The N.F.L.’s Hypocrisy Was on Full Display in Gruden’s Emails

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports As the league is trying to send a signal about inclusion and diversity, hate-filled correspondence between football power brokers reveals entrenched values.https://nyti.ms/2X7LPRd

Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’

By BY JONATHAN ABRAMS from NYT Sports The jingoism at sporting events that temporarily surged during the Gulf War and roared back after Sept. 11 now often drives wedges, but sports leagues want it to stay.https://nyti.ms/2X2xnJM

N.F.L. Will Allow Six Social Justice Messages on Players’ Helmets

By BY MICHAEL LEVENSON from NYT Sports The decals, with messages such as “Stop Hate” and “Black Lives Matter,” are part of the league’s efforts to show solidarity with players who have protested against racism and police brutality.https://nyti.ms/2WVnPk5

New Rules on Olympics Protests Already Causing Discord

By BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN from NYT Sports The International Olympic Committee has loosened its rules on political speech at the Games. Olympic leaders in the United States and plenty of athletes say the changes don’t go far enough.https://nyti.ms/3xojLFS

Olympics Allows Protests, but Not During Events or on Medals Stand

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports A policy change by the International Olympic Committee acknowledges an era of athlete activism but will attempt to keep some stages off limits.https://nyti.ms/3ymKMtD

These N.B.A. Playoffs Burst 2020’s Bubble

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports The confined, roiled 2020 N.B.A. playoffs reflected their times. So, too, do this year’s celebratory games.https://nyti.ms/2QOrflI

A Brooklyn Artist Wants Sports Fans to Wear Their Names

By BY BEN OSBORNE from NYT Sports A Brooklyn artist uses sports iconography to commemorate Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and other Black victims of violence.https://nyti.ms/3uodok2

On Loving Drew Brees, and Deciding Not to Cancel Him

By BY TALMON JOSEPH SMITH from NYT Sports While Brees was the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, his deep connection to the predominantly Black city was threatened by his criticism of those who protested during the national anthem.https://nyti.ms/3rW9pdB

In Georgia, Pro Teams Dive Into Senate Races With Different Playbooks

By BY KEN BELSON from NYT Sports The W.N.B.A.’s Atlanta Dream backed a candidate for the Senate running directly against a co-owner of the team; the N.F.L.’s Atlanta Falcons promoted voter participation in general.https://nyti.ms/38di97N

N.F.L. Announces the Weeknd for Its Super Bowl Halftime Show

By BY KEN BELSON, KATHERINE ROSMAN AND BEN SISARIO from NYT Sports The hitmaker, who blends R&B and cutting-edge grooves, will perform at a show that may have to bend to pandemic precautions.https://nyti.ms/35mXP2w

How Trump Lost Sports as a Political Strategy

By BY JERÉ LONGMAN from NYT Sports After George Floyd’s death, many athletes and sports leagues pushed back more forcefully against the president’s demand for standing during the national anthem, and he shifted away from the issue.https://nyti.ms/3eObNNQ

Seats? Empty. Crowd Noise? Artificial. Giants? Still Bad.

By BY DAVID WALDSTEIN from NYT Sports A team that has scraped together only 12 wins in their last three seasons, combined, started this one with another loss.https://nyti.ms/2ZH8nGx

The Eerie Silence of an N.F.L. Stadium Makes the Game Even More for TV

By BY ELENA BERGERON from NYT Sports The Superdome in New Orleans had a dystopian feel as football returned without one of its most loyal congregations. Oh, and Tom Brady flopped as the Saints beat the Buccaneers, 34-23.https://nyti.ms/2FuYxjU

N.F.L. Week 1: Live Updates From Opening Sunday

By BY ELENA BERGERON from NYT Sports Some familiar faces joined new teams — looking at you, Tom Brady and Cam Newton — and young stars like Lamar Jackson are ready to pick up where they left off in a season unlike any other.https://nyti.ms/3isQQJg

N.F.L. Week 1: Live Updates From Opening Sunday

By BY ELENA BERGERON from NYT Sports Some familiar faces joined new teams — looking at you, Tom Brady and Cam Newton — and young stars like Lamar Jackson are ready to pick up where they left off in a season unlike any other.https://nyti.ms/3isQQJg

What to Know About N.F.L. Week 1

By BY ELENA BERGERON from NYT Sports Some familiar faces joined new teams — looking at you, Tom Brady and Cam Newton — and young stars like Lamar Jackson are ready to pick up where they left off in a season unlike any other.https://nyti.ms/3iqoKyl

Chiefs’ New Normal Looks Familiar in Win Over Texans

By BY ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Kansas City’s Super Bowl title defense began with boos from a reduced capacity home crowd and ended with a resounding victory.https://nyti.ms/3bOE3hL

The N.F.L. Pledged to Start on Time. These Changes Made It Happen.

By BY BEN SHPIGEL from NYT Sports The league stuck to plans to open its season on Sept. 10 even as pandemic spikes, player opt-outs and racial unrest forced alterations.https://nyti.ms/35mzbzf

A Momentous First Night Back for the N.B.A.

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports Close games, social justice protests and a principal role for Rudy Gobert, again.https://nyti.ms/2EEbEP9

A Momentous First Night for the N.B.A.

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports Close games, social justice protests, and a principal role for Rudy Gobert, again.https://nyti.ms/2XvaLz9