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Tom Goldman Tom Goldman is NPR's sports correspondent. His reports can be heard throughout NPR's news programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on NPR.org.
Tom Goldman at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., September 27, 2018. (photo by Allison Shelley)
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Tom Goldman

Tiger Woods Withdraws From Tournament

Tiger Woods withdrew Monday from his own golf tournament following injuries he sustained in a car crash near his home in Florida. Rumors have swirled about the crash and Woods' personal life since Friday's incident. In a statement, golf's No. 1 player said the crash was his fault, but did not elaborate.

Tiger Woods Withdraws From Tournament

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Friday Night Lives

Football Recruits, Families Face Fierce Rush

Being the center of the high school football attention has changed as recruiting now starts earlier and earlier. Players and parents may rush college decisions just to put an end to the recruitment process.

Football Recruits, Families Face Fierce Rush

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Sports

Olympic Medalist Stripped Of Gold

The International Olympic Committee has stripped Bahrain's Rashid Ramzi of his gold medal from the Beijing Games. In taking his medal for the 1,500 meters, the IOC said Ramzi committed anti-doping violations. Four other athletes were also sanctioned for doping.

Olympic Medalist Stripped Of Gold

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Friday Night Lives

Halftime Is A Warm-Up Act For Marching Bands

For Sunset High School's band, Friday night games help prepare for Saturday competitions. That's when band parents and friends cheer for these champions from Portland, Ore., as lustily as football fans and when judges rate musicianship and movement.

Halftime Is A Warm-Up Act For Marching Bands

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Sports

House Hears Testimony On Football, Head Injuries

The suspected link between football head injuries and brain problems has been the subject of great debate, and it played out again at a hearing Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league and said that the care of retired players was a priority.

House Hears Testimony On Football, Head Injuries

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A Brain Battered By Football

George Visger, 51, has severe short-term-memory loss due to multiple head injuries experienced while playing football. Lianne Milton for NPR hide caption

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Lianne Milton for NPR

Friday Night Lives

A Brain Battered By Football

The years of hard hits have left former NFL player George Visger with severe memory loss. His doctors warn his brain problems could get worse quickly. While he struggles with his short-term memory, his days as a star high school lineman are vivid and special.

A Brain Battered By Football

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Sports

Limbaugh Dropped From Rams Bid

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the NFL's St. Louis Rams. News that Limbaugh may be part owner of the team sparked criticism because of his past comments that many consider offensive.

Limbaugh Dropped From Rams Bid

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Sports

Rhetoric Heats Up Around Limbaugh's NFL Bid

The NFL's woeful, winless St. Louis Rams are the talk of the sports and news media because conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh reportedly is part of a group interested in buying the team. There've been some strong statements in light of Limbaugh's racially charged comments in recent years.

Rhetoric Heats Up Around Limbaugh's NFL Bid

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High School Football Refs: Ghosts Of The Gridiron

Umpire Gilbert signals a score. He has been a high school football official for the past 20 years. Tom Goldman/NPR hide caption

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Friday Night Lives

High School Football Refs: Ghosts Of The Gridiron

Football is often called controlled mayhem, and we have the officials to thank for the controlled part. But any self-respecting football referee would prefer to be invisible during play. "The best game is one where the officials are totally incognito," say high school football ref Rick Gilbert. But take a close look. There's more than black and white stripes.

High School Football Refs: Ghosts Of The Gridiron

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Sports

Study Links NFL, Higher Dementia Rates

Former professional football players are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and similar diseases at an alarming rate, says a study commissioned by the NFL. Head injuries have long been a concern of NFL players, and this report has put the league in a tough situation.

Study Links NFL, Higher Dementia Rates

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Friday Night Lives

Exchange Students Tackle Football, English In Oregon

In Unity, Ore., the Burnt River Bulls play in the 8-man football High Desert League — and they often turn out their minimum number of players. But that's not the only challenge the team faces: The majority of the players are international — and they're still learning the basics of the game, not to mention English.

Exchange Students Tackle Football, English In Oregon

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Friday Night Lives

Young Polynesians Make A Life Out Of Football

Scroll NFL and college football rosters and you'll see the distinctive names from the Pacific Islands. With their traditionally broad, solid bodies and competitive nature, Polynesians have distinguished themselves at the elite levels of the game. Many start at high schools in Utah.

Young Polynesians Make A Life Out Of Football

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Friday Night Lives

Emotional Game Honors Slain Coach In Iowa

Thousands of people turned out Friday night to watch the Aplington-Parkersburg High School football team play — and win — its first game since 1975 without legendary head coach Ed Thomas. A former player has been charged with shooting Thomas to death in June.

Emotional Game Honors Slain Coach In Iowa

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Friday Night Lives

Football, Grief And Resolve At Iowa High School

Tiny Aplington-Parkersburg High in Parkersburg, Iowa, plays its first game Friday since the slaying of its beloved coach, Ed Thomas, allegedly by a former player. The coach was a pillar of the community, and was instrumental in rebuilding efforts after Parkersburg was devastated by a tornado last year.

Football, Grief And Resolve At Iowa High School

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