TANK MCNAMARA® Comic Strip’s Annual Sports Jerk of the Year Award and NEW 40-Year Sports Jerk Award Open for Nominations

Celebrating its 40th anniversary as a voice for sports in the world of comics, nominations will be accepted in three online formats. Past winners of the illustrious award include cyclist Lance Armstrong, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 7, 2014) – 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the witty and opinionated sports-focused comic strip TANK MCNAMARA. Universal Uclick, GoComics and Bill Hinds, co-creator of the trailblazing sports-driven comic strip, are commemorating the moment by continuing the strip’s annual “Sports Jerk of the Year Award.” Along with this prize, there will also be a “40-Year Sports Jerk Award,” acknowledging notorious athletes and deeds during the comic strip’s run.

Writer Jeff Millar and artist Bill Hinds created TANK MCNAMARA in 1974, and the strip has been fondly noted for bridging the comics and sport worlds. Their friendship and work came together like an accurate, strong-armed quarterback passing to a speedy, smart tight end, creating highlights for decades. The partnership brought out the best in both creators. Millar offered his wit and experience at a large, athletically celebrated university and a personal passion for sports; Hinds contributed his gift for illustrated storytelling and comedic pacing. The end result has been the iconic comic strip impacting five decades with a chronology of major issues affecting pro and amateur sports. While Millar passed away in November 2012 after a long illness, Hinds continues to create daily comics that highlight the humor, absurdities and socially relevant moments in today’s sports landscape.

“Sports Jerk Of The Year” nominations are accepted only for individuals – not a team, league, organization or corporation. Nominations are accepted in three formats through Friday, January 31:

The winner will be announced on Friday, February 14 on the GoComics website, its social media outlets and also in the TANK MCNAMARA comic strip seen in hundreds of publications. 

Twenty-five lucky people who submit entries will receive a TANK MCNAMARA collectable comic print, signed by Bill Hinds.

Bill Hinds is available for television, radio, print, online and podcast interviews regarding his work and the contest.

About Universal Uclick and GoComics
GoComics, from Universal Uclick, is home to many of the most popular comics and cartoons in the world. GoComics.com is the web's largest catalog of syndicated newspaper strips and web comics, offering new, fresh and free content every day. Classic and iconic cartoons include Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Ziggy and Dilbert. Recent successes include FoxTrot, Get Fuzzy, Pearls Before Swine, The Argyle Sweater, The Boondocks and Cul de Sac. There are two membership options (free and Pro); both providing personalized online access to new and classic comics. With content from critically acclaimed comic creators, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonists and the hottest up-and-coming talent, GoComics is guaranteed to have something that will make you smile. A full comic catalog can be found at GoComics.com or via its free mobile/tablet app on multiple platforms. For more information on Universal Uclick, visit UniversalUclick.com.

Media Contacts:

Gene Willis, Universal Uclick
816-581-7645
gwillis@amuniversal.com

Julie Halper, Universal Uclick

816-581-7658
jhalper@amuniversal.com