Topic: Football

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

20 most obscure team nicknames in pro sports

Most pro team nicknames make sense at some level. But there are a fair number of head-scratching nicknames. Here are 20 with explanations on their selection:
NFL new uniforms, best to worst

The Jacksonville Jaguars and three other teams have released new uniform designs in the past year – with mixed results. Here are the league's four new uniforms, subjectively ranked from worst to best.
Who handled Major League Baseball’s ceremonial first-pitch honors in 2013?

One of the most anticipated moments of any baseball season occurs when ceremonial first pitches are thrown at each of 30 major-league ballparks. Often the identity of the persons or persons doing the honors is kept a secret until the last minute. Here’s the lineup of the 2013 VIPs:
‘Long Shot’: 8 observations shared in Mike Piazza’s autobiography

Check out some of Piazza's thoughts on baseball from his autobiography 'Long Shot.'
Fake identities: Manti Te'o scandal and 6 other Internet hoaxes

Believe it or not, the Manti Te'o scandal is not the first online identity hoax, nor the longest-standing. Here's a look at some of the biggest scams to surface on the Internet, from the lives and deaths of fictitious characters to the downfall of their makers.

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Sports in 2012: here are some Monitor highlights

It’s impossible to list all the records set in 2012, but here’s a short rundown of some heralded highlights, plus 20 of our favorites, including some you might have missed.
Cover Story Progress watch 2012: Smart phones, jobs returning to America, and war crimes trials

The often-slow arc of good news may not make headlines. But 2012 brought its quiet share: from extreme poverty dropping by half since 1990 to a robot with the bulky profile of an NFL player that may have a role in bringing jobs back to the US.
Snow piles up in New England

On Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning parts of southern New England and the Northeast received up to a foot of snow. Some lost power, while others were stranded trying to travel.
Seahawks nothing short of sensational. A Week 16 NFL quiz

The Seattle Seahawks continue to soar in the NFC West. To test your knowledge of Week 16 NFL developments, take this 18-question quiz.
The Monitor's View: Take steroids out of college football

An in-depth investigation shows that despite avowals to the contrary, college football programs are rife with the use of illegal steroids. A tougher stand is needed.
Modern Parenthood One young chess player shows the power of parental support

A 16-year-old chess player from Nigeria and his mother inspired a Virginia town.
Robert Griffin III: Redskins QB's jersey breaks sales records

Robert Griffin III Redskins jersey has set the all-time sales record for NFL jerseys since the league started keeping track – and with a Redskins playoff berth possibly looming, he is bound to sell many more. What makes Robert Griffin III so marketable?
Jets and Giants bring 'Big Angst' to the 'Big Apple.' A Week 15 NFL quiz

The two New York City football teams stumbled during Week 15 of the NFL season. To test your knowledge of this and other NFL developments, take this 16-question quiz.
Diet Pepsi changes its sweetener to compete with Coke

DIet Pepsi used to be sweetened with aspartame; now, it lists a mix of artificial sweeteners. The Diet Pepsi sweetener change is part of a major rebranding effort for the soft drink, which has lost some of its market share to Coca-Cola in recent years.
Saints 'Bountygate' player suspensions overturned by Tagliabue

In reversing the penalties handed out before the season, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the Saints players and coaches acted to the detriment of the league.
Patriots have their December game faces on. A Week 14 NFL quiz

Both the Falcons and Texans have stumbled, of late. To test your knowledge of NFL Week 14 developments, take our quiz.
Johnny Manziel, a freshman, snags the Heisman

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel made football history Saturday night by winning the Heisman Trophy, a feat never before accomplished by a freshman.
Army-Navy: Honoring tradition, football and otherwise

The annual Army vs. Navy game is one of the nation's oldest football rivalries, dating back to 1890. The football teams from the US Military and US Naval Academies honor all those who came before them.
Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady have a baby girl

A baby girl – named Vivian – joined the family of supermodel Gisele Bundchen and football star Tom Brady.
Finding my voice

How a shy, quiet child became a superloud fan.
2012 Heisman Trophy finalists: History will be made, whoever wins

Three distinct college football players will make their way to New York City later this week for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Robert Griffin III plays like Tim Tebow, only better

Robert Griffin III, aka RG3, gives NFL fans something different by running the triple option offense. But RG3 must continue to evolve his QB skills to survive in the NFL.
RGIII, the guy’s a winner, obviously. A Week 13 NFL quiz

The Redskins' rookie quarterback led his team to a critical NFC East win. To test your knowledge of other Week 13 NFL developments, take this 12-question quiz.
Heisman history: from Berwanger to Manziel? A football quiz

To gauge your Heisman Trophy IQ, try taking this 20-question quiz.
Bob Costas comments on gun control: Should he be fired?

Bob Costas ignited a Twitter storm with his gun control commentary. 'Sanctimonious dreck,' tweeted Herman Cain. It's not the first time Bob Costas has courted controversy on the air.
Need help with money? Play a game.

New online games help players with money by making personal finance fun. 'Financial Football' teaches basic money concepts. 'SaveUp' helps members with money by rewarding them for saving.
Bob Costas advocates gun control during half time show. Did he cross a line?

Bob Costas, the NBC broadcaster, called for gun control following the murder-suicide by Kansas City Chiefs player Jovan Belcher. Costas views sparked an immediate uproar in social media.
Cam Newton’s sophomore slump? Forget about it! A Week 12 NFL quiz

Test your knowledge of NFL Week 12 developments, including Monday night's Cam Newton Show, leading the Panthers over the Eagles.
Do you know your National Football League history? Take our quiz

OK, serious pro football fans, here’s an opportunity to show your stuff. It’s first down and 30 questions to proving just how much you know about NFL history with this wide-ranging test.
Thanksgiving Day by the numbers: 10 mind-stuffing facts

Data from the Census and other sources provide some numerical insights into Thanksgiving, arguably the most cherished national holiday.