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
The night of Wednesday December 13, 2023 set up to be a stage for Giannis Antetokounmpo to remind the sports world of his undeniable greatness on the basketball floor. He dominated the Indiana Pacers with a 64 point onslaught giving him the season high single game point high watermark so far in this young NBA campaign. He did it on a remarkable 20 of 28 shooting from the field tallying a 71% field goal percentage. He missed as many shots from the free throw line as he did from the field on this historic night. He set a personal record for points scored in a single game and notched another notable accomplishment in what is shaping into a historic NBA career. He also added 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block to make sure people don't think all he can do is score the rock. It must be noted that for the calender year of 2023 Donovan Mitchell's 71 point outburst on January 2, 2023 for the Cleveland Cavaliers is still the most prolific scoring night we have seen, but regarding this current NBA season Mr. Antetokounmpo gets to sizzle as this weeks Straight Fire example of undeniable greatness.
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
Charlie Woods and Tiger Woods are scheduled to take part in this weekends PNC Championship Pro-Am event in Orlando, Florida. Every year this event produces memorable moments with pairings matching golfing champions and their kids. Vijay and Qass Singh are the defending champions of the event, but Charlie and Tiger Woods have participated the last three years and it is safe to assume that a championship is on the Woods mind. In 2022, team Woods finished tied for 8th at -20.
Charlie Woods golf game has been on the rise in the year 2023. He won his regional qualifier to play in the junior national golf championship in November where he ended up finishing fourth in his age bracket. His high school team won the state championship, he personally finished 26th overall. He is having some fine success as a freshman in high school and the cameras will be on him this weekend as he and Tiger chase the PNC prize. Charlie Woods is this weeks torch swinger of the week as a general announcement that you can catch an early and rare glimpse of the young woods on national TV this weekend December 16 and 17. Enjoy some highlights from last years event:
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 DO SPORTS FANS WANT FROM THEIR FAVORITE TEAMS AND ATHLETES?
I assume that when a sports fan tunes into watch their favorite team whether on TV or in the arena they are carrying some expectations with them. I am curious what those expectations are? Do you enjoy seeing your team win? Are you okay if they are in the headlines making splashy moves but are not very good? When you walk into the arena, maybe the team is bad but you got nachos so it is all good? Do you go to games so you can say you were there? Is it a family thing that builds camraderie, so it is less about sport and more about relationship? Do you like when your team spends 700 million on a free agent? In the spirit of the BIG Y, why do you root for who you root for? What makes you stand and cheer for your team? What frustrates you? Perhaps it is just entertainment? Feel free to share in the comments what your expectations are of the teams you cheer for. Please be specific.
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:
I would like to introduce you to Lawrence Sheffield, the Founder of Manufacture Good in Birmingham, Alabama. Manufacture Good also runs a company called Fullstack Firewood. Also in Birmingham, Alabama. Check out the links here...Manufacture Good, Fullstack FirewoodFullstackFirewood. Manufacture good makes furniture and delivers firewood, but a huge part of its mission is to give opportunity to people who have made some mistakes in life or are feeling like they lack purpose and are looking to get back on the right track. They accomplish this through an intentional apprenticeship program. They have seen amazing results from this model, and I asked founder Lawrence Sheffield what inspired him to start Manufacture Good; his response to me via linkedin, "Gods calling brother. Helping people become who they needed when they were younger. Wood, Metal and Firewood are just ways to love and serve employees and customers." We stand and applaud Lawrence and all his people at Manufacture Good and Fullstack.
This is a huge part of what PRO FAN LEAGUE is about. Spotlighting and encouraging people who are making amazing things happen in the world around us through work and relationship. If you are intrigued by what you see here, please go the manufacture good website, check out what they are selling and order some goods. Make a donation if you feel led. Check out this video to see the impact this business is having on the people who make it happen every day. KEEP MAKING PLAYS MANUFACTURE GOOD!
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 been thinking a lot about greatness, humility, and entitlement this week. In sports each and every week we see examples of failure and success. We see examples of commitment and sacrifice. We see snapshots of teams and individuals who are thriving and failing. I always find it very impressive when a player or team succeeds and continues to peform well with the same effort and atittude they had before the success particularly over a long a period of time.
People change, circumstances change, and success can heap a lot of new attitudes and ideas into situations. Ben Roethlisberger; former Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback, this week on his podcast was talking about how he feels the culture of the Steelers of old has not been successfully passed down to the new generation of players. He feels they lack the willingness to sacrifice. I look at the enormous and life changing money handed out to Jon Rahm and Shohei Ohtani this week, how has it already begun to change them? Will they continue to put in maximum effort with all the entrapments of success they have gained?
What successes has God allowed you to enjoy recently? Are you giving him glory for those accolades? When you advance or succeed are you keeping in clear focus your BIG Y's? Can the elements that contributed to your success still be found in your habits and routines? Now that you have accomplished the goal are you using those successes as a platform to make a difference for those in your life OR have you started to sit back and believe that your job is done? Remember that all good gifts come from the hand of the Lord. He alone is worthy to be praised. Don't forget to take a moment to thank God for the areas where you have found victory both large and small in life recently. Don't be intoxcicated by your wins, there is still more to be done. GO MAKE PLAYS! I am cheering for you! We are "NOT JUST FANS".
GIBBS
PHOTO CREDIT: Giannis: images2.minutemediacdn.com/behindthebuckpass / Charlie and Tiger Woods: image-cdn.essentiallysports.com - www.essentiallysports.com
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