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:
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
Jalen Milroe is the sophomore starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He made Alabama Football history in Alabama's recent win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Milroe led the Tide to a 49-21 victory over the Wildcats with a historic 6 touchdowns on Saturday, November 11. He becomes the first Alabama player to throw for 3 touchdowns and run for 3 touchdowns in one game. Milroe has blossomed as this season has progressed as much as any player in the country. The Crimson Tide have a chance to dethrone the Georgia Bulldogs and win the SEC Championship in a few weeks; eyeing a return to the College Football Playoff. This season has not been without adversity for Milroe. He was benched after a loss to Texas in week 2 of this season. He responded with maturity, leadership, and thinking of others before himself. Watch this video as he explains his FAMILY mindset. "FORGET ABOUT ME I LOVE YOU." That is his leadership ethos, and it is fueling Alabama as the hottest team in the nation. Jalen Milroe is outspoken about his need for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and speaks often about his reliance on the Lord. Whether Alabama continues to win or not his core values will always be STRAIGHT FIRE!
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, or Soccer
Sydney Crosby the legendary Pittsburgh Penguin center recorded his 16th career hat trick on Tuesday Night, November 14 during a 5-3 Penguins victory. Upon further review he was one of five players in the NHL between November 9 and November 16 to sound the horn three times in a game. He is joined by the rest of this weeks Torch Swingers of the week, Kyle Connor, Charlie Coyle, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane. Each one of these men made it difficult for fans to keep their hats on their heads out at the pond. Hyman and Kane both play for a surging Edmonton Oilers team. This also brought me to question, who holds the record for hat tricks in the NHL? Wayne Gretzky holds the record for career hat tricks with 50. The next closest is Mario Lemieux with 40. Enjoy the greatness of Wayne Gretzky if it has been awhile. One of the greatest "Torch Swingers" of all time.
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 - Arizona Diamondbacks - Outfielder
NFL:
C.J. STROUD - Houston Texans - Quarterback
NBA:
TYRESE MAXEY - Philadelphia 76ers - Point Guard
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
What has been your favorite sports fan experience?
I have had the opportunity to attend two white out's at Penn State University. Those experiences top the list of sports fan experiences I have witnessed to this point in my life. The atmosphere is as electric as you can imagine from the videos. After college football, I would rank the atmosphere in NHL hockey arena's as some of the best live experiences I have had in sports. I got to see the Washington Capitals and Alexender Ovechkin in a game that went to a shoot out back in 2011. That was a phenomenal time. How about you? What is your favorite sports fan experience? Please comment.
PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT
Beginning in December 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 DECEMBER 2023.
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:
I have known about Jalen Milroe the Alabama Quarterback for two years. The first time I became aware of him was in an article when he had to fill in at quarterback during the 2022 season. In that article it talked about how he could be found reading his Bible often in the Alabama locker room and was unashamed about his relationship with Jesus Christ. Then I saw his reaction to getting benched against South Florida and his team-oriented response despite trial earlier this season. Finally, in the video I included in this post we hear about his "FAMILY" leadership ethos. FORGET ABOUT ME, I LOVE YOU! There is a lot to learn from this young man. I will pull out a few quick lessons. 1)He is known for reading God's word by his peers. 2)During trial he walked with joy and still thought of others before himself. 3)He is focused on using his gifts and talents to make others better.
God willing we can also have a growing love for the BIBLE. The Bible provides us direct access to the heart of God and what is important to Him for His glory. Let's pray we can be students of the Word of God. Jalen Milroe also understands that as a leader it is his duty to make the people around him better. Hence his FAMILY ethos. What does it look like for us to use our gifts and talents in ways that cultivate growth in others? Often in life or when building teams the most talented or loudest person is chosen as leader. This does not necessarily make them the best choice. What person on the team is most talented at bringing out the best in everyone around them? You find that person, you found your CAPTAIN! When thinking of the various roles in your life where you have been granted responsibility and leadership, do you spend more time trying to demonstrate how talented you are at something? OR do you spend more time trying to understand how the gifts you have can bring out the very best of the talent in the people around you? Spend a little time in evaluation. Have a great week! GO MAKE PLAYS! I AM CHEERING FOR YOU. WE ARE NOT JUST FANS!
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Jalen Milroe: tdalabamamag.com / Sydney Crosby: 3.yimg.com
Comments