US president Donald Trump's criticism of American football players who kneel during the national anthem has sparked a mass increase in such protests around the NFL, as about 200 players sat, knelt or raised their fists in defiance.

United States president Donald Trump followed up his scathing comments about protesting NFL players by withdrawing an invitation to NBA champions the Golden State Warriors to attend the White House.

Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennett has claimed police threatened to shoot him last month in Las Vegas for "being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time".

You know the drill. The music cranks up, you shake off the rust from your joints and you climb to your feet.

Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin has been sacked in the aftermath of their Wembley loss to AFC East rivals the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he has been fined $10,000 (€7,927) by the NFL for the pink "Beats by Dre" brand name headphones he wore around his neck after Sunday’s game.

Whether or not Beyonce’s elaborate half-time show caused the subsequent power outage in New Orleans’ Superdome on Sunday night, the Baltimore Ravens’ second Super Bowl title was achieved in an electrifying manner that confirms this current era as a golden one for the sport.

Baltimore 34 San Francisco 31

The Atlanta Falcons survived one of the most outstanding comebacks in recent NFL memory, ending the Seattle Seahawks’ incredible season with a 30-28 victory that sets up an NFC Championship showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.