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
Patrick Mahomes has been the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs since 2018. Since he took the lead, the Chiefs have never missed the AFC Championship game. 6 seasons as the starter 6 appearances in the AFC Conference Championship. Check out this excellent article in Sporting News to get an in-depth idea of the company he is keeping with this achievement. The New England Patriots dynasty has the NFL record with a run of 8. This streak is currently number 2 on the list. Mahomes and Travis Kelce just passed Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski for most playoff TD connections by a duo in NFL history with 16 trips to paydirt. History is taking place right in front of us this weekend during the Chiefs/Ravens playoff game on a number of levels. Sit back and enjoy a great game this weekend, and no matter the outcome don't fail to appreciate the historical significance of Patrick Mahomes presence in the game once again. Also, remember he is only 28. It would seem there is a lot of stories to be potentially written. We applaud the Chiefs and their gun slinger for this accomplishment this week's straight fire example of undeniable greatness. With the NFL Draft around the corner, take a stroll down memory lane. Get a look at Patrick Mahomes before all the NFL success:
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
Nick Dunlap is a 20-year-old golfer from Alabama. This was his fourth PGA tour event. He had missed the cut his three previous events on the PGA Tour. Mr. Dunlap is a golfer on the Alabama Crimson Tide golf team where he as has been racking up accolades in his young college career. All that seems like distant history as he set the American Express PGA tournament event record last weekend with a -29. Storming to the victory and vexing many seasoned PGA tour pros along the way. With that win he is now the #1 amateur ranked in the world and has made the biggest leap in history in one weekend in the world golf rankings. He was invited to play in the PGA tour event this weekend but decided to take a break to think about his future, which all of a sudden is full of decisions to make. This story is brimming with lessons from not giving up to a case study of handling success. Congrats to Nick Dunlap, this week's Torch Swinger of the week on becoming the first amateur to win a PGA tournament since 1991, and the second youngest player in PGA history to hoist a trophy!
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?
What is your favorite playoff competition journey where a trophy is rewarded? Super Bowl, World Series, Football National Championship, Olympics, Premier League, Stanley Cup Playoffs, etc?
This is a difficult question. I really enjoy the NFL Playoffs, but I respect the Stanley Cup most among sports trophies. I find the mystique of the Masters Green jacket to be amazing. Olympic Gold Medals stand by themselves. That is not a definitive answer, but I am standing behind firmly behind it.
GIBBS EYE CATCHING SPORTS MOMENT OF THE WEEK:
Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama sharing a floor in the NBA for the first time is a sight to behold on its own merits. Then Embiid went and dropped a 70 piece on the Spurs, becoming the ninth player in NBA history to accomplish the feat. Check out the highlights and Embiid's reaction to standing next to the Spurs rookie standout for the first time above.
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:
This week I have some exciting news to share. Starting February 3, 2024, I will be producing a Pro Fan League YouTube channel. In the early going you will be able to find what I am calling the 3 for 3 videos. Originally, I was going to do this 6 days a week. I have decided to begin with 3 days a week. I will be posting a video 3 minutes or less on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. These are the off days of the podcast, and the blog.
The video will have 1 thought on a biblical application, 1 thought on sports, and 1 thought on business, mission, or career. I am excited about this development and will be sure to make it clear how to find these videos starting next weekend.
This week in sports we have seen the heights of achievement with a new NCAA basketball all-time career coaching wins record holder, Embiid scoring 70, and Dunlap making PGA Tour golf history. We have also seen the Milwaukee Bucks fire their head coach; Adrian Griffin, despite the second-best record in the Eastern conference only 43 games into his multi-year NBA coaching contract which I am sure is a tough pill for him to swallow.
Success, failure, and failure despite success all mix into the experience's life will produce for us to walk through. The volatility and surprises of life both good and bad draw us into uncertainty. We need something outside of daily life to orient our lives to as an anchor, if we are to prevail in God honoring ways. Praise God, He has provided Jesus Christ to be our anchor. This man is never changing. Whether we are succeeding, failing, succeeding but still being treated unfairly, or being treated very fairly, none of those developments ever changes who Jesus is and his faithful carrying out of His duties to His people. Take a listen to this song by Beautiful Eulogy; and find peace in Jesus Christ, the Anchor through stormy waters or peaceful waters. He is mighty to save!
Photo Credit: Patrick Mahomes: Patrick-Mahomes-Contract.jpg (2000×1334) (sportscasting.com)/ Nick Dunlap: nick-dunlap-is-the-first-amateur-to-win-on-the-pga-tour-since-1991.jpg (980×653) (gbnews.com)
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