Jim McKay … Legendary Sports Announcer of Wide World of Sports and Olympics Dead at the Age of 86

Jim McKay, best known to generations as the host of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, has died at the age of 86. According to reports KcCay died of natural causes. Today, part of my childhood died as Jim McKay was the man that brought me sports in my youth. Long before ESPN and 24 hour sports networks there was only one show in town … ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Who did not watch “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”. From horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby, barrel jumping, Acapulco cliff diving and the Indy 500, Jim McKay was there.

If there was a sporting event … Jim McKay was there. On a personal note, one year back in the 80’s a group of friends went to the Belmont where we happened to stand some 10 feet away from McKay doing the post race analysis at track side.

However, it was the covering of one sporting event that made Jim McKay a household name for millions. Jim McKay went from sports announcer to news anchor during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany when Israeli athletes were taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists. An event that changed sports coverage forever.

Mr. McKay was thrust into the role of news anchor early on Sept. 5, 1972, when Israeli athletes were taken hostage at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. About to take a swim in the Sheraton’s pool when the call came, Mr. McKay “threw on clothes over his swim trunks and took his seat in the studio, where he would remain for most of the next sixteen hours,” the 1994 book “The House That Roone Book” recalled.
Mr. McKay memorably reported the news that eleven Israeli hostages had been killed. “They’re all gone,” he said.

To Jim McKay … the man who brought us sports without all the melodrama of today … thank you, God bless and rest in peace.

NEW YORK —  Jim McKay, the veteran and eloquent sportscaster thrust into the role of telling Americans about the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics, has died. He was 86.

McKay died Saturday, said ABC, the network with which he was long affiliated. The cause of death was not immediately given.

McKay was host of ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” for decades. The influential weekend series introduced viewers to all manners of strange, compelling and far-flung sports events.

Jim McKay, Olympics and ABC announcer, dies at age 86

McKay is best known for hosting “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” and 12 Olympic Games.

McKay won numerous awards for journalism, including the George Polk Memorial Award and two Emmys — one for his sports coverage, the other for his news reporting — for his work at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which were tragically affected by the Black September terrorists’ attack on the Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village.

Sportscaster Jim McKay dies at 86

Dwight White, Former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler Steel Curtain Defensive End Dies at Age 58

Dwight White, former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler great and one of the original members of the four man famed Steel Curtain, has died at the age of 58. The Steel Curtain was the most dominant front four defensive lines of the 1970’s. Dwight White leaves behind a wife and a daughter. What a sad loss to the football and Pittsburgh community as White would have turned 59 at the end of next month. Rest in peace.

It appears that White died from complications following back surgery; however, there are not many details to the cause. White made up the NFL legendary Pittsburgh “Steel Curtain” defense along with Ernie Holmes, Mean Joe Greene and LC. Greenwood. This dominating defense force helped the Pittsburgh Steelers to 4 Super Bowl wins in the 1970’s.

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Bo Diddley, Rock Pioneer and Icon Dies at the Age of 79

Bo Diddley … they just don’t make them like this anymore. A true music icon and one of the Founding Fathers of guitar rock has passed. A man who influenced so many in the music industry has passed.

“If you ain’t got no money, ain’t nobody calls you honey”

“You Don’t Know Diddley”. Now unfortunately many of us will never. 79 year old rock icon Bo Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Florida yesterday. God rest his soul, rest in peace.

The name Bo Diddley came from other youngsters when he was growing up in Chicago, he said in a 1999 interview.

“I don’t know where the kids got it, but the kids in grammar school gave me that name,” he said, adding that he liked it so it became his stage name. Other times, he gave somewhat differing stories on where he got the name. Some experts believe a possible source for the name is a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow.

One of the greatest compliments that one can ever receive is being called a true original. Bo Diddley was just that.

They will never, ever say, ‘Oh, he?s like Bo Diddley.’ He was as one-of-a-kind as you could possibly imagine.?”

Bo Diddley, Rock’s Pulse; The ‘Originator’ Propelled A New Musical Genre With His Distinctive Beat

Comic Dick Martin of Laugh In Fame Dies at 86, RIP

Comic Dick Martin has passed away at the age of 86.

Who could not forget Dick Martin, one half of the hysterical comedic dynamic duo of Rowan and Martin on Laugh-In? Dick Martin provided so us with so many laughs and was a true comedy pioneer.The TV show Laugh In was way before its time. In recent years Dick Martin had suffered from severe respiratory problems.

“He had had some pretty severe respiratory problems for many years, and he had pretty much stopped breathing a week ago,” Greenberg said.

Martin had lost the use of one of his lungs as a teenager, and needed supplemental oxygen for most of the day in his later years.

He was surrounded by family and friends when he died just after 6 p.m., Greenberg said.

Dick Martin, thank you for the laughs … Rest in Peace.

Tragedy in Music City, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 Year Old Daughter of Music Star Steven Curtis Chapman Struck & Killed by Car

What a terrible, terrible, tragic accident. Maria Chapman, the 5 year old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed by a car just south of Nashville, TN. If the tragic accident is not bad enough, Maria, was struck by the car in her driveway. A car driven by her teenage brother. The 5 year old was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center where she later died. God rest her soul. Rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers are with the Chapman family.

Maria, 5, was the youngest daughter of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. A message from Steven Curtis Chapman’s web site.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

McPherson said no charges are expected.

“It looks like a tragic accident,” she said.

The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said. She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager. (FOX News)

What makes this story even more painful and tragic is that Maria was adopted from China by the Chapman’s. Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, have done missionary work in Chinese orphanages. They have adopted three children from China and and create Shaohannah’s Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

Recognizing that adoption is a perfect picture of what God has done for each of us in making us His children through Christ, Shaohannah’s Hope has been established to care for orphans by engaging the church and helping Christian families reduce the financial barriers to adoption.

“Cinderalla” inspired by his two youngest adpoted daughters.

Psalm 68:5-6 tells us that as the Father to the fatherless, God delights in setting the lonely in families. It has been our experience that the scriptural mandate of caring for orphans, such as the one found in James 1:27, is really a wonderful invitation to experience God in a profound way by being a part of His sovereign plan for His precious children.

Singer Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter is struck, killed by car

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol

Why do bad things happen to good people? However, God does have an ultimate plan for all of us.

The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans.” He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.” (The Tennessean)

VIDEO – touching and emotional video of the Chapman family. Comments from the Chapman’s pastor. Watch HERE

When Love Takes You In

Let this be a reminder that “Love” knows no race, creed or color. The greatest gift you can give is Love.
“Miracles start with the beat of a heart, when Love takes you home”