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 - MOQUAKE MOMENT EXAMPLES!
We have been introducing the world to "BIG MO" the mascot of The Pro Fan League Franchise; The Lancaster Thunder, on The Pro Fan League Podcast this week. I spoke of sporting events that I would qualify as a "MOQUAKE MOMENT". This week on the blog we will featuring examples of "MOQUAKE MOMENTS" from history to help paint a picture of what qualifies.
These moments are special times in sports where the response from the crowd could register on the Richter scale and the fans in the arena feel uniquely blessed to have been in attendance. In August 2009 at the World Championships, Mr. Bolt treated sports fans to a record breaking 9.58 second 100-meter performance. This was a "MOQUAKE MOMENT." Watch here (Click on here). What a performance. Was the track smoking as he ran on it? A legendary "Straight Fire" example of undeniable greatness!
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
A second example of a "MOQUAKE MOMENT". This time representing an all time great "Torch Swinger" sports experience. When the 1980 U.S. Hockey team beat Russia in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid this created a historic "MOQUAKE Moment". One of the greatest underdog sports victories sports has ever seen. Enjoy!
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?
MICHAEL JORDAN TURNS 61 NEXT MONTH; DO YOU THINK HE COULD SCORE FOUR POINTS IN AN NBA GAME RIGHT NOW? NO TRAINING, HE THROWS ON A PAIR OF JORDANS AND WALKS ON THE FLOOR...
My answer to this question is..."YES". I think Michael Jordan through sheer craftiness could find his way to four points in an NBA game today. The question for me is more could his conditioning hold up long enough to get four buckets? All that taken into consideration, are four points still within reach for him at 6 decades old? What do you think? Is this disrespectful to current NBA players or a testament to MJ's basketball ability? Please share or comment, I am interested to hear your thoughts.
GIBBS EYE CATCHING SPORTS MOMENT OF THE WEEK:
Damian Lillard hosted a pool party of sorts in Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum on Sunday January 14, 2024. In an overtime thriller he treated the crowd to a game winning "splash". The defense offered by De'Aaron Fox of the Kings on the play was soft as a fresh cream puff; but Lillard still had to get the bucket and he did. A sensational ending to an entertaining contest which featured a triple double from each team. GAME, SET, MATCH, BUCKS...143-142.
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!"
Tim's favorite pieces of sports clothing he owns from his hunting is..."a reversible Champion Golden State Warriors practice jersey. On both sides it has the Warriors graphic and the number 11. Even though it is a 90s piece, it is nice to have Klay Thompson's number on this piece. I wear it all the time while playing basketball myself or at open gyms. However, my favorite vintage sports piece I own is a 90s Champion Phoenix Suns bomber jacket. This jacket has the coveted 90s Suns graphic across the front with beautiful purple trim. The orange streaks across the chest really make this jacket pop."
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:
Since I started writing this column thirteen weeks ago, I have been consistently amazed how much goes on in the world of sports on a weekly basis. Sorting through available stories and deciding what to write about or talk about is always an interesting undertaking. This undertaking also brings me face to face with how quickly life goes by. How fleeting a moment of glory or excitement can be. Pure excitement, followed by a sense of well now that is over...
Game winners, contracts, wins, losses, and fashion styles all proceed by like a brisk parade. We see them and enjoy them and then they are gone replaced by the next moment. This can become a tiring grind. Life can be a turbulent experience of ups and downs, victories and demands, and we see this in the world of sports week over week.
Players who were once great starting to slow down. Games rescheduled due to deaths and weather events. People choosing to retire unexpectedly, transferring schools, getting fired, and leaving teams by their own doing. Players, coaches, and front office personnel working through trials and challenges in their own families and lives in front of a watching world.
I am sure in your own life there are ups and downs you are living through. In my life there are ups and downs I am living through. What endures? Who is a great anchor? Where do we find energy to press on?
I was drawn to Revelation 22 in the Bible as I thought about these questions. Jesus is talking and he calls himself the "Alpha and Omega", "the Bright Morning Star", "the Root". I was comforted by Jesus in this chapter and these descriptions. In a volatile world He is steady and full of love for His people. "The Root" he is a grounding force.
When you think life is throwing you about; know that in Christ your reality can be rooted in His presence and promises. There is no turbulence to be found in the person of Jesus Christ. Every day He is working on behalf of the people He has called to himself, standing ready to save, "making all things new" (Revelation 21:5). Jesus says he is coming soon, let us be watching for Him. May we have a growing faith as we look forward to the day when he returns. May we receive comfort in a turbulent and fleeting world from the enduring greatness of Jesus Christ. Let's pray that God grows our faith in these ways. Go Make Plays! I am cheering for you! We are "NOT JUST FANS"!
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Usain Bolt: 541621430.jpg (2400×1799) (publicbroadcasting.net) 1980 U.S. Hockey Team: miracle-1441284435-800.jpg (641×441) (sportskeeda.com)
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