What do oil wells and college football legend John Heisman have in common? Titusville, Pa., it turns out.
Let us explain. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., has introduced a bill, expected to be approved this week, that would recognize the historical and national significance of the many contributions of John William Heisman to the sport of football.
Wait, didn’t Heisman, in whose honor the Heisman Trophy is named, die in 1936? Well, yes. But Thompson’s Western Pennsylvania district is celebrating “Oil 150,” the 150th anniversary of the region producing the world’s first commercial oil well. This occurred in — wait for it — Heisman’s hometown of Titusville. According to Thompson’s spokeswoman, “It seemed to be a good time to honor an outstanding citizen of that town.”
Action on the bill was postponed Monday night.
In other sports-related news, first-year Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen was the guest of honor at a lunchtime Q&A at the ESPN Zone on Tuesday.
“I was a Reds fan growing up, die-hard,” said Stammen, who grew up in Western Ohio and attended the University of Dayton.
Playing in Cincinnati will be a big deal for Stammen when the Nationals play the Reds in August, he said. But his former allegiances aside, Stammen reassured Nationals’ fans by saying: “The Washington Nationals are my favorite team now.”
And it’s time to welcome Shaquille O’Neal to the squared circle. World Wrestling Entertainment announced on Monday night’s broadcast of “Raw” that the NBA superstar (and longtime pro wrestling fan) would guest-host next week’s edition of the show from Verizon Center.
The show has been featuring a new guest host every week. Shaq will follow in the footsteps of ZZ Top and comic actor Seth Green.
