SPORT NEWS

Michael Sam: I’ve earned Rams teammates’ respect

By R.B. Fallstrom - Associated Press
The first openly gay player drafted in the NFL said Friday there have been no issues fitting in with his St. Louis Rams teammates, no awkward moments in the locker room and that he was accepted right away.

Houston Texans No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney, a defensive end from South Carolina, holds up his new jersey during an introductory NFL football news conference Friday, May 9, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Top NFL draft pick Jadeveon Clowney signs with Texans

By Associated Press

He's the third top overall pick in team history. Houston selected quarterback David Carr in 2002 and defensive end Mario Williams in 2006.

Keenan Robinson could emerge from shadows as Redskins’ man in middle

By Brian McNally - The Washington Times

With the retirement of linebacker London Fletcher, the Redskins need a player on the inside to take over next to the established Perry Riley, Jr. But torn pectoral muscles cut Robinson's rookie season short and ended last year's before it began. Now, he's working with the starting unit in offseason practices.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws during an NFL football organized team activity, Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Colin Kaepernick gets 6-year contract extension from 49ers

By Janie McCauley - Associated Press

The sides had made it a top priority to get a deal done before the start of training camp for one of the NFL's best young quarterbacks. ESPN reported the deal is worth more than $110 million.

NFL ditches Roman numerals for Super Bowl 50: ‘L’ deemed less pleasing to the eye

By The Washington Times

The NFL is taking a break — from Roman numerals. Super Bowl 50 will be played Feb. 7, 2016, and for the first time since 1971, it will be visually represented in standard Arabic numerals, the league confirmed Wednesday.

Academy Award winning actor Matthew McConaughey, left, walks with Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III after an NFL football practice at Redskins Park, on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Matthew McConaughey pals with RGIII: He’s not buying into that Dallas club

By Brian McNally - The Washington Times

A-list actor Matthew McConaughey was on hand for Redskins organized team activities in Ashburn, chatting with Robert Griffin III and owner Dan Snyder.

Rome falls again: NFL altering tradition for Super Bowl 50

By Marc Lancaster - The Washington Times

ESPN reported Wednesday the NFL will officially denote the Feb. 7, 2016 championship game as Super Bowl 50. Otherwise, it would have been called Super Bowl L — a no-win situation for the league.

Washington Redskins safety Tanard Jackson speaks during a media availability after an NFL football training camp practice at Redskins Park, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Tanard Jackson knows this chance with Redskins likely his last in NFL

By Paul St. Jean - The Washington Times

The Redskins are still hoping to get a return on their investment despite the 28-year-old safety's checkered past. The suspension that caused him to miss the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons was his third drug-related violation since entering the league in 2007.

**FILE** Eric Rivera Jr., 17, front, and Jason Scott Mitchell, rear, walk into a courtroom, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, in Miami. The two suspects from the Fort Myers, Fla. area are charged with breaking into Redskins Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor's Miami home Nov. 26 and shooting him during a confrontation in his bedroom. (AP Photo/Alexia Fodere, Pool)

Another Sean Taylor killing suspect faces trial

By Associated Press

Opening statements were set for Tuesday for 25-year-old Jason Mitchell, one of five men from the Fort Myers area charged with murder in the case. The alleged shooter, Eric Rivera Jr., was convicted last fall of second-degree murder and sentenced to 57 years behind bars.

Miami Dolphins' Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino speaks at a news conference promoting the Pro Football Hall of Fame fanfest at the I-X Center in Cleveland Tuesday, April 29, 2014. The inaugural event will allow fans to meet and interact with 100 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame May 3-4, 2014. (AP Photo)

Dan Marino files concussion lawsuit against NFL

By Associated Press

Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino is among the latest group of football players to file a concussion-related lawsuit against the National Football League.

Washington Redskins strong safety Phillip Thomas (41) walks to the field during the second day of the NFL football teams training camp in Richmond, Va. Friday, July 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

‘Redshirt’ season behind him, Phillip Thomas ready to help Redskins’ secondary

By Zac Boyer - The Washington Times

A fourth-round pick last April out of Fresno State, Thomas was penciled in as the Redskins' starting strong safety when training camp opened. Whatever potential Thomas showed during two weeks of training camp was never realized after he suffered a foot injury during a preseason game that kept him sidelined for his entire rookie season.