SWINGING A TORCH is going to be 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:
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, or Golf
Auston Matthews currently leads the NHL in goals scored with 13. He is one of the premier goal scorers in hockey and has been since he was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This past week from November 2 - November 8 he lit the lamp with 6 goals in 3 games. On November 4, he was credited with his third hat trick of this young season. 13 games played 13 goals scored. He is currently on pace to score a ridiculous 82 goals. Auston Matthews has unquestionably been swinging a torch this past week. This is not an anomaly he has been for his whole career at this point. Right from the beginning. Take a journey in the way back machine and reminisce on his historic NHL debut.
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
This past weekend against the Chicago Bears Taysom Hill etched his name into history and his equipment became destined for the historic displays found in the football hall of fame. When NFL fans hear the name Hill they often think Tyreek and for good reason, but there is another Hill worthy of recognition this week. Since 2017 Taysom Hill has quietly been putting together one of the most unique careers the NFL has ever seen. He is listed as a quarterback, but also lines up as a running back and tight end for the Saints. In addition, he has returned 18 kickoffs. Career stats as of 11.9.2023: 2,337 Passing Yards, 11 Passing Touchdowns, 2013 Rushing Yards and 26 Touchdowns, 63 Receptions, for 607 Yards and 10 Touchdowns, and 18 Kick Returns for 429 yards. This man is truly a Swiss army knife. What made week 9 historic? He caught a touchdown. He threw a touchdown. Pushing his career marks to double digits in all three categories as seen above. He has spun it for 11 passing touchdowns. He has found the promised land with his feet 26 times. He has hauled in the rock 10 times. No player has accomplished this since the late Frank Gifford who was done playing football in 1964. Frank Gifford the long time New York Giant, threw for 14 touchdowns, rushed for 34 touchdowns, and caught 43 touchdowns in his hall of fame career. It remains to be seen if an invitation to Canton waits for Taysom Hill, but at a minimum one of his jerseys will be living there from now on.
THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players (Under 25 Years of Age) to Watch
C.J. Stroud was drafted #2 overall in this most recent NFL draft by the Houston Texans. Through 8 games in his NFL career he has thrown for 14 touchdown passes and 1 interception. This past week he set a number of NFL records for a rookie passer when he threw for 470 passing yards and 5 touchdowns while recording 0 picks in a comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though it set rookie records that kind of day even catches the attention of the veterans around the league. His addition to "The Young Fire Club" after 8 games I would traditionally label as hasty. There are a long list of young players who had nice starts and ran into the rookie wall. There are two main reasons I have added him this week. 1) Go read the articles I have written how Championships are won, right here on this website. Alignment of organizational vision is vital to success. I believe Stroud and Head Coach Demeco Ryans are on the same page and will flourish together as there careers unfold. The Texans are on their way toward competing for championships. They might need a few more seasons to fill in some holes, but the foundation is emerging because organizational alignment is emerging. 2) His 1 interception through 8 games as an NFL rookie. Through 8 games in Peyton Manning's rookie year in 1998 he had thrown 16 interceptions. Playing QB in the NFL is a very difficult job. I believe his 1 interception is a leading indicator of a career that could be special. Hence, I am making the early call. Welcome to the Young Fire Club, C.J. Stroud.
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
What do you consider to be the greatest Super Bowl catch of all time?
I was discussing this with my family recently and I would consider the David Tyree catch to be the greatest Super Bowl Catch of all time. I think they would say I am being biased as a Giants fan. Do you agree? Make a case. Comment below. What is your opinion?
PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT
Beginning soon I plan to spotlight a business each month in this space that is doing incredible work at taking dominion in this world, providing an excellent product or service, and making a difference in the community. COMING SOON.
PRO FAN LEAGUE FAVORITES: BLESSINGS OF HOPE - blessingsofhope.com
Blessings of Hope is an organization based out of Lancaster Country 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:
The last two weeks have been a debacle in many ways for the Las Vegas Raiders. They fired a lot of the front office and the head coach and are once again pushing the reset button. Antonio Pierce has been elevated as new head coach in Las Vegas and won his first game as head coach this past Sunday. They players on the Raiders have had excited reviews of Pierce's early days as head coach. One of the changes he made when he took over was allowing the practice squad players to be on the sidelines on game day. In this article by Patrick Andres of Sports Illustrated you can hear him explain his reasoning. Basically, he says they are part of the team they belong on the sideline. This got me thinking about leadership and relationships. Immediately when Antonio Pierce became head coach he started making changes to build the unity of his team. To make sure people felt appreciated for the hard work they were putting in. He was enthusiastic and pointing the people he was appointed to serve as leader to hope. Think of the areas you have influence and leadership. Do the people you serve feel like you are all in it together? Have you asked them? Do they knowyou appreciate them? Coworkers, family, kids, teammates? Does your disposition, conduct, and speech breed hope in the people who are around you? For those people who believe in Jesus Christ, are we pointing people to Him as the ultimate living hope, and the kingdom that He will bring with him as a reason for hope? As I was thinking about these questions in my own life I found them to be sharpening. Football is just a game, but the lessons we can learn can make a difference in the lives of those we have the opportunity to serve.
I am cheering for you! GO MAKE PLAYS! YOU ARE "NOT JUST FANS"!
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Auston Matthews:The Athletic/Taysom Hill: NewOrleansSaints.com/CJ Stroud:Buckeyeswire.USAtoday
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