SEATTLE — I wasn’t convinced that Russell Wilson’s personality would translate to television.

Because during 14 NFL seasons, and a decade in Seattle, I rarely saw one. Publicly, Wilson was purposefully unknowable. He was a winner, a magician, a play-extender and a moonball maven. He was a relentlessly positive, remarkably durable, a ...Read more

MIAMI — Seven years ago two lost franchises faced off inside Hard Rock Stadium for what some labeled the Toilet Bowl.

The Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, who happen play each other on Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Hard Rock Stadium, faced off in Week 16 of the NFL’s 2019 season as two of the worst franchises in the NFL that season.

Brian ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — You’d rather a general manager do what Howie Roseman did than refuse to do it on principle.

I’ve been searching for something more definitive to say about one of the more discomfiting weeks in recent Eagles history. But all I have are first principles.

— It is better to be a year early than to be a year late.

— It is ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — In this business, they teach you early to avoid getting starstruck. But every now and then, you encounter an individual whose aura breaks through that conditioning.

For me, that was Mike Ditka.

I was fresh out of college, producing a remote radio show for KDKA. Ditka was one of a handful of notable guests we were scheduled to ...Read more

Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill took the stand in a civil case brought by his estranged wife, slamming her claims that he physically abused her as “false allegations.”

But Hill admitted to shoving his wife Keeta Vaccaro, 30, against the wall during an argument inside their Sunny Isles condo. Vaccaro, who filed for divorce, ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday without their top two offensive weapons — Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith.

Barkley and Smith, who are both dealing with hamstring injuries, were ruled out on Friday’s final injury report. This is the second straight absence for Smith, who has had a lingering...Read more

NEW YORK — The Giants run the ball a lot already, but Sunday’s offensive strategy at Washington might redefine John Harbaugh’s commitment to the ground game.

Weather forecasts are calling for heavy rain and maybe thunderstorms during the Giants’ Week 5 NFC East clash against the Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.

“We ...Read more

DENVER — J.K. Dobbins normally finds the light in situations like creases in a defense.

He’s got natural vision.

Through the first four games of the Broncos’ 2026 season, though, those openings have been harder to spot and dart to.

Denver is 2-2 against rugged competition, but its run game has been stuck in neutral. Dobbins is supposed ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — You would have a hard time finding a more embarrassing performance from any Dallas Cowboys team this century than the “perfect game” they pitched on Thursday night against a terrible Tampa Bay Bucs team.

The Cowboys played their third game in 11 days spread over two continents, and the frequent flyer miles caught them ...Read more

CHICAGO — To pigeonhole Mike Ditka as one of the great sports figures in Chicago history would be an injustice to his legacy.

To many he was the living, breathing image of Chicago, as much a part of our storied history as Mrs. O’Leary, Al Capone, the Water Tower, Muddy Waters, Mayor Richard J. Daley, Michael Jordan and Tom Skilling.

Ditka ...Read more

DENVER — Davis Webb’s dream came to a halt on Monday when Broncos coach Sean Payton met with his offensive coordinator to tell him he was stripping him of play-calling duties.

Webb would remain offensive coordinator, but Payton would now hold the reins on Sunday, Payton said.

Was four games enough of a sample size to demote a coach in his ...Read more

CHICAGO — Mike Ditka, known as “Da Coach,” led the 1985 Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. He also was a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, a popular pitchman and broadcaster, Arena Football League team owner, potential Republican candidate and idol of “Saturday Night Live” Super Fans and Grabowskis alike.

Ditka died at age ...Read more

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys suffered an unexpected loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in front of a home crowd on "Thursday Night Football."

Some might describe the loss as "embarrassing" — in fact, one guy actually said that exact word in the Cowboys tunnel within ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering a right hamstring injury during a Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Williams, who sat out the last two games, was a limited participant, and Friday’s final injury report for Week 5 listed him as questionable for Sunday’s ...Read more

DENVER — Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper will be back in court Monday in ongoing legal action stemming from two domestic violence arrests.

Cooper, 28, has a newly scheduled motions hearing at 3 p.m. Monday in Douglas County Court. He is facing a felony assault charge and other lesser charges stemming from altercations with a former...Read more

CHICAGO — Three images of Mike Ditka filled the large screen outside the south entrance of Soldier Field Friday afternoon alongside simple text, “1939-2026.”

Michael Barone, 48, of New Jersey, stopped to take a picture.

“He was an icon. It’s tragic when you lose someone like that,” Barone said. “He embodies Chicago. He was that ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was ruled out for Sunday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after missing his third straight day of practice Friday in Owings Mills with a sprained left ankle.

Coach Jesse Minter said that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will not play, meaning Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will start for ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 1985 Chicago Bears are remembered as one of the greatest teams in NFL history, as they steamrolled three opponents in the postseason on the way to an 18-1 record.

After throttling the New England Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX, the Bears held a huge parade in Chicago. A few weeks later, running back Walter Payton and...Read more

CHICAGO — Mike Ditka imagined there was a life plan for him, a vision or a calling that he was meant to do one thing.

“I believe that everyone has a destiny in life, and mine is with the Chicago Bears,” he said when he was hired as the 10th head coach in franchise history Jan. 20, 1982. “I’m going to give Chicago a winning football ...Read more