Butler Eagle Sports Editor John Enrietto speaks as he was inducted into the 2024 Butler County Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at BC3 Founders Hall on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

There is a new phrase gaining popularity in the sports world, and it is used to define greatness that has been unrivaled over an extended period of time. The term or phrase is that of “generational” athlete.

The Steelers have had a couple of generational quarterbacks in Bradshaw and Rothlisberger.The Penguins had Lemeiux and Crosby. The talent of those men was worshipped by the fan base of Pittsburgh for the period of time they wore the Pittsburgh uniforms.

They were not quite as lasting as a generation is usually considered, but they had long successful careers.

Here at the Butler Eagle, we have a true sports generational star. We were pleased when John Enrietto agreed to spread his wings and rise from a sports editor position in Steubenville, Ohio, and assume a very important role at our family-owned newspaper, becoming our longtime sports editor.

John brought with him the ethics and productivity that we believed would bring him success. He followed a sports legend, Mike Surkalo, by just a couple of years. Mike cast a considerable talent over our sports coverage area, and it was a real challenge to meet the standard, which was as Mike Tomlin would say is “The Standard.”

Meet, beat, improve, expand — you choose the word, and it applies to what John Enrietto did for us and for you.

On Saturday night, April 26, John was acknowledged and inducted as part of the 2024 Butler County Sports Hall of Fame class. The toughest job for anyone at the Eagle this week will be to cast a fair report on John and his enshrinement without being unfair to the other deserving candidates. Even tougher will be the job someone will have to fill when Darlene Enrietto, John’s wife, takes the longtime sports editor home from his desk one last time in July.

John, thank you for putting memories into print for generations of Butler youth. Thank you for keeping parents aware and appreciative of the work done by coaches, referees, umpires, PA announcers, athletic directors and cheerleaders. You did it as well or better than anyone ever.

You, sir, are a generational talent, a generational leader and a generational friend. Congratulations and best wishes.

— RV