Author: nshook61

Super Bowl Anthology: Super Bowl X

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Special to NFL.com
View full anthology package here

MY SUPER BOWL: LYNN SWANN

Lynn Swann’s Pittsburgh Steelers sat atop professional football’s throne in America’s 200th year of existence, 1976. Coming off a 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX, the Steelers were the defending champions and one of football’s two most-popular franchises. Along with wide receiver John Stallworth, Swann was the star of a passing attack led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Pittsburgh took the Miami Orange Bowl turf prepared to win a second straight world championship. At the other end of the field stood America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. After three quarters, Dallas looked poised to take home the title.

An unseating of the reigning champions wasn’t going to come easy.

After kicking a 36-yard field goal to grab a slim 12-10 lead, Pittsburgh took the field with 4:25 left to play. The Steelers faced a third and 6 from their 36-yard line when Bradshaw dropped back and heaved a deep pass to Swann. The acrobatic receiver caught the ball at the 5-yard line as defensive back Mark Washington fell in a vain attempt at a tackle and Swann trotted into the end zone, tossing the ball over his shoulder and raising his arms in celebration.

Swann finished the game with 161 receiving yards and a touchdown, good for Super Bowl X Most Valuable Player.

Swann recalled the Steelers’ second world championship to Nick Shook at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

‘Well for us, it was staying in the routine. We had learned that from the first Super Bowl, that having a good routine helps youin your preparation. You don’t really have to think about a lot. You just stick to the routine, stick to the plan, and things will take care of themselves.’

Continue reading →

Akron school board examines district’s poor performance grades in first phase of report card

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal staff writer
Read full story on Ohio.com

Akron schools earned poor grades in graduation rates and K-3 literacy, board members learned at their Monday meeting.

In a presentation given by assistant superintendent Ellen McWilliams-Woods, the board examined the three grades currently available: graduation rate, K-3 literacy, and the prepared for success measure. Seventy-four percent of students in Akron Public Schools graduated in four years, earning a letter grade of F, while 83.8 percent of students graduated in five years, resulting in a letter grade of D.

The state is releasing the school district report card grades in two steps — a process that is usually done in one. Monday’s presentation was the first phase. Continue reading →

Two-day event to revive mall in Falls

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal staff writer
Read full story on Ohio.com

Two Cuyahoga Falls natives are hoping to bring long-term energy to a portion of the city’s Riverfront Pedestrian Mall with a Better Block experiment like one that was so successful in Akron’s North Hill area last year.

With a $10,000 grant from Torchbearers, Samantha Coldwell and Getta Cornici are working with the Texas group Better Block Foundation and the city of Cuyahoga Falls to conduct an event Aug. 26-27 at the north end of the mall. Continue reading →

Two local pastors to be honored by Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal staff writer
Read full story on Ohio.com

Two community leaders in Summit County will be honored for their efforts to improve race relations.

Although 2015 was a tumultuous year for race relations locally and nationally, the Rev. Mark Ford and the Rev. Joe Coffey did not waver, and the Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission took notice, choosing Ford and Coffey as recipients of two of its eight annual awards. Continue reading →

James ‘Jim’ Strayhand remembered for love, support for family, Alcoholics Anonymous

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal staff writer
Read full obituary on Ohio.com

James “Jim” Strayhand Jr. served many, but if you are not someone he helped, you may not know his name.

Those who did receive his compassion won’t forget it.

“He was very supportive, lots of fun to be around and just an all-around good guy,” daughter-in-law Chandra Pannell said. “He lived a big life in a quiet way.”

Mr. Strayhand, 78, of Copley Township died Dec. 31 of a heart attack.

The Goodyear retiree spent his final moments at a meeting with fellow members of Alcoholics Anonymous, a group he needed and one that often needed him. Continue reading →

Nick Shook on Fantasy Football: One last week for all of the marbles

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal copy editor
Read full column on Ohio.com

Some of you have seen the season end, many in disappointment, and fewer in unadulterated holiday jubilation. But there are a portion of you who have what I consider the true fantasy championship: a two-week, winner-takes-all showdown for eternal bragging rights.

I am here for you fine folks.

This is the last fantasy column of the season, so before we get into my final picks, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has turned to this page to read my thoughts each week, and on Ohio.com twice a week. I couldn’t have helped you win (or lose) your fantasy title without your loyal readership. Continue reading →

Nick Shook on Fantasy Football: Unwrap these picks to go for the gold

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal copy editor
Read full column on Ohio.com

So this is it.

We’ve come down to the final two weeks of the season. You’re fresh off a week of holiday joy, but if your dream season has culminated in a two-week league championship battle for the ages, please, leave the eggnog in the refrigerator when making your lineup choices.

If you’re one of the unlucky saps whose fantasy stocking was filled with fantasy coal (C.J. Anderson, Andrew Luck as your top picks, for example) by Fantasy Santa, feel free to imbibe.

This week, I bring you presents of prognostication. Happy unwrapping. Continue reading →

Nick Shook on Fantasy Football: Get to the biggest stage with big plays

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal copy editor
Read full column on Ohio.com

So you’re off to a fast start, taking the lead over your opponent in Week 1 of your playoff matchup. Congrats. High five. Here’s a nice pat on the head.

But don’t get complacent on me, now. Week 2 of that matchup is where you’ll need your best outing, your most savvy starts and sits. That is what will get you to the biggest stage of fantasy football, the league title game, where you can compete for your gang’s greatest prize, be it a trophy, a plaque, or a year’s worth of chicken wings, because you somehow managed to get your league sponsored by the local wing restaurant.

I wish I had that. But alas, I can only help you get closer to a year of saucy goodness. Continue reading →

Nick Shook on Fantasy Football: Get the gleam in Week 14

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal copy editor
Read full column on Ohio.com

As Marty Schottenheimer once said to his Browns during the 1986 AFC Championship Game, “There’s a gleam, men.”

And there is a gleam for you, too. It’s just your chosen hardware for champions, not the Lombardi Trophy.

Those of you not fortunate enough to make your league’s playoffs are left with a chance to win the consolation ladder, which isn’t much better than getting a sportsmanship trophy at the end of a losing season. I’m not a proponent of those trophies, but sometimes you just need to find a silver lining.

Title up for grabs or not, here are your best choices for Week 14. Don’t forget to pass along your questions/concerns/mid-life crises to me on Twitter at @TheNickShook. Continue reading →

Nick Shook on fantasy football: Jump back on Jarvis Landry bandwagon but don’t knock over guacamole

/ nshook61 / Leave a comment

By Nick Shook
Beacon Journal copy editor
Read full column on Ohio.com

One last game in the regular season will decide many of your seasons. Some will leave you cursing the imaginary game of fantasy football, while others will leave you leaping for joy while carefully avoiding knocking over the chips and guacamole.

You better not spill that guacamole. That was made with fresh avocados. You could be 13-0, but you ruin that dish, and you’re a failure in my book.

Below you’ll see one of my favorite players on an otherwise floundering team, as well as my greatest fear in football right now, outside of Michael Oher protecting my imaginary blind side against a rush from J.J. Watt. Yikes. Continue reading →