art rooney

The father-and-son tradition of pro football means merit is often a secondary consideration in hiring, and minority coaches often have trouble getting in at the ground level.

On a cool, clear day made for football, Art Modell was laid to rest. Just 12 hours after the Ravens won their opener, 44-13 over the Cincinnati Bengals, more than 400 people — including quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice and linebacker Ray Lewis — gathered at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation to pay homage to Modell, the team's former owner, who died at 87 on Sept. 6.

Hines Ward, a longtime nemesis of the Ravens, won¿t return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2012 season. The Steelers announced on their website Wednesday that they plan to release the veteran wide receiver.