John Letasky
Encyclopedia
John Letasky is an American
sportswriter and columnist. Letasky is currently the Club Boxing
, MMA
and prep wrestling
beat writer for the Billings Gazette
. He also covers various other sports for the Gazette, including state prep football. In the summer Letasky has written the Gazette fishing report. He is well known throughout the state of Montana and is better known by his nickname "Chopper."
Letasky graduated from Rocky Mountain College
with honors, holding a degree in English and History. In June 2003, he coined the term "jet leg" (as opposed to "jet lag") in describing a baseball pitcher's discomfort while sitting on a plane. Letasky is also known to interview himself on occasion.
Letasky has interviewed various World Wrestling Entertainment stars including Brock Lesnar
, Randy Orton
, Shawn Michaels
, John Cena
, and Eric Bischoff
. Letasky has also interviewed Montana boxer
Todd Foster
.
Red Wire re-launched as Red Wire II on March 30, 2009 on the My.BillingsGazette.com portal.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportswriter and columnist. Letasky is currently the Club Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, MMA
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
and prep wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
beat writer for the Billings Gazette
Billings Gazette
The Billings Gazette is the largest newspaper in Montana and Northern Wyoming. It is geographically one of the largest distributed newspapers in the nation....
. He also covers various other sports for the Gazette, including state prep football. In the summer Letasky has written the Gazette fishing report. He is well known throughout the state of Montana and is better known by his nickname "Chopper."
Letasky graduated from Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College
Rocky Mountain College , located in Billings, Montana, is a private comprehensive college offering more than 25 liberal arts- and professionally oriented majors. In fall 2009, the college had 894 enrolled students...
with honors, holding a degree in English and History. In June 2003, he coined the term "jet leg" (as opposed to "jet lag") in describing a baseball pitcher's discomfort while sitting on a plane. Letasky is also known to interview himself on occasion.
Letasky has interviewed various World Wrestling Entertainment stars including Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is ranked the No.5 Heavyweight in the world by Sherdog...
, Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
, Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
, John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
, and Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
. Letasky has also interviewed Montana boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
Todd Foster
Todd Foster
Todd Foster is an American boxer in the Junior middleweight division.-Amateur career:Foster was an amateur boxing standout...
.
Red Wire
Letasky was one of the first writers for a Montana Newspaper (and first for the Gazette) to have an online-exclusive column. From 2002-03 Gazette online readers could get Letasky's take on various local and national sports issues in a column entitled Red Wire.Red Wire re-launched as Red Wire II on March 30, 2009 on the My.BillingsGazette.com portal.
Notable Achievements
- ABCUnited States Bowling CongressThe United States Bowling Congress is a sports membership organization dedicated to ten-pin bowling in the United States. It was formed in 2005 by a merger of the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance, and USA Bowling...
Bowling Pride Award (Best Dressed, Well-Mannered) - 2002 - In 2006 contributed information on Montana wrestlers to The American High School Wrestling Yearbook.