Professional football
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Bateman has decided to opt back in to the 2020 football season in light of the Big Ten’s resumption of fall competition. That's contingent on the star junior gaining the necessary eligibility clearance. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Minnesota star WR Bateman wants to opt back into 2020 season

By Dave Campbell Sep. 22, 2020 03:20 PM EDT

Oakland Athletics outfielders Mark Canha (20) and Ramon Laureano, second from right, wear masks as they greet teammates after they defeated the Seattle Mariners in the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Seattle. Both games were played in air smoky from wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and California. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Latest: Falcons and MLS Atlanta United to have some fans

By The Associated Press Sep. 22, 2020 11:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2017, file photo, Thursday Night Football analyst Deion Sanders gives his take before an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders says he will become Jackson State's football coach. Sanders made the announcement Sunday night, Sept. 20, 2020, on the first episode of the “21st & Prime” podcast with Jamie Dukes on Barstool Sports. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers 10/12/2017

Sep. 21, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

Deion Sanders smiles as he is introduced as Jackson State's head football coach at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. (Eric Shelton/The Clarion-Ledger via AP)
‘Match made in heaven’: Deion Sanders to coach Jackson State

Sep. 21, 2020 09:49 AM EDT

No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette holds off Georgia State in OT

By George Henry Sep. 19, 2020 04:14 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Louisiana-Lafayette coach Billy Napier was concerned about Saturday's game at Georgia State. Turns out he had good reason. ...

Wait a minute: Stars Wade, Davis decide to return to Ohio St

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 17, 2020 06:56 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two of Ohio State’s biggest stars, cornerback Shaun Wade and guard Wyatt Davis, are opting back in for the 2020 football season. ...

The Latest: No fans for Titans' home opener against Jaguars

Sep. 17, 2020 10:53 AM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The Tennessee Titans won’t have...

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Ohio State stars Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis got tired of waiting for a decision on the football season and chose to opt out and begin preparing for the NFL draft. Wade, a preseason All-American and likely first-round pick in the 2021 draft, announced his decision Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, on Twitter, saying the Big Ten waited too long to decide what to do about playing.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File).
Tired of waiting: Ohio State stars opt out, move on to draft

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 14, 2020 02:54 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Sept. 14 1923 — Jack Dempsey knocks out Luis Firpo in the second round for his last successful defense of his world heavyweight title, at...

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Sep. 12, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Sept. 13 1930 — Tommy Armour beats Gene Sarazen 1 up to win the PGA Championship. 1964 — Roy Emerson beats fellow...

FILE - North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Dyami Brown during the first half of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Annapolis, Md. No. 18 North Carolina has plenty of hype with quarterback Sam Howell leading an offense full of returning playmakers for Mack Brown's second season. The Tar Heels open Saturday against Syracuse with a chance to prove the hype is deserved. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
No. 18 Tar Heels eager to see Howell's next act at QB

By Aaron Beard Sep. 11, 2020 01:24 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Sep. 11, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Sept. 12 1895 — Defender wins three straight matches from the British challenger Valkyrie II to defend the America’s Cup for the United...

USC OL Alijah Vera-Tucker opts out to prepare for NFL draft

Sep. 10, 2020 06:24 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker has opted out of the upcoming season to enter the NFL draft. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 01:31 PM EDT
Sept. 13 1930 — Tommy Armour beats Gene Sarazen 1 up to win the PGA Championship. 1964 — Roy Emerson beats fellow...

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks to pass against LSU during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The top-ranked Tigers are 29-1 over the past two seasons and have won five straight ACC championships. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Trevor Lawrence, No. 1 Clemson begin another title chase

By Steve Reed Sep. 10, 2020 11:20 AM EDT

In this photo taken on July 27, 2019, German quarterback Alexander Honig poses for a photo ina TCU uniform after participating in a football camp at the Big 12 Conference school in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU offered Honig a scholarship after the workout. Honig looks and sounds the part of big-time American college football recruit. The quarterback is nearly 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds. He has a scholarship offer to play at TCU. But the unusual part is Honig is German. It's rare for an American college program to recruit a European as a quarterback. The 18-year-old Honig is taking his talents from Bavaria to Texas with dreams of becoming an NFL QB. (Susanne Honig via AP)
German QB with 'big arm' has big plans for TCU career

By Ken Maguire Sep. 10, 2020 08:30 AM EDT

John Stanton, owner of the Seattle Mariners, wears a mask he he sits next to cutout photos of fans in the stands while watching the team's baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Latest: Wisconsin football, hockey taking 2-week break

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2020 04:42 PM EDT

FILE - Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, speaks with reporters following the House's approval of a bill that would cut auto insurance premiums on Thursday, May 9, 2019, in the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Leaders of six state legislatures in the Big Ten footprint have sent a letter to Commissioner Kevin Warren asking the conference to reconsider its decision to cancel the fall football season. The letter is written on the letterhead of Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield. It's also signed by statehouse leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/David Eggert, File)
The Latest: Baylor postpones opener because of virus

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 11:49 AM EDT

Cal cornerback Camryn Bynum declares for 2021 NFL draft

Sep. 06, 2020 09:20 PM EDT
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California cornerback Camryn Bynum will skip his final season of eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL draft. Bynum...

FILE - UCLA offensive lineman Jake Burton (73) plays during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. While most of the offseason chatter surrounding college football transfers inevitably focuses on quarterbacks, plenty of notable players at other positions also switched teams and could make major impacts for their new schools this fall. Burton, a two-year starter at UCLA, decided to transfer to Baylor when the Pac-10 opted to postpone its season. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, FIle)
Potential impact transfers this season aren't limited to QBs

By Steve Megargee Sep. 05, 2020 11:26 AM EDT