PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He isn't merely a casual fan, but a devoted follower who counts among his friends a number of former players.
One of them, running back Jerome Bettis, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, this evening, and Furyk wouldn't miss it for the world.
Well, he might miss part of it for the World Golf Championship tourney at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. A late tee time coupled with slow play or a weather delay could make the timing a bit dicey. The distance between the two venues is only 15 miles on Interstate 77.
If all goes well Furyk will arrive with his wife and two kids in plenty of time to sit in Bettis' "friends and family" section at the induction ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m. Central time. They also plan to attend the Hall of Fame game between the Steelers and Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.
Although he lived near the Steel City only from age 2 through 7, Furyk's family has deep Pittsburgh roots. One grandfather worked in an aluminum mill and the other worked in a glass mill.
Jim spent much of his youth at the other end of Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia Eagles territory -- but he was already locked into Pittsburgh teams. By age 6, he could name every Steelers starter and recite their uniform numbers.
That was 1976, the year No. 88, Lynn Swann, made one of the most famous catches in Super Bowl history against the Dallas Cowboys. Little did Furyk know that Swann would be a close friend four decades later.
Furyk said he and Bettis aren't extremely close, and he was somewhat surprised when he was invited to the Hall of Fame bash.
The two first met when filming a TV commercial together. Bettis has participated in Furyk's charity golf tournament for the past couple of years, and they stay in touch.
Bettis biscuits?
A Bob Evans restaurant in Canton, Ohio, has a sign high above the parking lot offering soon-to-be Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis free, presumably all-he-can-eat, food.
ESPN's Trey Wingo posted a picture of the sign Friday that read, "Jerome Bettis eats for free."
Bettis is in Canton this week for Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
U.S.A. U.S.A. U.S.A.!
Baseball has been long known as America's pastime. The Cincinnati Reds decided to step up the patriotism surrounding the game recently. Baseball may be as American as apple pie, but now there might be something even more American.
It remains to be seen if breaking a world record while wearing an American flag cape following a baseball game will catch on. The record-breaking attempt of throwing a washing machine happened July 31, but video wasn't released until Wednesday. Video should be crucial when a world record attempt for throwing a washing machine is on the line, though it is difficult to understand what it has to do with baseball.
Strongman Sean McCarthy didn't just break the world record for throwing a washing machine, he obliterated it. McCarthy's toss went 15-feet, 9 inches. The previous record had been 13-6 1/2.
QUIZ
What is the only major championship Jim Furyk has won?
ANSWER
The 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club
Sports on 08/08/2015