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
No, I am not a Chiefs fan! Why all the Chiefs on "Swinging A Torch"? Because they keep making history, and we cover excellence in sports! This past weekend Travis Kelce broke Jerry Rice's record for receptions in the NFL playoffs with a new mark at 156 playoff catches. He also extended the record for NFL playoff touchdowns to 19. His career playoff totals now sit at an incredible 156 catches, for 1810 yards, and 19 touchdowns in his playoff career. The world will be watching in two Sundays as Kelce and the Chiefs look to go back-to-back as Super Bowl champions. Congratulations on being this weeks "Straight Fire" example of undeniable greatness and earning the right to try for back-to-back Lombardi trophies.
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
This weekend is the Pro-Am on the PGA Tour at Pebble Beach. Here is a picture of Colin Morikawa and Pau Gasol Hall of Fame player formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers among other teams at Pebble Beach. If you were ever looking for a real-life comparison of how big NBA athletes are compared to average size humans, take a look.
In the ever-changing landscape of professional golf, a lot has happened this week. A new deal was struck with a venture capital firm to flow 3 billion dollars into PGA golf, also giving players equity in the venture. Morikawa to the left was quoted saying golf telecasts need to show more golf shots to try and make the telecast more exciting. This weekend the whole tour tees it up at Pebble Beach. I have chosen Colin Morikawa and Pau Gasol as this week's Torch Swingers to symbolize all the developments in golf as the game strains to grow to new heights.
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)
LUKA DONCIC (24 Years Old) - Dallas Mavericks - Point Guard (Nominated 2024)
Friday Night January 26, 2024, Luka Doncic put on a historic display of getting buckets against the Atlanta Hawks. He scored 73 points in 45 minutes of play on 75% shooting. His stat line in 5 games from January 22-29 is an astonishing 42.6 points per game, 12 Assists, and 11 Rebounds. The game after he went for 73 points, he followed it up against the Kings with a 28 Point, 10 Rebound, 17 Assist game. Luka Doncic is playing in his 6th season for the Dallas Mavericks. Pro Fan League welcomes him to the young fire club as his career trajectory continues to build toward historic altitudes.
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
Would you rather go watch a weekend of golf at Pebble Beach OR The Masters?
This is the kind of question that will rip a sports fan up a little bit. For me due to its standing as a major I think I would pick Augusta and the Masters. I would like to experience someone winning the green jacket live at some point in life. Part of what makes it complex for me, is the Masters can often fall on Easter weekend. That makes it difficult with family time, so depending on the dates available I would happily go experience Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach, California (Above)
Augusta National, Georgia (Above)
GIBBS EYE CATCHING SPORTS MOMENT OF THE WEEK:
Consume this like a delicious steak, a rare wine, an aged cheese. Join me at the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open last weekend. You will not find a better golf shot often than this one. Shane Lowry on stroke 2 of a Par 5 challenge, 256 yards from the hole, DRAINS IT! Calling all Albatross to Hole 6! Steph Curry is dangerous on the hard wood from long range, but Mr. Lowry is dangerous on the green grass! Congratulations on an eye-popping piece of golfing. Mr. Lowry ended up tied for 25th on the weekend and was rewarded with a quick $66,263 dollar check. I believe that covered his expenses for the weekend!
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:
FEBRUARY 2024 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ICON BUILD - ICON – Leader of Advanced Construction Technologies (iconbuild.com)
I became aware of ICON BUILD a few years back while researching non-profit organizations. They partner with a non-profit called "New Story" to help address the problem of inadequate housing. Per the New Story website (Click Link Above), 70% of adults in Latin America do not have a bank account. This makes the availability and opportunity to buy homes very difficult for low-income families. Enter ICON BUILD. They have created technology that can 3D print concrete homes. These homes can be poured in very cost-effective ways and prove to be quite durable. They have begun building communities of 3D printed homes both in the USA and Mexico.
I chose ICON BUILD as this month's business spotlight because the Lord created humans to take dominion over the earth. They are an amazing and current example of this happening. To God be the glory for minds and skills and community so projects and technologies can be brought to life and advanced. I also bring this up to stir YOU! Maybe you are sitting on a idea that can change the world or make a difference for your family, friends, neighbors, and community. Simply put, TIME TO GO TO WORK! Watch these videos below to see what it looks like in action:
PAST BUSINESS OF THE MONTH LINKS:
January 2024:
Thread Therapy: Thread Therapy | eBay Stores
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:
Marc Gasol former NBA player retired from basketball officially this week. Him and his brother Pau Gasol are the only players in NBA history to both be NBA All Stars and NBA champions. They are a unique pair in sports history. Both incredibly skilled. This got me thinking about family, brother, sister, mom, dad, husband, and wife. Family is vital to society. Family lays down the foundational building blocks that successful societies are built on top of. In our society currently many folks have a very broken experience of family. This leads to a lot of hurt, grief, and fear.
The Gasol brothers seem to be great friends from everything I have read about them. Family was designed by God to be a force for good. I just want to encourage you today to continue putting in the work that family requires. Some portions of culture are trying to throw family away in the USA; saying it is not necessary anymore. This is a lie. Family was designed by God for His good purposes in the world. Family is not a human idea; it is a Triune God created institution found in the Bible.
Do you have vision for your family? Have you established Big Y's? Talked with your spouse, your kids, your parents about where the Lord might be having you use your time, talent, and resources? What are some micro and macro missions that are starting to form up in your heart and mind? Is it time to bring your family together for a discussion.
I recently heard of a situation where someone was not married and did not have kids, so they thought they did not have a family. This is not true. If you have aging parents, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or people who took you in and made you their own, that is family. DIVE IN, God has wonderful plans and work to do in and through you in this world He created.
GO MAKE PLAYS! We are "Not Just Fans!"
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Colin Morikwaka and Pau Gasol: https://x.com/collin_morikawa/status/1752463051633397767?s=20 / Travis Kelce: 1199307814-850x560.jpeg (850×560) (minutemediacdn.com)
Pebble Beach: The-Lodge-@-Pebble-Beach-4.jpg (1000×687) (eaglegolftours.com) / Augusta National: Amen+Corner.jpg (1440×900) (bp.blogspot.com)
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