Nathan Fenno

Declassified cables from Berlin Wall tell tale of drama, dare,

The cable is among more than 11,000 pages of declassified documents released by the CIA and the National Declassification Center last week. The trove from 19 U.S. government agencies explores life in divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Published January 19, 2014

Judge denies settlement motion in NFL concussion lawsuit

More than 4,800 retired players have sued the NFL over head injuries. The settlement, if ultimately approved, would apply to all retired players, regardless of their participation in the litigation. Published January 14, 2014

Jay Gruden’s long and winding road to Washington

Almost three decades haven't removed the moment from Howard Schnellenberger's mind. Published January 9, 2014

FENNO: Championship game provides an opportunity to listen to those who play

Concussions aren't a pleasant conversation to have when the country's top two teams collide in one of the showcases of our national religion. We'd rather discuss point spreads and break down matchups and parse press conference double-speak than pull back the curtain around the helmeted gladiators who help the NCAA generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. Published January 5, 2014

FENNO: For Redskins, nonsensical is the new normal

They've had two winning seasons in the last eight years, haven't made back-to-back playoff appearances since 1991-92 and lost the final eight games of this season for the team's longest such streak since 1960. In the perpetually confused world of the Redskins under owner Dan Snyder, such impotence equates to "attractive" and "exciting." Published December 31, 2013

Another reconstruction: Shanahan leaves mess to clean up

Inside the press room at Redskins Park, long strips of Scotch tape held shades against the four windows and two doors in front of the building. Published December 30, 2013

Redskins fire Mike Shanahan after four seasons

The Washington Redskins fired Mike Shanahan on Monday morning, bringing to an end the tenure of a coach who four years ago seemed likely to return a once-proud franchise to its winning ways. Published December 30, 2013

FENNO: There’s a problem all right, but it isn’t solely Mike Shanahan

Since 2000, Dan Snyder has churned through seven head coaches. An eighth appears imminent if, as expected, Mike Shanahan is fired during his meeting with the owner Monday morning. Published December 29, 2013

FENNO: NCAA continues to prove it is hypocritical to the core

In 13 words, the NCAA kicked over what remains of the rickety foundation supporting the continued existence of the multi-billion dollar cartel. Published December 24, 2013

FENNO: Pierre Garcon’s record season can’t mask buffoonery around him

The last-ditch pass had fallen incomplete, bIn the third quarter, Garcon pulled in a 10-yard pass from Kirk Cousins. The receiver hurled the ball to the sideline. That gave Garcon 107 catches this year to break Art Monk's single-season franchise record that stood for 29 years.ut Pierre Garcon wasn't finished. Published December 22, 2013

In court filing, NCAA denies legal duty to protect athletes

On the same page as the denial of any legal duty to protect athletes, the NCAA admitted that the motivation behind the organization's establishment in 1906 involved such protection. The NCAA grew out of two White House conferences in 1905 following a spate of football-related deaths. Published December 18, 2013

FENNO: Indignation is all Mike Shanahan has left

The 60 minutes of ugliness between two of the NFL's dregs served as a reminder of how far the Redskins are from becoming anything approaching a perennial contender. They aren't close. Published December 15, 2013

FENNO: Honestly, Mike Shanahan, why should we believe you now?

"What I'm trying to do is be as honest as I can," Shanahan said at one point. "And I don't normally do that because I don't really think it's anybody's business except the guys in our locker room." OK, then. The red-faced coach normally isn't honest. Those are his words. But this time, well, trust him. These words are the truth. At least until they aren't. Published December 11, 2013

Robert Griffin III surprised at being benched by Mike Shanahan

The coach talked to owner Daniel Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen about the hits Griffin has taken in recent weeks. Shanahan said both men agreed that sitting Griffin was the right course. Published December 11, 2013

FENNO: High schooler Chris Cotillo balances MLB scoops, Spanish homework

The senior at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Mass., who has broken a string of national stories as Major League Baseball's offseason bazaar hums along. He doesn't make a dime for the pieces he writes for SB Nation's MLB Daily Dish, but views the non-stop demands of covering baseball's offseason as an investment in a career that has started earlier than he believed possible. Published December 10, 2013

Turmoil now a major part of Redskins’ game plan

Three masts from satellite television trucks reached into the gray skies above Redskins Park on Monday afternoon, lured by turmoil the franchise can't seem to escape. Published December 10, 2013

Mike Shanahan says he’d like to return to Redskins

During the first part of the press conference, Shanahan declined to say if he wanted to return to the Redskins next season before relenting 16 minutes in. "You always want to come back," Shanahan said. "You always want to come back." Published December 9, 2013

FENNO: Mike Shanahan’s empty words no salve to free-falling Redskins

Each week, you believe the Redskins have finally scraped bottom. Then the next embarrassment rolls in for an organization so addicted to drama that you'd swear the involvement of a Kardashian is the next logical development. Published December 8, 2013

FENNO: No obvious answer for Redskins in determining Mike Shanahan’s fate

Shanahan's tenure in Washington has amounted to a 24-36 regular-season record. That .400 winning percentage is just a notch better than the .375 percentage by Steve Spurrier and Jim Zorn in their four forgettable seasons coaching the Redskins. Published December 3, 2013

FENNO: After another loss, Redskins a franchise in free-fall

A deep voice carried through the locker room's gloom. "It hurts. It sucks," Brian Orakpo said. "What else can I say?" Used training tape, bits of turf and an orphaned white sock decorated the faded gold carpet under his feet. Late Sunday night, the locker room at FedEx Field emptied as fast as Redskins could shower and dress after the 24-17 loss to the Giants. Published December 2, 2013