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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.

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FIFA has dismissed Jérôme Valcke as its secretary general. Valcke, along with suspended President Sepp Blatter, has been the subject of a corruption inquiry.

FIFA has dismissed Jérôme Valcke as its secretary general. Valcke, along with suspended President Sepp Blatter, has been the subject of a corruption inquiry. Laurence Griffiths/FIFA via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption Laurence Griffiths/FIFA via Getty Images

The Two-Way

FIFA Fires Blatter Ally From Secretary General Post

FIFA had previously banned both Jérôme Valcke, its secretary general, and Sepp Blatter, its president, for 90 days, citing an inquiry into allegations of improper payments and mismanagement of funds.

St. Louis Rams To Pack Up And Move To Los Angeles

Southern California Public Radio

For the first time in more than two decades, pro football will be played in Los Angeles. The NFL announced the St. Louis Rams are moving for next season, and perhaps the Chargers and Raiders will too.

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Futbol Club Barcelona's Neymar da Silva Santos pours champagne over Adriano as their team won the final match against River Plate at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Dec. 20.

Futbol Club Barcelona's Neymar da Silva Santos pours champagne over Adriano as their team won the final match against River Plate at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Dec. 20. Shuji Kajiyama/AP hide caption

toggle caption Shuji Kajiyama/AP

Sweetness And Light

Soccer, The Normal-Sized Player's Game

It's called "the beautiful game," but sports commentator Frank Deford says that's because of who plays soccer, not because of how it's played.

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The St. Louis Rams will be moving to Los Angeles. It will be the first NFL franchise in the city since the Rams and Raiders left the city two decades ago.

The St. Louis Rams will be moving to Los Angeles. It will be the first NFL franchise in the city since the Rams and Raiders left the city two decades ago. Christopher Lee/The FA via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption Christopher Lee/The FA via Getty Images

The Two-Way

NFL Votes To Move Rams To Los Angeles, With Option For Chargers To Join Them

The NFL will be returning to LA for the first time in two decades. The vote, however, left a third applicant — the Oakland Raiders — out of the deal.

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.

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NFL Considers Bringing Football Back To Los Angeles

The NFL could announce a decision this week on whether football will return to Los Angeles. Two proposals have generated the most buzz, involving the move of existing teams to new proposed stadiums in the cities of Carson or Inglewood. Owners are meeting this week to discuss the plans.

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Tight end O.J. Howard of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a 53-yard touchdown Monday in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz.

Tight end O.J. Howard of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a 53-yard touchdown Monday in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Alabama Takes Control Late, Claims 4th College Football Title In 7 Seasons

The Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers, both better known for their defense, played a high-scoring game Monday night, with Alabama using long passes and an onside kick to get a 45-40 win.

Author Interviews

When 'One Breath' Tests Life: Author Explores Extreme Freediving

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Adam Skolnick about his new book about the extreme sport of freediving. It's called One Breath, and it focuses on the death in 2013 of freediver Nick Mevoli.

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Over 33 years of playing pickup basketball, Breslow has broken his nose, cracked ribs, torn muscles and sprained ankles.

Over 33 years of playing pickup basketball, Breslow has broken his nose, cracked ribs, torn muscles and sprained ankles. Niki Walker/NPR hide caption

toggle caption Niki Walker/NPR

Commentary

Friendships And Fractures: 30 Years Of Pickup Basketball

NPR's Peter Breslow started a weekly game in 1982. He wonders why he's still playing, all these years later.

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Forecast For Vikings-Seahawks Game Reminds Former Player Of 'Freezer Bowl'

The weather for Sunday's Vikings vs. Seahawks football game looks like it will be ridiculously cold. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Dave Lapham, a former player for the Cincinnati Bengals and currently the color analyst for the Bengals radio broadcast, about how to survive the frigid conditions.

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Author Interviews

Anonymous Football Player Details Fear Of Health Risks In 'NFL Confidential'

In part two of their conversation, NPR's Audie Cornish talks to an anonymous professional football player, whose new book is called NFL Confidential, about the fear of injury from playing football.

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