Pushed by Players, the N.F.L. Works to Embrace Mental Health

By BY ANNA KATHERINE CLEMMONS from NYT Sports N.F.L. teams have standardized support for mental wellness as their players fight social stigmas and the league’s “just play through it” ethos.https://nyti.ms/3cUSMck

Physically and Mentally Taxed, Olympic Hopefuls Near the Finish

By BY SCOTT CACCIOLA from NYT Sports The pandemic year disrupted athletes’ training routines, leaving many depressed, anxious and seeking help.https://nyti.ms/3jKE5O3

Naomi Osaka and the Changing Power Dynamics in Sports

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports With relatively few words, she said a lot as she bowed out of the French Open on her terms, reflecting the growing empowerment of athletes.https://nyti.ms/3fMaOjD

The Brain Within the Brain of a Rising Tennis Queen

By BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN from NYT Sports Iga Swiatek of Poland came out of nowhere to win the French Open in October. A sports psychologist was with her all the way.https://nyti.ms/3aEk85b

For Cameron Kinley and Navy, the Army Game Can Give 2020 a Highlight

By BY JULIET MACUR from NYT Sports The rivalry is being played at West Point, the first time the game has not been at a neutral site in 77 years.https://nyti.ms/37UeydE

Kevin Durant Says He’s Ready to Return. ‘It’ll Come Naturally.’

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports Durant, the Nets star, said he felt “solid” after missing all of last season with an Achilles’ tendon injury. It has been almost 18 months since his last N.B.A. game.https://nyti.ms/3mwSHil

She Had One Goal Before She Died: Finish That Last Marathon

By BY SANDRA E. GARCIA from NYT Sports Renee Seman ran six of the world’s major marathons after she learned she had breast cancer.https://nyti.ms/31zRc9k

The N.B.A. Has a New Mental Health Plan. What About the W.N.B.A?

By BY TALYA MINSBERG from NYT Sports After the W.N.B.A. finals, the league will enter off-season discussions that will dictate the future of the W.N.B.A. One top agenda item? Mental health care.https://nyti.ms/2nhPCJc

Kevin Love to Discuss Mental Health and Sports Culture

By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT Sports Love will be interviewed by Juliet Macur, a Sports of The Times columnist, at Tufts University on Thursday night.https://nyti.ms/2TXUGyb

How to Manage Stress Like an Olympic Biathlete

By TARA PARKER-POPE from NYT Sports The pressure of an intense physical race combined with methodical target shooting gives biathletes a unique perspective on coping with stress.http://nyti.ms/2sHTJ3w