Sports

The media lionized the football star amid stories of his perseverance after the death of his girlfriend. Now the girlfriend's existence has been called into question, casting an unflattering light on the practices of the media.

The NHL season is expected to start Saturday. A lockout cut in half the number of games to be played and many worried it would cause economic hardship. But that is not necessarily the case.

Enthusiasm for sport can be a convenient cover to excuse the worst in us, says Frank Deford, because concussions for young men are the price of our love for football.

Just after a heavy weekend of football, Steve Inskeep talks to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal about the business of the NFL in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.

New York Knicks captain Amar'e "STAT" Stoudemire is a six-time All-Star, an education activist and the author of three books for middle-schoolers. In his latest release, an injury helps an 11-year-old STAT learn lessons both on and off the court.

Host Scott Simon talks to NPR's Tom Goldman about the NFL playoffs and how this exciting time of year for football fans has been somewhat overshadowed by talk of concussions.

The new policies are being hailed as unprecedented in American professional sports. Starting next year, the league will be fighting the use of human growth hormone and testosterone, two allegedly popular banned substances.

Audie Cornish talks to sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about news in the National Football League. They cover the injury of Washington Redskins' quarterback Robert Griffin III, new information about brain damage sustained by the late linebacker Junior Seau, and a preview of the weekend's playoff games.

The Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2013 will not have any new inductees from the ranks of the recently retired. That's despite a list of candidates that includes Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III had surgery today to repair damage to his right knee. Griffin initially injured his knee during a December matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but continued to take the field. NPR's Mike Pesca discusses the decision that's sparked a national debate.

Alabama won its second consecutive BCS title Monday night. The Crimson Tide beat No. 1 Notre Dame 42-14.

The news that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong might be willing to confess to the doping charges he spent years denying has reopened interest in his case — and opens the question of whether his lifetime ban from competitive sports could be eased in exchange for Armstrong's cooperation.