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First (and last) trip to the Horseshoe

It’s been a long time since I’ve written to the Mirror. The urge usually hits when I feel the need to get something off my chest about my alma mater, Penn State. Thus, I felt compelled to write about my first (and last) trip to Ohio Stadium (aka, “The Horseshoe.”) I will leave it to the sports pundits to dissect the disappointing performance of our football team (note to Cory Giger — you go right on pressing James Franklin about his offensive coordinator’s seeming inability to implement a vertical passing game). No, I want to talk about my experience as a visiting ...

Numbers simply don’t lie

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror During a six-week stretch that spanned late August to mid-October, three significant attendance records were set at sports events in this country. That’s interesting news, but there is an inspirational aspect to it. Women were competing in all three events — a college volleyball match in Lincoln, Nebraska, professional soccer game in Seattle, and college basketball game in Des Moines, Iowa. Integral to the feats were three phenomena — the University of Nebraska volleyball team, Megan Rapinoe and Caitlin Clark. The Huskers have won ...

Can football be bigger than futbol?

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press NEW YORK — The king of American sports wants to take over the world. The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Growing the brand internationally was a major theme brought up this week at the league meetings. It started with the official announcement that flag football will be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. That’s a big victory for the NFL, which worked hard to grow the sport’s popularity and pushed for its inclusion. “That is an exciting development for us, one that we think will bring a lot of momentum ...

Braves’ fans have seen this before

ATLANTA — The 2020s are starting to feel like the 1990s for the Atlanta Braves. Another dazzling regular season. Another flop in the postseason. After tying a major league record with 307 homers, the slugging Braves went down meekly to the rival Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series for the second year in a row. Other than a stunning comeback in Game 2, when the Braves overcame a four-run deficit with a pair of two-run homers and a remarkable double play for a 5-4 victory, the Phillies dominated the best-of-five series. They handed the Braves their ...

Mailbag

Irwin has earned ‘God’s trophy’ I was fortunate to attend the Bishop Guilfoyle and Tyrone football game last Friday night. At halftime, they honored the greatest person I know — Tom Irwin. I have been fortunate to know Tom and his wonderful wife, Lenora, and family for over 50 years. I have coached with Tom and volunteered with him on projects at the Ecumenical Council and Evergreen Manors’ Gloria Gates Foundation. I have learned so much from him by how he interacts with everyone, regardless of their age or circumstances. Tom will never know how much he has meant to ...

Can Swift bring NFL more fans?

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press Eager as the National Football League has been to cater to the recent public fixation with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, it’s certainly not taking any credit for creating the outsized storyline that has emerged around the pop superstar and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. “Not orchestrated by the NFL,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy assured The Associated Press with a chuckle during a chat on the phone about what is becoming known as “ Tay Tay and Trav,” a topic few seemed to be able to get enough of initially, whether football ...