Football - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Mike Tirico will call Super Bowl, then head to Italy as Olympics host

Mike Tirico doesn't have many firsts left in what has been an extraordinary career in broadcasting. Yet even for him, this isn't a typical February.

By JOE REEDY / The Associated Press February 7, 2026

AP file photo by Jeff Haynes / NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play call at the Super Bowl for the first time Sunday night in California, then head to Italy as the network's prime-time host for the Winter Olympics.

Trio of fans have made it to all 60 Super Bowls, but this may be their last trip

It just wouldn't feel like the Super Bowl for them if they weren't all there.

By PATRICK WHITTLE / The Associated Press February 7, 2026

AP Content Services for Hard Rock International photo by Constanza Hevia / From left, Don Crisman, 89, of Kennebunk, Maine, Gregory Eaton, 86, of Detroit, and Tom Henschel, 83, of Pittsburgh, the last three members of the "Never Miss a Super Bowl Club," celebrate their 60th trip to the NFL's big game during a news conference Friday at Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco.

Super Bowl LX: Why the Patriots will win the game

As the New England Patriots continued to rack up wins late in the regular season, coach Mike Vrabel shied away from mentioning the idea of a Super Bowl run.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER / The Associated Press February 7, 2026

AP photo by Greg M. Cooper / New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel greets receiver Stefon Diggs as he returns to the sideline after a touchdown during a home game against the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Jan. 18 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Super Bowl LX: Why the Seahawks will win the game

It appeared Jaxon Smith-Njigba would have his work cut out for him to replicate the success he enjoyed in his first 1,000-yard receiving season as an NFL player.

By ANDREW DESTIN / The Associated Press February 7, 2026

AP photo by Jed Jacobsohn / Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is congratulated by head coach Mike Macdonald during the regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 3 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. arrested after crash in police chase

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested near Miami on Saturday night after what police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.

By CHARLES ODUM / The Associated Press February 7, 2026

AP photo by Danny Karnik / Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. walks off the field after a home game against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Super Bowl LX preview: Lombardi on the line as Patriots face Seahawks

The journeys taken by the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl may not be the same, but they are similarly special.

By ROB MAADDI / The Associated Press February 6, 2026

San Francisco Chronicle photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez via AP / Quarterbacks Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, left, and Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks smile on stage with the Lombardi Trophy during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday in San Jose, Calif. The Patriots and the Seahawks will meet Sunday in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara.

Pro Football Hall of Fame will consider changes to voting and voters

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will consider making changes to both the voting panel and the process of choosing inductees for the shrine in Canton, Ohio.

By JOSH DUBOW / The Associated Press February 6, 2026

AP photo by Steven Senne / New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft, left, and former head coach Bill Belichick embrace during a news conference on Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. All six of the Super Bowl titles won by the franchise came under Belichick, who led the team for 24 seasons from 2000 to 2023.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP award for 2025 season

Matthew Stafford walked away with the NFL MVP award, then delivered a declaration that he's coming back to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.

By ROB MAADDI / The Associated Press February 5, 2026

AP photo by Charlie Riedel / Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford accepts the league MVP trophy during the NFL Honors awards show Thursday night at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class led by prolific pair, but no Belichick

The numbers kept coming as quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald kept playing in lengthy NFL careers that took them up the statistical charts.

By JOSH DUBOW The Associated Press February 5, 2026

AP photo by Charlie Riedel / From left, Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 inductees Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, Roger Craig and Drew Brees stand on stage during the NFL Honors awards show Thursday night at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

Titans fill last coordinator vacancy, hire Gus Bradley to head up defense

Gus Bradley is returning to the AFC South Division and reuniting with Robert Saleh as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

By The Associated Press February 4, 2026

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