SWINGING A TORCH is a weekly sports column that highlights superlative developments in sports. There will be consistent categories every week that will be refreshed on a Thursday to Thursday cycle week by week. There will also be categories and lists that are consistently updated throughout the year as a sports season unfolds. I plan to keep a running list of champions in the main sports ever present on SWINGING A TORCH as well as consistently updated NFL and NBA draft thoughts. I will also highlight notable fashion statements in sports as they arise. Please stay tuned as this column grows week over week:
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
The Million Dollar Band is tuning up a sad song this morning, Nick Saban has turned in his key fab. The most iconic coach in college football is hanging up his straw hat. Nick Saban coached college football teams for 28 seasons. He has never had a losing season. Two of his Michigan State teams went 6-6 (1996, 1998). That is as close to a losing season that he ever experienced. He started his head coaching career at Toledo in 1990. He coached at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama. He spent a short time in the NFL with Dolphins but craved the control of his program that college football offered. His 7 national championship victories are a record. In 17 seasons at Alabama his teams were ranked #1 at some point during the season in 15 of them. He has amassed a net worth of around 100 million dollars for his efforts. In 28 seasons he has an .806 winning percentage. According to Yahoo Sports he has had a record 49 players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. This week the choice was easy; Nick Saban enjoy retirement. Your coaching peers are glad they don't have to worry about you anymore. Before you go you are this week's Straight Fire example of undeniable greatness.
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
Iconic. Tiger Woods walking down the 18th fairway on a Sunday wearing a red Nike Polo and black Nike pants. This outfit has accompanied one of the most recognizable moments in sports over the last 27 years. Other golfers feared the "Sunday Red". When he would step on the practice driving range with the lead on a Sunday at a tournament the outfit was part of the mental warfare he would wage on his opponents. This past week Tiger's partnership with the swoosh came to end. But in what is turning into a nostalgic "Swinging A Torch" Tiger Woods and Nike are our Torch Swingers of the week as a salute to all the incredible golf history they partnered to author. Enjoy maybe the greatest Nike-Tiger collaboration below:
THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players (Under 25 Years of Age) to Watch:
NOTE: THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS I BELIEVE SOMEONE BECOMES ELIGIBLE. These are not just great players. This is a list of players I have identified who have the qualities it takes to be franchise cornerstones.
MLB:
CORBIN CARROLL (23 Years Old) - Arizona Diamondbacks - Outfielder (Nominated in 2023)
NFL:
C.J. STROUD (22 Years Old) - Houston Texans - Quarterback (Nominated in 2023)
NBA:
TYRESE MAXEY (23 Years Old) - Philadelphia 76ers - Point Guard (Nominated in 2023)
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
WOULD YOU RATHER WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AS A COLLEGE BASKETBALL OR COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH?
I would rather win a national championship as a college basketball coach. The mystique of March Madness is too difficult for me to say no too. I also like the idea of having a 12 player roster, seems like it is possible to make a more direct impact on a smaller roster, than having 90 players to care for. How about you? Share your answer in the comments below?
GIBBS EYE CATCHING SPORTS MOMENT OF THE WEEK:
Move to the 1-minute mark in the above video and you will experience a wonder strike of dizzying skill from Patrick Bamford. He created a memory for those assembled for the 3-0 Leeds United victory. This was the most eye-catching sports moment I enjoyed this past week.
PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT (THIS IS NOT SPONSORED)
NOTE: I am excited to share our PRO FAN LEAGUE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT section. We are "NOT JUST FANS" at Pro Fan League. We are passionate about the work God is doing through all sorts of people in the world. As a tribute to this reality we will spotlight a business/entrepreneur/worker we believe demonstrates well the PRO FAN LEAGUE ethos each month. We will also keep running links to these business websites like a hall of fame:
JANUARY 2024 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: THREAD THERAPY and TIM HEGEDUS
I would like to introduce Tim Hegedus and his online e-bay store "THREAD THERAPY" to the Pro Fan League Community. Tim dutifully collects vintage sports gear and classic sports and designer clothing and sells them to avid sports fans on his e-bay store. Click the link (in gold below) to see what he has available. Be sure to check back often because his collection changes consistently. You never know what he is going to find. Thread Therapy | eBay Stores
Tim shares, "Thread Therapy has been open for about 4 years. It started a bit prior to the Covid-era. I was left with a good amount of time to explore different sources of income and also to tap into my hobbies. I was motivated to start Thread Therapy as a way to increase my knowledge of vintage clothing niches, especially professional sportswear and outdoors wear. Plus, I loved the idea of it being an extra income stream and providing people with the quality items they'd been looking for. The hunt is addicting!"
I chose to feature "THREAD THERAPY" in this space for two reasons. First, I am inspired when I see people starting businesses that align with their passions and providing a quality service or good. Tim is an example of this. He is going through life, serving people around him with his gifts and talents and taking responsibility with his skill set. I am amazed at the variety and uniqueness of what he finds, and I would likely not get my eyes on much of his inventory if not for his skills. I believe he sets a good example for each of us to go for it if you feel like you have something to contribute to society. I am glad he has taken initiative with this project.
Secondly, Pro Fan League is sports centric and business centric. This business provides a good case study in both. It is important to us to provide value at Pro Fan League for the community. I reviewed this online store and the treasures it holds and felt strongly that it needed to be brought to the attention of the sports fan. Tim truly finds items that are interesting, unique, and entertaining. If you are looking for a unique sports present for someone or for yourself this store might just aid you in that endeavor.
PAST BUSINESS OF THE MONTH LINKS:
December 2023:
Manufacture Good: www.manufacturegood.org and fullstackfirewood.com
PRO FAN LEAGUE FAVORITES: BLESSINGS OF HOPE - blessingsofhope.com
Blessings of Hope is an organization based out of Lancaster County Pennsylvania that will have a prominent place often on this page and in "The Pro Fan League Podcast". Blessings of Hope uses all sorts of channels to rescue food that would otherwise be thrown out and sources that food into the hands of people who need it and can use it. I will write more at length about them in the future. This ministry makes an amazing difference with multiple levels of impact. This is not a sponsored post, I put them on this blog and in my podcasts because they have earned the right to be known. If you are looking for a way to serve or give this holiday season, please check them out. They are always in need of volunteers. For now, please view this video, I will let it do the communicating.
NOT JUST FANS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
James 4:14 in the Bible shares these words, "You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
This week in sports many unexpected developments have taken place that have brought me to a place of reflection. In the course of a week, Bill Belichick has an uncertain future as Patriots head coach, Pete Carroll steps down as Seahawks head coach, Nick Saban retires, and Tiger Woods and Nike stop their partnership. For the larger part of my life on this earth those four people have been in dominant positions across the sports landscape on a cyclical basis. As I consider what the world of sports looks like without them in roles I have grown accustomed too I was drawn to the verse I opened with..."You do not know what will happen tomorrow."
Questions have piled into my mind, who will be next? How do these decisions affect the world of sports? In what fashion will the organizations move forward? Will these men resurface in some unexpected place like Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors did? Opportunity has now opened up now for other parties affected by these developments.
Amidst change it is easy for fear to creep in. What I know to be true is God the Father knows even when I feel uncertain. He is not surprised. He is at work. He "has the whole world in His hands" as the classic child song goes. New coaches and partnerships will arise. Wins and losses will occur, but we can take great hope amidst change that Jesus Christ is alive and preparing a new kingdom that will reign on earth that cannot be shaken. He stands ready to save from sins and to impart new life. This life is a vapor. Sports legacies are fragile and short lived in the scope of eternity. Let us pray that we can keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ as we wait for His return and live out our days.
Go Make Plays! I am cheering for you! We are "Not Just Fans".
GIBBS
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