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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

Sports

Selection Sunday Produces 2016 March Madness Bracket

Kansas is the overall No. 1 seed. North Carolina got another of the top spots. The other No. 1s, Virginia and Oregon, were considered surprises in some circles. The 68-team tournament starts Tuesday.

Selection Sunday Produces 2016 March Madness Bracket

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Sports

Peyton Manning Retires, Maria Sharapova Fails Drug Test

Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning announced he will retire after 18 seasons. Tennis star Maria Sharapova said Monday she failed a drug test.

Peyton Manning Retires, Maria Sharapova Fails Drug Test

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Sports

Soccer Fans Skeptical New FIFA President Will Bring Needed Reform

World soccer's much-maligned governing body picks a new president this Friday. Much of the soccer-loving public disdains FIFA and is skeptical a new president will bring about positive change.

Soccer Fans Skeptical New FIFA President Will Bring Needed Reform

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For Pro Athletes, Knowing When It's Time To Call It Quits

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning during Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. Manning will meet the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 this Sunday. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Sports

For Pro Athletes, Knowing When It's Time To Call It Quits

Earlier in the season, many suggested Peyton Manning was through and should retire. He has since rebounded and will lead his Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers in Sunday's NFL Super Bowl.

For Pro Athletes, Knowing When It's Time To Call It Quits

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Sports

Buffalo Bills Appoint First Female Full-Time Coach In The NFL

The Buffalo Bills have appointed the first female full-time coach in the NFL. Kathryn Smith will be a quality control assistant coach on special teams. But whether this position means more future integration of women in the league remains unclear.

Buffalo Bills Appoint First Female Full-Time Coach In The NFL

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Sports

NFL Handles Fallout From Violent Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Playoff Game

The violence that spilled over in the NFL playoff game between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati last weekend was a reminder of the thin line between the controlled mayhem of an NFL game and actual mayhem.

NFL Handles Fallout From Violent Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Playoff Game

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Sports

Alabama Wins 4th College Football Title In 7 Seasons

Alabama beat Clemson 45-40 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday night. On the pro side of the sport, there's still fallout from the contentious Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Game.

Alabama Wins 4th College Football Title In 7 Seasons

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Movies

'Concussion' Forces Football Players To Contemplate Safety Risks

The new film Concussion has many football players thinking about the possible long-term health risks of the game. But that hasn't stopped two brothers from taking the field.

'Concussion' Forces Football Players To Contemplate Safety Risks

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Teaching Grit On The Water: A Top Coach Mixes Rowing With Life

Haley on the Willamette River. David P. Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David P. Gilkey/NPR

NPR Ed

Teaching Grit On The Water: A Top Coach Mixes Rowing With Life

For more than a decade, a rowing coach in Oregon has been teaching teenagers the value of hard work with tough love that sticks.

Teaching Grit On The Water: A Top Coach Mixes Rowing With Life

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Sports

FIFA Bans Soccer President Sepp Blatter For 8 Years

In a statement, FIFA said Blatter's ban was tied to a $2 million payment he made to FIFA Vice President Michel Platini. FIFA says that Blatter was not able to provide a "legal basis" for that payment.

FIFA Bans Soccer President Sepp Blatter For 8 Years

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Sports

Major League Baseball Upholds Ban On Pete Rose

Pete Rose will not be eligible for the Hall of Fame, at least for now. Major League Baseball announced Monday it was denying his plea for reinstatement. Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 for betting on the game.

Major League Baseball Upholds Ban On Pete Rose

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MLB Commissioner To Decide Whether To Reinstate Pete Rose

Former Cincinnati Reds player and manager Pete Rose has been banned from the game since 1989. But he could be reinstated. Gary Landers/AP hide caption

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Gary Landers/AP

The Two-Way

MLB Commissioner To Decide Whether To Reinstate Pete Rose

One of Major League Baseball's greatest players has been banned since 1989 for gambling on the game. But sports leagues' traditionally hard attitudes toward sports gambling seem to be softening.

MLB Commissioner To Decide Whether To Reinstate Pete Rose

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Sports

Judges To Hear Appeal Over NFL's Concussion Lawsuit Settlement

Former NFL players who are fighting the settlement terms will have their say in a federal appeals courtroom in Philadelphia on Thursday. Payouts for the potential $1 billion settlement are on hold.

Judges To Hear Appeal Over NFL's Concussion Lawsuit Settlement

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Sports

In A Night Of Terror, A Moment Of Grace On The Soccer Pitch

Scott talks with Tom Goldman about the latest in the world of sports — including a show of unity in the soccer stadium in Paris during Friday night's terror attacks.

In A Night Of Terror, A Moment Of Grace On The Soccer Pitch

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Heading Is On The Way Out For The Youngest U.S. Soccer Players

Children on Staten Island, N.Y., playing soccer. U.S. Soccer says it strongly urges all youth leagues around the country to follow the guidelines. Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance/Landov hide caption

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Hilton Flores/Staten Island Advance/Landov

The Two-Way

Heading Is On The Way Out For The Youngest U.S. Soccer Players

U.S. Soccer has agreed as part of the settlement of a lawsuit to eliminate heading for players 10 and under. Most kids don't play under the group's control, though, so the rules don't apply to them.