Letters

Marcus Houston is not only what's good about sports but also
what's good about life.
--RYAN LONG, Ellwood City, Pa.

Quarterback Coaches

Kurt Warner's success is more proof that a quarterback's greatest
asset isn't necessarily his height, his size, his arm or his
speed, but what's between his ears (Well Armed, Oct. 9). It's
interesting to note that two of the top quarterbacks in the NFC,
Warner and Jeff Garcia, both honed their skills in so-called
inferior leagues. I wonder how many potentially great,
intelligent quarterbacks have been overlooked in the last decade
because they lacked the prototypical physical traits that the NFL
demands.
JASON SCHROEDER, Edmonton

Warner's surpassing some of Dan Marino's records won't make us
forget Marino's accomplishments. It will make us appreciate them
even more.
JOSH FRIDAY, Rockford, Ill.

I think comparisons of Warner to Marino, the greatest
quarterback of all time, would be best saved for an issue in
2008. If Warner can keep up his pace for the next eight years,
then we can start using his name in the same breath with
Marino's. I guess you figured you'd better write the story
before Kurt's carriage turned into a pumpkin and Rams fans put
their Warner jerseys back in the closet and started to wear
their Mark McGwire stuff again.
GREG DUERR, Calgary, Alberta

The Rap on Iverson

Thanks for running the lyrics to 40 Bars in the Oct. 9 issue
(SCORECARD). Without having seen it in print, I would never have
believed that one of our multimillionaire superstars could sink
to that level. Allen Iverson, despite his talents, should not be
provided with a forum to present such a message to young people.
Major League Baseball took action against John Rocker for
remarks that were not as offensive as the lyrics by Iverson, who
stands to profit, as Rocker did not, from his words. It's time
the NBA showed some courage and took substantial disciplinary
action against Iverson.
JOE WALDEN, Clovis, Calif.

Where's the outrage, where's the outcry, where are Jesse Jackson
and Al Sharpton threatening boycotts, staging protests and
demanding Iverson's suspension from the NBA? If I understand this
correctly, dangerous lyrics including racial slurs are O.K. as
long as they are the "artistic expression" of an NBA star. What a
sad and hypocritical double standard.
WILLIAM CHIVERS, Titusville, Fla.

Steve Rushin's critique of Iverson's profanity-laced gangsta
tirade is right on the money (AIR AND SPACE, Oct. 23). While
Iverson's experiences with racism and violence in high school
have been well documented, his rant rings hollow. Iverson has the
potential to speak to millions of youngsters. Surely he could
produce something more constructive.
JASON DILLON, Sebastopol, Calif.

I agree that Iverson's lyrics are irresponsible and disturbing.
Even more disturbing, though, is Rushin's mocking use of language
and terms commonly used in rap and hip-hop culture. Since Rushin
is a white male (as I am), I'm sure there will be a lot of
offended readers.
DAVE HORSMAN, Minneapolis

Mad about Marcus

It amazes me that someone the age of Marcus Houston has fought
for and accomplished things in areas that most kids do not even
think about (Too Good to Be True, Oct. 9). It's nice to see that
some athletes channel their energy to promote human rights rather
than to create absurd rap lyrics.
ANDY LORINO, Austin

COLOR PHOTO: BILL FRAKES

Watching Warner's Back

How could SI let a so-called expert like Peter King write an
article about the success of the Rams' offense with no mention of
their offensive line? Orlando Pace, Tom Nutten, Andy McCollum,
Adam Timmerman and Ryan Tucker, along with Isaac Bruce, Torry
Holt and Marshall Faulk, make Warner a fortunate man.
CHRIS WELLNER, Butler, Pa.