Nicknames can define a sports figure
By: Tim Chambers
Tomahawk Sports Editor
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I was treated to a good slice of Humble Pie this weekend.
Everyone from Mountain City has heard about Clyde Shoun. Hes been written about several times in The Tomahawk being referred to as Hardrock.
Im not sure how he got that name although I did learn he was one of nine children and worked on his fathers farm. Farming is hard work so maybe thats how it came about. Or because he could throw a baseball through a brickyard.
Im not sure.
But this story is not about Hardrock Shoun the major league baseball player from Mountain City, Tennessee. Its about a man whose nickname clearly defined him.
I was approached by a friend on Saturday at the Carter County Hall of Fame Banquet applauding me for my work at The Tomahawk. He went on to say, You are up there in Clyde Shouns County.
The name rang a bell but something was missing. I sat there racking my brain thinking of what to say, how to reply.
I should have taken a bathroom break.
Im sure that Mr. Shoun is a good man, I replied. But Ive not seen him at any of the games.
His puzzled look only made me dig myself deeper in the hole.
Ive only been the sports editor since September so I dont know everyone up there by name but I know faces. Maybe Ill see him at the football games this fall.
The man almost choked on a piece of pork and spit his coke out halfway across the table.
I doubt it, he said with a loud laugh. Hardrock passed away in 1968.
All I could think of at that point was the Dragnet Tune from the hit show in the 60s. And some words that I added to the tune.
Dumb, da, dumb dumb. Dumb, da, dumb dumb, da.
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