In the past month, we witnessed the inauguration of our first African-American president and also saw Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers become the second African-American head coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl win. The fact that there was very little talk of Tomlin's race in the week leading up to the game suggests just how much progress has been made in terms of black men in leadership positions in the NFL. ...more

February 22, 2009

John Dock struggles with the death of brother Cedric "C.J." Mills, a Jefferson High School football star who was killed outside his house nearly two years ago. ...more

February 11, 2009

John Dock struggles with the death of his brother, Cedric "C.J." Mills, a Jefferson High School football star who was killed outside his house nearly two years ago. ...more

February 11, 2009

The Super Bowl trophies and rings, numerous as they are, don't tell the real story of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are outward signs of something you have to look a little closer to see, to a state of mind at a time when the stakes couldn't be greater. ...more

February 2, 2009

Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens circled out of the backfield late in the AFC Championship Game this month and sprinted downfield as a pass receiver. As the ball came toward him, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark read the play and rushed at full speed toward McGahee. ...more

January 31, 2009

TAMPA -- Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens circled out of the backfield late in the AFC Championship Game earlier this month and sprinted downfield as a pass receiver. As the ball came toward him, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark read the play and rushed at full speed toward McGahee. Clark crushed helmet-to-helmet into McGahee, who then lay motionless while Clark rolled on the ground nearby in pain. Neither athlete suffered a serious injury, and Clark will be on the field Sunday for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. But the same speed and ferocity that makes professional football the nation's top spectator sport has also raised concerns about player safety. ...more

January 30, 2009

Dan Rooney is in town this week, along with what might be the most successful professional football franchise in recent years. ...more

January 30, 2009

His Indianapolis Colts didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year. But Tony Dungy, ex-coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just may be one of the hottest tickets in town this week. ...more

January 30, 2009

As time passed during the 2008 NFL draft, Tim Hightower's heart felt all the more heavy. ...more

January 30, 2009

His Indianapolis Colts didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year. But Tony Dungy, a former coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just may be one of the hottest tickets in town this week. ...more

January 30, 2009