how do we learn from what we are going through?” Goodell said. It also gave us opportunities to find new ways of doing things that actually are quite popular.”Ad___More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

As the National Football League nears the wrap-up of a probe of allegations of sexual harassment and mistreatment of female employees by the Washington Football Team, the team's cheerleading program has been put on pause, CBS Washington, D.C. affiliate WUSA-TV reports. Keene's removal wasn't a result of that investigation, the sources told the station. The Washington Football Team cheerleaders preform on the second level in a socially isolated way during the New York Giants game versus the Washington Football Team on November 8, 2020, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesTeam officials said they're re-envisioning the cheerleading program and are hiring a consultant to help. The NFL took over the team's internal investigation into the allegations in September.

Every NFL stadium in the U.S. can become a COVID-19 vaccination site, according to the football league's top official. Some stadiums have already been transformed into vaccination sites in recent weeks, Goodell said, including the home facilities for the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and other teams. Asked if he would use the NFL stadiums as vaccination sites, Mr. Biden said, "Absolutely we will." Yankee Stadium in New York City is one of eight baseball stadiums now serving as a vaccination center in the weeks before the official start of the 2021 season. People wait in line to enter the coronavirus vaccination site at Yankee Stadium on February 5, 2021, in the Bronx borough of New York City.

___9:40 p.m.Tom Brady is closing in on a record seventh Super Bowl title as the struggles continue for Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs got another field goal to start the second half but are still seeking their first touchdown of the Super Bowl. ___7:45 p.m.Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are off to a slow start in the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs’ goal-line stand has kept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from adding to their 7-3 lead in Super Bowl 55. AdLocker room access is limited compared to previous Super Bowls, and Super Bowl week was much different.

The Supreme Court is telling California it cant enforce a ban on indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic. The celebration is on hold until next year as Rio struggles with a rise in coronavirus cases. ___OKLAHOMA CITY — The number of reported coronavirus cases in Oklahoma has surpassed 400,000. Health officials are urging football fans to forego Super Bowl gatherings with members outside of their own households. France has registered 3.5 million confirmed cases and more than 78,700 confirmed deaths.

The seven clubs already using their stadiums as vaccine sites are Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina, Houston, Miami and New England. “We look forward to further discussion with your administration as well as your partners in state and local governments to advance this effort,” Goodell wrote to Biden in a letter dated Thursday. Goodell said the offer on vaccination sites was made in conjunction with the NFL inviting 7,500 vaccinated health care workers to attend the Super Bowl for free Sunday. Ad“Our efforts will not stop there,” Goodell wrote to Biden in extending the offer on stadiums. Biden took office last month with a goal of vaccinating 100 million people in the first 100 days of his administration.

TAMPA, Fla. – Playing a contact sport in the middle of a pandemic seemed unthinkable to everyone except the NFL when the novel coronavirus shut down the country in March. The league played 256 games in the regular season without any cancellations and made it through the playoffs to get here. “There’s so many people that had to work together to get this done,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday. Though stadiums were empty most of the season, 1.2 million fans attended NFL games when they were allowed. “They need to be smart.”Just as it seems the NFL was for much of the last five months.

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2021, file photo, Sri Lankan nursing staff administer COVID-19 vaccines to front-line health workers in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Reynolds issued the earlier restrictions in November when hospitals were struggling to care for a surge of coronavirus patients. Officials say it could help up to four COVID-19 patients. ___LISBON, Portugal — Portugal has set a new daily record for COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care with 904 patients on Friday. AdThe Austrian government offered to take in five COVID-19 patients and five non-COVID patients to relieve Portuguese hospitals.

TAMPA, Fla. – 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. Two minorities were hired for seven head coach openings this offseason. There were three Black head coaches when the Rooney Rule was adopted in 2003 and there are three now, despite several changes to the rule to help promote more opportunities. Goodell said having two minority coaches hired this year wasn’t what they expected and not what they expect moving forward. “It does frustrate players, especially African American players, because we see ourselves as potential leaders within the NFL community,” Woodyard said.

TAMPA, Fla. – The many lessons learned from 2020 will be needed as the NFL moves forward, Commissioner Roger Goodell noted Thursday in his annual state of the league news conference ahead of the Super Bowl. “I know we have learned to work in a very difficult environment, and we will do it again. That is one of the things we learned ... hearing clubs and the NFLPA saying our relationship has never been stronger. He added the NFL will look into what changes from the pandemic season are worth keeping in a post-COVID-19 world. Goodell said team owner Daniel Snyder has begun to make changes and is welcoming the probe.