Art McNally obit

Art McNally, first NFL official enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame, dies at age 97

 

 He was not on the list.

A trendsetter in stripes or a suit, Art McNally was heralded as the "Father of Modern Officiating."

Responsible for introducing instant replay to the NFL along with a formal program for training officials, McNally in 2022 became the first on-field official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Leaving a monumental legacy, McNally passed away on Sunday at the age of 97, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced.

"Art McNally was a quiet, honest man of integrity. To see Art's decades of service recognized with his enshrinement as part of the Class of 2022 was a special moment for the Hall," Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement Monday. "His legacy as a strong leader who helped usher in the advanced training of officials and the technology necessary to keep up with a faster and more complicated game will be preserved forever in Canton."

McNally's days in the NFL began in 1959 as a field judge and ended in 2007 when he was an assistant supervisor to officials. In between, he helped to shape the league as it related to officiating and beyond.

No matter the sport, officials gaining notoriety is most often a negative that follows a controversial call. That was hardly the case for McNally, who even before his Hall of Fame enshrinement had his legacy forever etched in league history.

"Art McNally was an extraordinary man, the epitome of integrity and class," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Monday. "Throughout his distinguished officiating career, he earned the eternal respect of the entire football community. Fittingly, he was the first game official enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But more importantly, he was a Hall of Fame person in absolutely every way. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Sharon, his children Marybeth, Tom, and Michael, and his grandchildren."

In 2002, then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was behind the creation of the Art McNally Award, which is bestowed upon current or former officials who embody professionalism, leadership and sportsmanship. A decade later, McNally received the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award, which has only been presented 10 times as of 2022. Established in 1972, the Pioneer Award is presented in recognition of making "significant innovative contributions to professional football." McNally most certainly did that.

McNally's contributions to the league began in stripes, as he worked as a field judge in 1959 and then a referee from 1960 to 1967. McNally then put on a suit and became the NFL Supervisor of Officials in 1967, holding the position until 1991. McNally retired in 1991, but returned to the league in 1995 as the assistant supervisor to officials, a position he held until 2007.

For parts of six decades, McNally was instrumental in the league's officiating moving forward and making strides.

Though the NFL finds itself currently in an era of more offense than ever, the call for a more offensive game dates back decades. Much of the transformation through the rulebook came under McNally's watch -- hashmarks were repositioned, illegal contact was introduced and goalposts were moved from the base of the end zone to the back.

As the NFL grew season by season, McNally was growing its officiating. The advent of instant replay in 1986 not only altered football, but myriad other sports -- from college football to mixed martial arts to hockey to basketball.

McNally never gained a yard in his NFL career, nor did he ever register a tackle.

However, McNally's bust sits in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. His name adorns the NFL headquarters' officiating command center, known as Art McNally GameDay Central. And the contributions and innovations made by McNally are quietly celebrated and appreciated every Sunday of each fall.

A pioneer in stripes or a suit, McNally has passed away, but his impact on the NFL is forever etched in league chronicle.

Fred White obit

Fred White, Drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire, Dies at 67

He provided the beat on unforgettable hits like “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Shining Star” and “Boogie Wonderland.”

 

 He was not on the list.

Fred White, who played drummer for the Grammy-winning R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire during its 1970s and early-’80s heyday including such classic songs as “September” and “Shining Star,” has died. He was 67. His brother and bandmate Verdine White announced on social media that White was found dead on New Year’s morning.

“Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddy’ White,” he wrote (see the post below). “He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now with the angels.”

Fred White had been a drummer for Donny Hathaway and other acts when he joined Earth, Wind & Fire in 1974. He was behind the kit when the band was among the biggest R&B acts in the country, playing on its gold or platinum albums from 1975’s That’s the Way of the World — which topped the Billboard 200 — to 1983’s Electric Universe. The group scored eight consecutive Top 10 albums from 1975-81, including the live set Gratitude.

Earth, Wind & Fire also had seven Top 10 pop singles during that era, ranging from “Shining Star,” which hit No. 1 the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1975 and won a Grammy, to “Let’s Groove,” which spent five weeks at No. 3 in 1981. Their other biggest hits included “Sing a Song,” Beatles cover “Got to Get You Into My Life (from the 1978 Sgt. Pepper’s movie), disco classics “September” and “Boogie Wonderland” — the latter with the Emotions — and double Grammy winner “After the Love Has Gone.” EWF also scored eight No. 1s on Billboard’s R&B singles chart.

The band, which also was widely known for its brightly colored outfits and elaborate, high-energy live shows, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Fred White played at the induction ceremony after having left the group in the mid-1980s.

The group also had four Top 5 singles in the UK, and its albums I Am (1979) and Faces reached the Top 10 there. EWF had three other Top 10 UK albums with compilation discs from 1978-2010.

Earth, Wind & Fire amassed six Grammys from 1975-2005 and 17 total nominations. Along with the Rock Hall, the group was also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Gangsta Boo obit

Gangsta Boo’s mother speaks after Memphis rapper’s death

 

 She was not on the list.

Memphis rapper and former Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo died on New Year’s Day.

Gangsta Boo, whose real name was Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, was found dead Sunday afternoon at a home, according to the Memphis Police Department. She was 43.

The cause of her death is unknown but according to the Memphis Police Department, there were no signs of foul play.

Officers responded just before 2:20 p.m. Sunday to “a person-down call” to a home on Raines Road in the Whitehaven neighborhood and found that Mitchell had died, police said.

Police said Monday afternoon that the death investigation is ongoing.

DJ Paul, a founder of the legendary Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia, posted on Sunday afternoon a picture of Gangsta Boo on his Instagram profile as an apparent tribute.

Those close to Gangsta Boo called her “the Queen of Memphis” after a music career that spanned over 20 years.

In a statement, Gangsta Boos’ mother, Veronica Mitchell, called her daughter’s death “untimely” and requested privacy for her and her family. The mother’s full statement is below:

“The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell. The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one.”

Gangsta Boo’s publicist, Echo Hattix of Echoing Soundz, called the Memphis-born artist “a pioneer of female rap.”

Gangsta Boo rose to fame as the second female rapper of Three 6 Mafia, which featured her on their hit song “Tear da Club Up ‘97.″ She reportedly left the group in the early 2000s.

In 1998, she released her debut solo album, Enquiring Minds, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and featured the hit single “Where Dem Dollas At?!”

In her career, Gangsta Boo worked with several popular artists, including Eminem, OutKast, Gucci Mane, Run the Jewels and fellow Memphis rapper in GloRilla.

Her publicist also said in a statement that the rapper filmed an unreleased video, “Imma Mack,” as part of Memphis producer Drumma Boy’s album “Welcome to My City, Vol. 4.”

In a statement, Drumma Boy referred to Gangsta Boo as “a sister.”

“We both are Leos and share the same energy toward unity and seeing people happy!” Drumma Boy said. “This is just such a devastating loss cuz she always wanted to see others win! RIP to the Queen Of Memphis.”

Boo Mitchell, a Grammy-winning producer from Memphis, recalled watching Gangsta Boo perform her part in “Tear da Club Up ‘97″ during the early days of her career.

“Gangsta Boo was always the most happiest, the most joyous person,” Boo Mitchell said. “No matter what, she never changed.”

Sebastian Marino obit

Sebastian Marino, Former Guitarist for Overkill and Anvil, Dead at 57

 

He was not on the list.

The post Sebastian Marino, Former Guitarist for Overkill and Anvil, Dead at 57 appeared first on Consequence.

Sebastian Marino, who played guitar in the bands Overkill and Anvil, died at the age of 57 in the early morning of January 1st after being rushed to a hospital while working a sound job at a New Year’s Eve event in Florida.

Marino was a member of Canadian metal heroes Anvil from 1989 through 1995, appearing on their 1991 album Worth the Weight. Upon learning of Marino’s passing, Anvil singer-guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow wrote, “Condolences to my friend Sebastian Marino’s family and friends. Seby was a dear friend and I will miss him profoundly!! Worth the Weight was an extremely special Anvil album and it will keep Seby alive through our history forever! RIP SEBASTIAN MARINO.”

The guitarist joined New Jersey thrash legends Overkill in late 1995, and remained with the band until 1999. He performed on the albums The Killing Kind (1996), From the Underground and Below (1997), and Necroshine (1999).

For the past two decades, Marino owned and operated Audio Images Sound & Lighting, a company that provided production services for concerts and entertainment events.

Per one of his associates, Bruce Pilato, Marino had worked as part of the touring crews for such bands as Yes and Asia, among other acts.

Our condolences go out to Sebastian Marino’s family, friends, and bandmates during this difficult time.