Letters
Going Too Favre
So Brett Favre came out of retirement and beat the Miami Dolphins (A Season of Renewal, Sept. 15)—a team the New York Jets annually beat without him. To my mind, much more heroic things happened in Week 1 of the NFL season, such as Buffalo beating Seattle or Carolina bouncing back against San Diego.
Ezra Tanen, Thornhill, Ont.
Breaking News
Your picture of the hit on Tom Brady (All Is Lost! [Or Is It?], Sept. 15) was amazing—it's no wonder he is out for the season! Pictures like that are the reason that I subscribe to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.
John T. Huppert, Rockwood, Tenn.
When I saw the picture of the hit on Brady with his leg collapsing, I had to close my eyes. It was 39 years ago, almost to the day, that I took a similar hit during a fraternity intramural football practice. The pain was beyond excruciating. It is incomprehensible to me that Brady was able to walk (although assisted) off the field.
Jim Lavold, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Love Among the Bruins
In Rick Neuheisel's interview with Dan Patrick (JUST MY TYPE, Sept. 15) the UCLA coach told Dan after an opening-week win against Tennessee that they were "in this together." So I guess that means, Dan, that you were responsible for 29 1/2 points in UCLA's 59--0 loss the next game to BYU!
Jack Weiss, Wilmington, N.C.
PAT Answer
Stewart Mandel maintained that Washington's loss to BYU came because a referee's flag toss for excessive celebration (INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, Sept. 15) pushed an extra-point attempt back 15 yards. But even at 35 yards, the attempt that would have taken the game into overtime was still a chip shot. Wasn't the game really decided by BYU's blocking that kick? That play was no fluke. Last December, BYU blocked a similar-length kick, a 28-yard field goal, to defeat UCLA.
Larry D. Macfarlane, Orem, Utah
Talking Sports
A word on why a woman golfer's ability to speak English matters (PLAYERS, Sept. 15). For many years while it was staged at the Moon Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, I sponsored and played in the LPGA pro-am. What made the experience worthwhile was the banter with the professionals during the round. While it might be enjoyable to watch a lady pro play, no matter what language she can or cannot speak, I would not pay for the privilege of playing with one who could not speak English. LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens did a lousy job of explaining that the LPGA tour, unlike the PGA Tour, survives because of pro-ams. Nevertheless, she should have stuck by her guns about the basic principle. If the South Koreans want to help the tour, let them learn English.
Brent Moody, Phoenix
Enjoying the Ride
A small point in Luke Winn's story on the Brewers fans and CC Sabathia, but Winn refers to Harley-Davidson as a 107-year-old company. It actually turned 105 this year. (I just rode my Heritage Softail cross-country to celebrate the anniversary.) I wish Winn would turn out to be wrong about the Brewers losing CC in free agency after this season, but he's probably got his facts straight on that one. Still, we're giddy every fifth day knowing that CC (Cubs Crusher) Sabathia will be on the mound. In Wisconsin we hope to ride our Harleys through late November. Brewers fans will be happy just to ride CC through late October.
Ted Perry, Whitefish Bay, Wis.
Suck It Up
NFL players must be soft. Chargers center Nick Hardwick says he can't envision an 18-game schedule (INSIDE THE NFL, Sept. 8). What's the big deal? In the CFL, teams play 18 games over 19 weeks, after playing two preseason games. The players don't complain—they just play football.
Robert Ristoff, Scarborough, Ont.
Politically Incorrect
I don't deny any athlete his or her right to be involved in politics. I recognize and celebrate my constitutional obligation to allow others to publicly speak their mind without persecution, and it is refreshing to see athletes who can think beyond a playbook (Choosing Sides, Sept. 8). However, I view sports as an escape from the pressures and stressors of everyday life. Let me pretend for a couple of hours that the only thing that really matters is if my team scores enough points. Tell me about your favorite humanitarian cause but not what politician or political party you support. Help keep sports a safe haven of escape.
Joel Adour, Camillus, N.Y.
In your Pop Culture Grid (PLAYERS, Sept. 15) two of the four athletes questioned did not even know who vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was. I'm not sure if it's just a sad example of the disconnect of professional athletes or the blissful cluelessness of young Americans in general. But if either of these two athletes ever tries to use his platform to comment on issues facing the nation, I hope someone will remember his answers to SI.
Jason Davis, Sevierville, Tenn.
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BOB ROSATO