Friendly Encounters: Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk, Harold Baines and Val Capone

This is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

Val Capone is one of my favorite Windy City Rollers.  I have had the pleasure of interviewing her twice.  (Check them out at On the Beat with Val Capone 2014 and On the Beat with Val Capone 2015).
She is one tough lady on the flat track.  She has also proven her toughness off the track.  Val battles Crohn's Disease.  This fight spawned the very creative "I hate Val Capone's guts" campaign.
I love Val, but I hate her guts.  If you hate her guts, too, or even if you just want to help her cause, please go to the Blood and Thunder website and order one of her "I hate Val Capone's guts" shirts to help with the medical bills from her fight with Crohn's Disease.
Val is a real sweetheart and she gives her all to her WCR fans.  If you have the ability, please help her cause.
I am not sure what Val is doing with Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines though.  I thought she was a Cubs fan.  Maybe they sought her out.  Maybe they are Val Capone fans.  I just hope they hate her guts, too.

Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk, Harold Baines and Val Capone in Chicago, IL-September 2015.

Damn...It's Ron Simmons

Ron Simmons was a star nose guard at Florida State University.  He finished ninth in the 1979 Heisman Trophy voting and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns.  He spent time on the Browns roster and later joined the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits.

He got into wrestling shortly after injuries curtailed his football career.  He had some success as a singles wrestler, before becoming part of Doom, a short-lived but successful tag team.  He followed that by winning the WCW Heavyweight title, becoming the first recognized African American WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

He moved to the WWF as a singles wrestler named Faarooq, but soon joined the Nation of Domination (NOD).  The Rock was the breakout star from that stable.

It wasn't until he joined John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) in the Acolytes tage team, that he discovered his greatest success.  Beer-swilling, cigar-smoking, poker-playing roughnecks, Simmons and JBL became very popular.  Then, Simmons uttered the word that would really change his career.  "Damn" was one simple word, but Simmons delivered it in timely and unusual situations.  It became one of the most popular catchphrases ever.  It is still highly recognizable and totally expected every time he makes an appearance.

I met Simmons at Days of the Dead, where they get kudos for bringing in wrestlers despite having no real "horror" connection.  Simmons was quite popular there and I must say, he was one of those wrestlers from my youth who caused me a "mark out" moment.  All I could really say was "Damn!."

Ron Simmons and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2014.

The Devil Dogs of Kilo Company

I first met writer/director/producer Bobby Easley at Days of the Dead Culture Shock earlier this year in Indianapolis.  He was promoting Belly Timber, All Sinners Night and The Devil Dogs of Kilo Company.  He talked about all three in my interview, which can be found at On the Beat with Bobby Easley.

At the most recent Days of the Dead in Chicago, I had the pleasure of viewing a screening of The Devil Dogs of Kilo Company.  I was blown away, but first I present a little info.

The official description for the movie is "A company of Marines deep behind enemy lines on a top secret mission are out manned and out gunned as they fight their way to hell and back leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake."  It stars Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley and John Dugan, all who joined Easley for the special screening.

The movie was made using those little green army men and other props, with the actors providing the voices of the characters.  When I first learned that, I had no idea what to expect, but I quickly was captivated upon seeing the movie.

Besides the movie progressing and delivering a great story, like any movie should, I was blown away thinking of the effort and originality it took to use the army men.  Additionally, the figures were used in a way that seemed natural  In a way, you almost forget that you are watching army men.

It is such an original idea, especially for such a topic as a war.  The movie never looked hokey or disjointed.  It is hard to convey how such a movie could be executed perfectly.  You can get a better idea by checking out the trailer at Devil Dogs of Kilo Company Teaser Trailer.

I walked out of the screening with two levels of being impressed and entertained.  The movie as a stand alone was incredible.  The utilization of the army men was incredible.  Combining both made for one of  the most unique movies I have ever seen.

Bobby is a great guy, too.  His passion is evident as you talk to him, but he never lets it overwhelm you.  At Culture Shock, after the interview, he wanted to have a little fun with the picture.  The result is below.

Not many people in his place would suggest such a fun thing.  Many people take their stuff so seriously that they leave no room for other fun.  Once again, Bobby was different and left me with an entertaining memory.

My Bobby Easley Experience started in March and continued through November at the Days of the Dead events.  I am hoping it continues at future conventions this year.  Bobby is easily one of the coolest, most original, talented creators out there.  I appreciate him letting me in on the ground level of these projects and I hope to continue to cover him and his projects as they develop.

For more info, please check out HorrorWastelandFlix.com.  Hopefully, I will also have more updates here in the future.

Bobby Easley and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2015.

Alex Booker Winter Mini-Clinics Are Here!

Alex Booker was one of the first Chicago Bandits I ever met or interviewed.  Because she was so nice, articulate and outgoing, she made the interview very easy for me.  I will always have a special place in my mind for Alex.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, where she played softball, Alex joined the Bandits.  She described that as a dream.  It was a dream for the fans, too.  Alex was one of the most popular players on the team, because of her attitude and her way with the fans, especially the young ones.

Alex started her coaching career as an assistant at Texas A&M, but most recently, she is an assistant at Arkansas Tech University.  She also has been running instructional camps and clinics and giving private lessons.

Earlier this week, she conducted the first of the Alex Booker Winter Mini-Clinics in Gurnee, IL.  Her next clinic will be December 9, followed by 12/16, 12/23 and 12/30.  Each hour long session starts at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

These are a great opportunity for young girl softball players who want to learn from an enthusiastic pro player/coach.  I have seen Alex with youngsters and she is fantastic.

For more information on the Alex Booker Winter Mini-Clinics, you can email her at AlexandraBooker@gmail.com and also check the Alex Booker Facebook page.

Alex Booker and me in Rosemont, IL-April 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #249 Mike Ditka & Chuck Liddell

Athletes get trading cards.  Why not celebrities?  At least celebrities wearing athletic jerseys should get cards.  I am doing my best to create cards for jersey-clad celebs.  I am continuing my theme of featuring opponents of the Chicago Bears.

Mike Ditka wearing the Green and Gold caused such anger in Chicago.  Ditka was simply appearing in an ad.  Love Iron Mike or hate him, he is unforgettable.  Now, thanks to this Celebrity Jersey Card, his time in a Packers uniform will not be forgotten.  I just wonder why he didn't wear his usual #89.

Retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell was born in Santa Barbara, California.  I have no idea what lead him to the Green Bay Packers, but he is a legit fan.  He is also a legit bad ass.  If he wants to sport a green mohawk to match his #15 Bart Starr jersey for his Celebrity Jersey Card, I will not question him.

Joel Adams at Wizard World Chicago 2015

At the last Wizard World in Chicago, I met Joel Adams.  Character Designer/Artist Joel Adams is the eldest son of legendary comic book artist Neal Adams.

Joel started out in comic books, progressing to cover design.  Eventually he moved onto animation.  His work can be seen on King of the Hill, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers and many other animated shows.

Of course, I am drawn to his work on King of the Hill.  On JoelAdamsArt.com, there are a few King creations.  I especially love the SuperHero comic con one.  My only suggestion would have been to have one as Aquaman (but that is just my Aquaman obsession speaking).  I just love these King bits.

Following in a famous parent's footsteps can be a daunting task, but Joel has definitely created his own legend.  He will always be Neal's son, but his work stands on its own..  

Recently, Joel has focused on Lilz, his series of big head big eyed characters, which he debuted in 2000.  Lilz and all of his other work can be found at JoelAdamsArt.com.  

Joel Adams and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

RAK at Wizard World Chicago 2015

RAK is Robert Kraus and Kraus is one very talented guy.  He is the creative genius behind Superfreeks, a series of slightly twisted, caricatures from hundreds of pop culture figures.  As you can guess, this is perfect material for Johngy's Beat.

Over the years, I have picked up Superfreek cards of Ric Flair, Aquaman, Calvin & Hobbes and many, many others.  RAK even surprised me with a Johngy Superfreek.  How cool is that?

I could literally spend hours just enjoying the trip as I scour over every Superfreek creation.  I probably drive him crazy with my continual requests.  It's his own fault that these are so cool.  I just keep imagining new subjects for him to immortalize on Superfreek cards.  (How about wrestler Roddy Piper to go along with "They Live" Piper?)

If you look behind us in the picture, you can get an idea of how many cards he has and those aren't all of them.  He has boxes of them to peruse and buy!

Don't just take my word for it.  Go to RAKGraphics.com to see all of his handiwork.  I am sure you will be as impressed as I am (even if you don't have your own personal Superfreek like I do.)

RAK and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Willie Nelson, Vincent Castiglia and John Borowski

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

This is an interesting trio.  It's not often that an award-winning filmmaker, a Hall of Fame musician and a fantastic artist come together to make an interesting photo.

Borowski is gaining fame with his histotircal horror documentaries.  He has done films on serial killers H.H. Holmes, Albert Fish and Carl Panzram.  He is currently working on a film about Vincent Castiglia, an artist who paints in his own blood.

This all leads me to the picture below.  Borowski and Castiglia obviously have spent a lot of time together working on the project.  Along the way, they have mingled with some other stars, including Willie Nelson.

It's not often that I post a picture featuring three notables from three different areas of entertainment..  So far, I have only met Borowski.  Because of following Borowski, I think I should eventually meet Castiglia.  Nelson might be a stretch for me, though.

I will continue to provide updates on Borowski's project, but you can also go to JohnBorowski.com for more updates.  This man is on the rise and definitely one to watch

John Borowski, Willie Nelson and Vincent Castiglia in Los Angeles, CA-September 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #248 Sir Ian McKellen & Velvet Sky

This is a regular series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys created into virtual trading cards.  Today, I once again feature the opponent of the Bears.

Sir Ian McKellen, born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, carved out a legendary career as an actor.  Not only are his credits too lengthy to list, his awards and honors would fill a page or more.  For his Celebrity Jersey Card, several things stand out.  First, the Denver Broncos were not in existence when this card would have been produced.  Second, he is wearing the most recent Broncos jersey as opposed to an older one more appropriate to the card's era.  Lastly, he is holding a soccer ball.  This would be the first soccer ball appearance on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Like Sir McKellen, Velvet Sky models a #18 Peyton Manning Broncos jersey for her latest Celebrity Jersey Card appearance.  Given my mancrush on Manning, one must wonder who I think wears it better, Peyton or Velvet.  (No disrespect to Sir McKellen, he would finish 3rd).

Scott Blair at Wizard World Chicago 2015

Check it out.  I got a picture with artist Scott Blair without his usual baseball hat.  I also got him without any of the beautiful women he has drawn.  ( was a bit disappointed at that last part.)

Early work of Blair's includes a lot of wrestling dvd cover artwork.  He also did some work for MMA and UFC fighters.

I first stumbled upon Blair when I saw some of his illustrations of longtime Johngy's Beat favorite Christy Hemme.  Like I wrote, Blair has used a lot of the beautiful women of wrestling for his subjects.  I have offered to be his assistant on these jobs, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.  I am still available, just in case.

Blair's work isn't limited to just wrestling and gorgeous women though.  His other subjects include Super Villains, Star Wars, The Walking Dead and many other pop culture staples.  He is also one of the most popular custom artists at the cons.  I think I need him to give me his take on the Johngy.

Check out Scott at a comic con and tell him Johngy sent you.  Also, be sure to check out ScottBlairArt.com for more info, artwork thumbnails and all of the updates.

Scott Blair and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

PJ Soles: Then and Now

The lesson today is that meeting a celebrity once does not give you a great insight into that celebrity.  There are so many factors involved in every celebrity encounter.

I have been a fan of PJ Soles for many years.  I loved her in Stripes, Rock 'N' Roll High School, Halloween and more.  Many years ago, I had the chance to meet PJ at a Hollywood Collectors Show.  PJ was pleasant, but not very talkative.  It was a rather bland encounter.

I walked away disappointed.  PJ did nothing wrong.  She wasn't mean, rude, rushed or anything negative.  The encpunter just fell flat..

When you meet one of your favorites, you always hope that they will be jovial and chatty.  You imagine a quick connection and a lot of fun.  You want to walk away thinking you will be remembered.

Years later, I had the chance to meet PJ again and this time (and every time since), PJ has been an absolute pleasure.  Every encounter since the first is exactly what anyone would want.  We joke, laugh and chat.

Was the first encounter my fault?  Did I give off a bad vibe?  Maybe I was introverted and I expected PJ to carry the load.  Maybe PJ was under the weather a bit.  Maybe I was the 500th person she met that day.  Maybe none of this is true and I expected too much, because I was such a fan.

I try not to judge celebrities on one encounter.  I never publicly complained about the first meeting with PJ.  I hear stories of people calling celebrities names because they would not sign an autograph or pose for a picture.  That all depends on time, manner and place.

Even now, after meeting PJ many times and getting a bit familiar to her, I still do not pretend to position myself as her friend.  She is friendly.  She is a great convention guest.  Take what you want from each experience, but understand these celebrities are people.  The interactions with them have so many variables and quite often, you can be the determining factor in how the encounter goes or at least how you perceive it.

Whose fault was it that my first encounter with PJ left me a bit disappointed?  Maybe there is no fault, because there was no real problem.  Maybe it was a perfectly fine celebrity convention interaction.

On the other hand, maybe the real blame goes to PJ.  She was so adorable as Riff Randell that I just wanted to hang out a bit with her!

PJ Soles and me in Indianapolis, IN-June 2015.

Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell Love Johngy's Beat

At the Wizard World Chicago 2015 press reception, I had the pleasure of interviewing Epic Ink's Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell.

These guys are awesome.  They are funny, outgoing and totally personable.  It really was a blast talking to them on and off camera.

After the interview, they gladly did a promo for Johngy's Beat.  That promo is below and also in the column of promos on the left.

It wasn't just that way at the formal press event.  I saw them at the actual Wizard World con and they were just as cool, although very busy with their tattooing,.  Yes, they were doing tattoos on site.

This is just another example of the fun that can be found at Wizard World.  Thank you to the fine folks at Wizard World and especially to Josh and Chris!

Days of the Dead...This Weekend!!

This weekend, Days of the Dead will again invade the Chicago area.DotD Chicago is one of four yearly DotD events.  The other three are in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Indianapolis (which I always attend, too).
I've previously written many times about the greatness that is Days of the Dead.  I remeber meeting promoter Adolfo at the very first one years ago in Indy.  Several years and many fantastic events later, DotD just keeps getting better.
It all starts with Adolfo.  He and his staff make sure that everything runs smoothly.  I have never seen any major problems at any DotD event.  That is amazing considering the number of variables involved.
I have had so any memorable experiences at DotD.  Lita Ford once broke into song while playing guitar.  Roddy Piper choked me and put me in a sleeper hold.  Felissa Rose gives me warm hugs every time I see her.  I could go on and on.
This year, the guest list includes wrestling Hall of Famer Bret Hart, former wrestling star Chyna, legendary musician Ace Frehley, actress PJ Soles and many more.  This is a power-packed lineup and I plan on spending some quality time mingling with all of them.
I'll be reporting live at the event, along with providing post event coverage on twitter and Facebook.  I'll also post plenty of stuff here after the event.
Don't rely on my coverage though.  Experience Days of the Dead for yourself.It is a blast.  I look forward to it every year and I am sad when it ends.
For more info, check out DaysoftheDead.net.  If you see Adolfo, tell him Johngy sent you.

Roddy Piper and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2013.

Jay Bradley or Aiden O'Shea

I am not going to bash TNA Wrestling, but I admit I have not watched it in a long time.  I am interested in one wrestler in particular though.

I first knew him as Jay Bradley from Resistance Pro Wrestling.  Jay was a butt-kicking machine.  He probably would have been a champ at RPro, if he wasn't wrestling away so much (Japan etc).  At that point, Jay was like a 4A baseball player.  He was too good for the indy scene, but couldn't quite get the break in the big leagues (TNA or WWE)..

I watched Jay closely at RPro.  He was a real talent and stood out because of that.  He had a brief run in TNA back then, but returned to RPro.

Fast forward several months and I heard about Aiden O'Shea, an Irish thug fighter sort of character wrestling in TNA.  I didn't think much of it, until I saw it was Jay.  While I would have liked to see Jay return to TNA as Jay, I was happy he was back there at all.

It's good to see Jay getting some tv time with TNA.  I actually watch now, because of Jay.  I wish Jay a lot of success.  He always treated me well at RPro and I appreciated that.  I also appreciated watching him perform.

One of my favorite memories of Jay was when Matt "Big Money" Parker caught him for an interview at Wizard World.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Jay Bradley at Wizard World 2012.

Jay Bradley and me in Willowbrook, IL-June 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Reggie Jackson and David Herro

This is a regular series about friends who have met celebrities.

When I was growing up, Reggie Jackson was one of the biggest superstar athletes.  Love him or hate him, you could not deny his ability to shine, especially on the big stage.  Mr. October was a name well-earned by Jackson.

If Jackson is Mr. October, David Herro can be Mr. December.  Like Jackson, Herro shines on the big stage.  His big stage is Blizzard Brawl, a big event held every year in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Blizzard Brawl 11 is happening on December 5, at the Waukesha County Expo.This year, the headliner is Chyna, the Ninth Wonder of the World.  There will also be several other wrestling stars, including Tommy Dreamer, The Boogeyman,  Curt Hawkins, Scotty 2 Hotty, Zach Gowen, Kevin Thorn, The Headbangers and more!

Additionally, Herro will be facing TNA wrestling star Abyss in the ring.  Who knows what will happen in this match?!

This is a great event.  Herro and his crew put on a fantastic show.  I'll be there and I hope to see all of you.  For more info and updates, head to the Great Lakes Championship Wrestling site.

Reggie Jackson and David Herro in Louisville, KY-August 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #247 Warren Beatty & Velvet Sky

This is a regular series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys created into virtual trading cards.  Today, I once again feature the opponent of the Bears.

In Heaven Can Wait, Warren Beatty played Joe Pendleton, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who died too early and came back in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.  Beatty was a major player on the Hollywood scene back then.  His Celebrity Jersey Card merits extra points for including a helmet and also for the old school Rams look.  Just for the record, the #16 was once worn by Ron Jaworski during his time with the Rams.  Heaven Can Wait came out two years after Jaws left for Philly.

Velvet Sky appears again to represent the Rams for a Celebrity Jersey Card.  Despite my preference of the old school Rams look, I don't have any problems with Velvet's look.  I don't think that is the proper form for holding on a field goal, but again, I won't complain.  Her #81 might be for wide receiver Torry Holt, who spent ten seasons with the Rams.  I think Beatty would like to be paired with Velvet.

Brian C. Roll at Wizard World Chicago 2015

Brian C. Roll is described as an artist, writer, creator and fan.  He has been interested in art going back to his early days with crayons.  He has come a long way, eventually serving for 13 years as the Creative Director for NECA/WizKids HeroClix.  His work can also be seen on a lot of toy packaging.

His artwork features vibrant colors and brilliant shadowing.  His work is very realistic and comes to life.

You can see some of his work behind him on his display, but for a better look, go to OdysseyArt.net.  You can see dozens of great pieces there.  His subjects range from tv's Smallville to Harry Potter to Kermit the Frog and a lot more.  His superhero collection is amazing (even though he doesn't have Aquaman...my favorite).

I also would love to see what he can do with pro wrestlers.  The colors, shapes and ring gear would seem to be perfect for his beautiful style.

I am sure he doesn't need my suggestions, though.  He is doing quite well on his own.  Check out his work and learn for yourself.

Brian C. Roll and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

Chantell Taylor is Pretty Strong

When I first met Chantell Taylor at a Chicago Bliss practice, I thought she was in excellent shape and she certainly was attractive.  No offense, but she did not strike me as someone who could do real damage on defense.  I was wrong.

Chantell is a beast on defense.  She is one of the best defensive players in the Legends Football League.  She  has a rare and deadly combination of speed, strength and football smarts.  I have seen her drive quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and linemen crazy, sometimes on one play.  She also can drive teammates crazy in practice.  She has passion for the game and is determined to win on every down.

By now the world is learning about Chantell and the rest of the Bliss on Pretty.  Strong., their tv show on the Oxygen Network.  If you haven't watched it yet, make sure you do.  The Bliss deserve the attention.

My only problem with Chantell is that sometimes early on, I had trouble recognizing her.  I blame it on her ever-changing hair styles.  Once she was on the field, I knew exactly who she was though.  Other LFL teams know who she is, too, and that isn't good news for them

Chantell Taylor and me in Bridgeview, IL-May 2015.

Heroes and Legends Fanfest Is Coming In March 2016

It is only the beginning of November and there is a long winter ahead of us.  Still, it is not too early to start marking your calendars for great events in 2016.  One of the earliest fun times will be at Heroes and Legends VI.

The Heroes and Legends Fanfest will be held on Saturday March 26 in Fort Wayne, IN.  A few big name wrestling guests and wrestling matches have already been announced.

Your Olympic hero Kurt Angle is a Platinum Guest.  Other star wrestlers include Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Kevin Thorn.

The two matches signed so far are great starts to what should be a fantastic card.  Heroes and Legends World Champ Dru Skillz will be challenged by Abyss.  Heroes and Legends Cruiserweight Champ Troy Miller is being challenged by DJ Zema Ion.

This event promises to be awesome.  It is a rare opportunity to have so many legendary wrestlers available for pictures and autographs.  Plus, they are presenting a top notch night of wrestling.  This is a wrestling fan's dream day.  There aren't many chances like this in the midwest.

Wrestlers make for some of the best celebrity guests at any convention.  They genuinely appreciate their fans.  They also have interesting stories to tell.

Such is the case with Hall of Famer Valentine.  At the Motor City Comic Con, he told me a hilarious story, which you can find at On the Beat with Greg Valentine.

Valentine was one of two wrestlers there.  At Heroes and Legends, there will be many more.  I'll definitely be there, too.

I'll be providing pre-, live and post-event coverage for here and other sites.  Stay tuned here for more details.

Be sure to check out HeroesAndLegendsWrestling.com for ticket info and more updates and announcements.  Also, "Like" the Heroes and Legends Facebook page to follow them on social media.

Greg Valentine and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.

Ralph Macchio at Motor City Comic Con 2015

The Karate Kid came out over 30 years ago, but Ralph Macchio is still in demand by fans because of that film.  Obviously, Macchio has done plenty of other acting, but his role as Daniel LaRusso holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Macchio's first big role was on tv's Eight Is Enough as Jeremy, the youngster brought in to the Bradford household.  Unlike a lot of late additions of kids, Jeremy's character was pretty well-received.  That role alone could earn him a spot at the various comic cons.  Sitcom stars of those years are high in demand.

While we were waiting for Macchio, Cuzz and I saw a promo photo for The Outsiders, another early movie of Macchio's.  The picture featured Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Matt Dillon.  That is a virtual Hall of Fame collection.  Imagine getting that picture signed by all.

The best part about Macchio is that he is as nice as could be.  I have met him many times and he is always great to the public and press.  Macchio is one child star success story!

Cuzz Gekas, Ralph Macchio and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.

(AL) Snow Forecasted For Blizzard Brawl

Blizzard Brawl 11 is being held at the Waukesha County Expo in Waukesha, WI on Saturday, December 5.  This yearly event run by #SuperFriend David Herro is one of the highlights of the year.

First, anything involving Herro is going to be fun.  The guy works hard to deliver great shows.  I am sure Blizzard Brawl will feature action-packed matches, wrestling legends and much more, including some segment involving his son Kal.  Herro's love for his son is evident and very heartwarming.

Another certainty at Blizzard Brawl is Al Snow, longtime friend of Herro's and of Johngy's Beat (see promo on the left side).  Snow loves "punching" me in pictures.  I get such a kick out of seeing him get such a kick out of these pictures.  They have become tradition at this point.

This is just one example of the fun that will be had at Blizzard Brawl 11.  I am excited already.  I will be there and I hope to see a lot of my friends, as well.  For mor info and updates, check out the Great Lakes Championship Wrestling site.

Al Snow and me in Chicago, IL-April 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Deena Fagiano and Jimmy Butler

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

In March of 2013, I attended a sports collectibles convention and had my first encounter with the Chicago Bliss.  I met and interviewed a handful of the players, including MVP quarterback Heather Furr and wide-receiver-safety Alli Alberts.  Apparently, I failed to meet Deena Fagiano, one of my favorites.

Chicago Bulls draft pick Jimmy Butler did not miss the opportunity to meet Ms. Fagiano.  At the time, it might have seemed like Fagiano met Butler.  Two Legends Football League titles later, we know who became the real star.  Did I also mention that Deena is one of the featured players on Pretty.  Strong. on the Oxygen Network?

To be fair, Butler has done quite well with the Bulls.  It's unfortunate that the Bulls have not done well at all, though.  At least Butler has started to get some acclaim as a rising star.

Fagiano or Butler?  You decide.  As for me, I have already made my pick.  I've been on the Bliss bandwagon for years now.

Jimmy Butler and Deena Fagiano in Rosemont, IL-March 2013.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #246 Ralph Macchio & Velvet Sky

This is a regular series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys created into virtual trading cards.  Today, I once again feature the opponent of the Bears.

We last saw Ralph Macchio very early in this series.  He was sporting a New York Islanders jersey.Today, we see a younger Macchio wearing a San Diego Chargers jersey.  This could be an "in action" Celebrity Jersey Card, as it is from a scene from The Karate Kid.  Macchio gets extra points for wearing star receiver Wes Chandler's #89.  The card gets extra points for including Pat Morita (aka Mr. Miyagi).

Velvet Sky is repping the powder blue of the Bolts for another of her Celebrity Jersey Card appearances.  She gets extra points (not that she needs them) for wearing #85, regularly worn by star tight end Antonio Gates.  I get extra points for not including a tight end joke.

Covering the "Pretty. Strong." Chicago Bliss

I have been covering the Chicago Bliss for the last three seasons and I have immensely enjoyed the experience.  There have been so many great times, like when my ace photog Jack Keenan and I traveled to Los Angeles to watch them win their second Legends Cup.

Among other benefits is that the Bliss have given me a lot of material and the stories I write for Tru School Sports are among the most viewed on TSS.  Lately, I have been recapping and reviewing Pretty.  Strong., their docu-series on the Oxygen Network.

All of those stories can be found via the links below.

The Chicago Bliss are "Pretty.  Strong."

"Pretty.  Strong." Episode One Recap and Review

"Pretty.  Strong." Episode Two Recap and Review

"Pretty.  Strong." Episode Three Recap and Review

"Pretty.  Strong." Episode Four Recap and Review

"Pretty.  Strong." Episode Five Recap and Review

I can't honestly say that I love the show, but I enjoy seeing the women on television getting more exposure.  I don't dislike the show either.  I am just finding it less than what I hoped it would be. As I write in most of my TSS pieces, the Bliss are a rich source of gold material.  Beautiful, athletic, intelligent, personable women playing football seems like a winning proposition.  It's what drew me to the team three years ago and has kept me hooked ever since.  I only wish the series showcased them in the light that I see them.

The show isn't failing.  It's just not delivering all that it could.  Maybe that is just my love for the team though.  Maybe I want the world to see the women that I have grown to respect and call friends.  I'v heard great reviews from others.  Maybe it is just me.  If I am guilty of that, it's because I care too much about the team and I want everyone else to see them how I see them.

Jack Keenan and me in Ontario, CA-September 2014.

Heather Furr's Future?

The Chicago Bliss made news earlier this week by signing quarterback Sindy Cummings, formerly of the Las Vegas Sin.  As regular readers know, the Bliss already have a quarterback in two time MVP "Rockstar" Heather Furr.

Some (including the Bliss Facebook page) have questioned whether this could signal the end of the Furr era in Chicago.  In QB Sindy Cummings Signs With Chicago Bliss, my piece on Tru School Sports, I gave my thoughts on the situation.  Here today, I will focus on Furr.

I first met Heather at a sports collectibles show in March of 2013.  I was just started to cover the Bliss and admittedly I did not know much about Heather or the team.

Since that day, I have learned quite a bit about Heather.  She is the unquestioned leader of the Bliss.  She is a fierce competitor on both sides of the ball.  I often mention her appearance on Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge as more evidence of her toughness.  She is as smart, gritty and determined of an athlete as I have ever seen.

Heather also lives up to her "Rockstar" nickname.  Her entrances are theatrical, with Heather borrowing a bit from Hulk Hogan.  In one game, she famously drank a beer handed to her from a fan after a touchdown.

Despite two titles and two MVP awards, Heather has endured criticism for her lack of a power arm.  The LFL never lists her as one of their top few quarterbacks.  In my story for TSS, I mentioned that she reminded me of former Chicago Bears QB Jim McMahon.  McMahon didn't have all of the skills as some of the star quarterbacks of his era, but he won and his teammates loved him.  Had he stayed healthy, who knows what would have happened.  Furr has the same intangibles you can't quantify.  

I don't have any insight as to what will happen.  Barring any other announcements, this story should start to unfold at the Bliss tryouts in January.  Somehow, I still think Heather holds the cards.

I certainly hope to see Heather in a Bliss uniform next season.  In an interview with Heather, she told me she would like to coach in the LFL after she retires.  I think she would be a great choice and I would love to see her as the first woman coach.  Unless Coach Keith Hac is retiring and turning over the team to Heather, I hope her coaching career waits a while longer.

If this is the end of the Furr era, I am very glad I was able to witness her at her best for three seasons.  It has been a privilege and it has been fun watching her.

Heather Furr and me in Bridgeview, IL-January 2015.

Mike Lanier at Motor City Comic Con 2015

As we walked into the press area at the Motor City Comic Con 2015, we encountered a very tall man.  (I later learned, "very tall" translated to 7'6" inches, which is extremely tall.)  We were introduced to Mike Lanier.

I later learned Lanier actually has an identical twin Jim.  They played college basketball at the University of Denver (Jim) and UCLA (Mike).  You know you wanted to know that!

Lanier was at the MCCC to meet fans, other stars and to promote It Follows.  In It Follows, the main character of Jay (female) is followed by a shape-shifter, which brings about all sorts of terror.  Lanier is one of the shapes of the shape-shifter.

It follows is a horror flick, which does a slow burn of terror.  These are the scariest, most unsettling and most enjoyable for me.  Cheap, quick thrills and chills don't stay with you, like this type of terror.

Lanier seemed completely the opposite of terror, however.  He seemed genuinely happy to be noticed and mingling with fans and press.  Despite a slight bit of difficulty which seemed in his walk, he appeared to be in pretty solid shape.  None of this is easy for guys his size.

Lanier played some college basketball, eventually transferring to UCLA, which he called a mistake.  He was basically reduced to a practice player.  That's unfortunate.  I'd love to see what a player his size could do if properly coached.

He indicated he would like to do more acting, but for now he is happy working his regular job in the Detroit area.  If he wants to revisit his fame, all he needs to do is attend the MCCC every year and he is a guaranteed attraction.

Mike Lanier and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.

Chicago Bandits, Coach Stu and Coach's Corner

Last season, the Chicago Bandits and their Manager Mike Steuerwald started the Coach's Corner program.  Donations were sought to sponsor season tickets, which were donated to youth programs and community centers in the Chicagoland area.
The Bandits and Coach Stu have announced an expansion of the Coach's Corner program for the 2016 season.  Individuals and businesses can make donations to sponsor tickets.  For every $162 raised, one season ticket will b donated.
This is just another example of why the Chicago bandits are a great organization.  It starts with owner Bill Sokolis and it includes everyone who is involved in the Bandits Nation!
The Coach's Corner webpage has more info on that great cause.  The Coach's Corner GoFundMe site is also up and accepting donations.  Right now I am just spreading the word, but I will be putting my money where my mouth is with a donation.
I see the good the Bandits organization does on a regular basis.  I see the many young girls looking up to their Bandits favorites and I see those Bandits reaching out to the youth.  The Bandits aren't just a team in Chicago.  They are part of Chicago and Coach's Corner is one more sign of their continual community involvement.
I really appreciate everything that the Bandits do and I encourage everyone to just give (even a little).  Let's see the Ballpark filled with the underprivileged youth and their mentors

Mike Steuerwald and me in Chicago, IL-August 2015.

Check Out My Cards...That Never Were (My 1976 Topps Traded Project)

"Cards That Never Were" is a recurring series borrowed from many other bloggers.  The latest site I have discovered is When Topps Had (Base)Balls!, a great site dedicated to creating virtual cards where there should have been real cards.  Of special interest to me, is the "1976 Project" he has recurring.
The Topps 1976 set is the first baseball card set I ever had.  I bought it for $8.99.  While it was cool to have the whole set, I did miss some of the fun of opening packs (along with the frustration of having too many doubles).  The 1975 White Sox (who appeared o the 1976 Topps cards) were the first team I followed intently.
I was always a bit disappointed when certain players (bench players etc) did not make it onto cards.  Back then (in the pre-computer age), all you could do was hope that next season, that player would get a card.
In the age of computers, any card can now be virtually created.  In the blogging age, these cards can be posted for all the world to see.
Getting back to my 1976 White Sox team set, Topps printed 22 Topps regular players cards, 5 Traded White Sox cards and 3 multi-player White Sox rookies.
The problem is the Sox used 41 players in 1975   Of those 41 players, 5 (Deron Johnson, Buddy Bradford, Bill Sharp, Tony Muser and Stan Bahnsen) appeared on cards for other teams.  The Traded cards do not really count, because those players did not play for the Sox in 1975.  That leaves us with 11 players needing cards and 3 rookies who could have gotten solo cards.
I have created cards for 9 of those players.  I could not find any decent pictures of Bill Gogolewski (other than his SSPC card, but I did not want to reuse a card) or Chris Knapp.
I upgrade Chet Lemon and Lamar Johnson to solo cards, but I could not find a decent picture of Jack Kucek to upgrade him.
I gave Deron Johnson a card even though he appeared on a card with the Red Sox.  Johnson was traded to the Red Sox on September 21 and appeared in 3 games with them.  Because Topps did not give the White Sox a first baseman and the number placement was so close to another Red Sox player, I believe Topps intended this to be a White Sox card anyway.  The other 4 players appearing with other teams previously appeared with the White Sox, while Johnson had not.  Clearly, this all lead to me correcting all of this by giving Johnson his own White Sox card.
On the cards topic, I need to send a shout out to CheckOutMyCards.com.  COMC is the best place to shop for cards or just to look up cards.  I use CMOC for both.  Millions of cards are pictured and priced on the site.  It is invaluable in purchasing cards, as well as creating these virtual cards.
I also need to send a shout out to The 1975 Topps Traded Project.  The title says "1975," but there are plenty of 1976 Topps cards in there, too, including a 1976 Cy Acosta (ex-White Sox) that I created.  This site has so many cool card creations.  It is a virtual card creator/collector's dream!
In summation, the 12 cards below represent cards that I wanted to see in the 1976 Topps set.  I am still looking for usable pictures of Kucek, Gogolewski and Knapp.

Friendly Encounters: Alex Broadhurst and Jason Fleigel

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

JohngysBeat.com is back on the Beat with the Rockford IceHogs.  Our hockey expert Jason Fleigel joined me for our first trek to Rockford.
We saw a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against our hometown Chicago Wolves.  While it was a case of divided loyalties, I have to admit that I have become more of an IceHogs fan thanks to being around the team for the last two seasons.
My recap of the game and review of the season can be found on Tru School Sports at Rockford IceHogs Move to 4-3.  The story includes links to two media sessions that occurred after the game.
In previous years, we got a few one-on-one interviews, including Jason's with then_IceHog Alex Broadhurst, who is currently with the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  (As a side note, Alex's older brother Terry is now playing in Sweden.)  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Alex Broadhurst.  While you are there, check out the other Johngy's Beat interviews on the Rockford IceHogs playlist.
I hope you enjoy our coverage of the IceHogs as much as we are enjoying covering the team.  For more info on the IceHogs, check out IceHogs.com.

Jason Fleigel and Alex Boradhurst in Rockford, IL-April 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #245 Taylor Swift & Velvet Sky

This is a regular series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys created into virtual trading cards.  Today, I once again feature the opponent of the Bears.

Pennsylvania native Taylor Swift moved to Nashville, Tennessee in her early teens to pursue a career in music.  That move worked out well for her.  Swift has been known to wear hometown jerseys when in concert.  On this Celebrity Jersey Card, she is sporting #13, which was worn the most by punter Bucky Scribner.  I think Swift is making this one her own.

Our favorite jersey girl Velvet Sky is modeling the Vikings #15 on her latest Celebrity Jersey Card.  It was worn the most by quarterback Gary Cuozzo, but like Scribner, he did not make much of an impact in Minnesota.  Velvet rocks the jersey better than Cuozzo ever did.