SWINGING A TORCH 11.0 - DEC 29-JAN 4, 2024

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

Growing up my grandmother lived next to a farm that raised Buffalo. She lived in a single wide trailer on a concrete foundation. When the Buffalo would start to run as a herd the whole house would shake and rattle.

Josh Allen has his Buffalo herd running. There is no telling where they will stop. This past week he set two impressive first time NFL records. He became the first NFL player ever to score 40 touchdowns 4 seasons in a row. He also became the first NFL player to ever throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 750 yards in a single season. I also appreciate that he set the records before Week 18. He accomplished it inside the framework of the old 17-week season.

This weekend he leads the Bills against the Dolphins in a winner wins the NFC East royal rumble. Buffalo has been on a tear for a month now climbing into the playoff picture and getting a shot at a division title which seemed in doubt coming into the month of November. For his accomplishments this season, over the past month, and the past four years Josh Allen is this week's "Straight Fire" example of undeniable greatness.

TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker

On January 1, 2024 the Seattle Kraken met the Las Vegas Knights outdoors at T-Mobile Park for the 2024 winter classic. Ultimately the Kraken prevailed 3-0 riding an excellent performance on a grand stage by goal tender Joey Daccord. He recorded 35 saves as the Kraken continue to surge upward in the rankings, coming of a great month of December. The winter classic is an annual spectacle to behold as are all the NHL games played outside. Since the concept was hatched in 2003; according to ESPN, the NHL has played 39 outdoor games. These outdoor games are always a sight to behold and create an excellent environment for NHL hockey. They effectively draw fans and players alike to the roots of the game on the pond. Joey Daccord and the NHL winter classic are this week's torch swingers of the week. Enjoy some of the best winter classic moments in the history of this fun game:

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?

IF YOU COULD ATTEND ANY SPORTING EVENT IN 2024 WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would take advantage of an opportunity to watch Messi in 2024 if I had the chance. Very rarely do you get the chance to watch the best to ever do something live in the flesh. So my vote would be for capturing a Messi game somewhere in the USA in 2024.

GIBBS EYE CATCHING SPORTS MOMENT OF THE WEEK:

Caden Prieskorn dominated Penn State football in the Peach Bowl with 10 catches, 136 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The above one-handed catch was one of many incredible highlights he registered in the game. You have a great chance of seeing him play on Sunday's. At 6 Feet 5 Inches and 255 pounds he is going to become a reliable target for some thankful NFL quarterback soon.

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

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:

There is a video circulating (see it to the left) on twitter from yahoo sports of J.J. McCarthy the quarterback from Michigan taking a moment alone in the Rose Bowl after the win to be still and soak in the moment. That moment and a few moments of my own early in 2024 have got me to reflect on not letting important moments pass me by in a rush.

I can be very driven and task oriented. In the hustle to get things accomplished I can easily blow right through opportunities I should be capturing, or moments I should be involved in. I think of Jesus who we often see slowing down and not missing opportunity to meet the needs of people around him even though he had a lot to accomplish. In 2024 I am trying to be mindful of slowing down and soaking in the great moments and meeting the needs of people around me who need help despite the pressure I feel every day to get a variety of tasks done. J.J. McCarthy was a great example of this. Jesus is the best example. Do you do well at soaking in victories large and small? Are there any areas you need to slow down in life? Are there any people close to you who need you to slow down and care?

I am cheering for you! GO MAKE PLAYS! We are "NOT JUST FANS"!

GIBBS

Photo Credit: Josh Allen: Josh-Allen-e1700239379752.jpg (780×438) (heavy.com) / Winter Classic: Reddit - https://external-preview.redd.it/seattle-chants-joey-daccord-save-kraken-shutout-vs-vegas-v0-YrHdOg-0O_3W5UeFl_T54atXiNpNEt3bN7fwdxiCTlI.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=853a7772b79d69278c07947008a18d5b3ec72b46 / J.J. McCarthy: AA1mkS3d.img (2000×1333) (img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net)