Letters
You already have your 2010 Sportsman of the Year in Drew Brees. Although a Colts fan, I am a graduate of Purdue, and we could not ask for a better ambassador for the university than Drew. Looking forward to Baylen quarterbacking the Boilers in 2028. Boiler up!
Mike Shearer, Floyds Knobs, Ind.
As an American, my heart was with the Saints on Super Bowl Sunday for all the reasons that had to do with the city of New Orleans recovering (For You, New Orleans, Feb. 15). As an Ohio State Buckeye, I was happy to see a Big Ten quarterback have such success and make such an impact on and off the field. And as a mom, I was thrilled to see your family-friendly cover. Thanks for the reminder that to his baby boy, Drew Brees is still just Daddy—and that's what really matters.
Jen Headlee, Powell, Ohio
Let's pray that the ramifications of the Saints' Super Bowl victory will manifest themselves beyond the sidelines. The coming years will reveal whether this surreal season brought hope and enormous pride to a beleaguered city—or was it just a distraction from the social ills facing it?
Clint Maraggun, Seattle
Watson on Woods
Joe Posnanski opined that Tom Watson's comments about Tiger Woods's on-course behavior were Watson's way of telling Tiger to use his situation as an opportunity to make a fresh start (SCORECARD, Feb. 15). While I don't disagree with this assertion, Watson's timing renders it disingenuous. As Posnanski pointed out, Watson is, and always has been, a "scold," but to make these statements now, while everyone else does the same, just mixes them in with the rest of the noise. I am not a fan of Tiger, and I will be no less interested in golf while he is away, but I have lost a measure of respect for Watson because of his mob-rules timing. He should have had the courage to share his views at the time of one of Tiger's offenses.
Dan Sullivan, Pasadena
I found Watson's perspective on Woods quite curious. The implication that golf was a more professional and more refined sport before Tiger's time is very much at odds with the facts. Golf pre-Tiger was defined by elitism, racism and a deeply disturbing country-club attitude of exclusivity. Contrary to the notions of the revisionists of golf history, the sport is simply more civilized, accessible and popular because of Tiger and his generation of pro golfers.
William Bailey, Ivy, Va.
Watson, one of golf's statesmen, showed courage and leadership by speaking out on the standards expected of Woods.
John Sweeney, Plymouth, Minn.
Taking a Test Drive
I am an avid sports fan, but I can honestly say I've never watched a NASCAR race—until I read SI's NASCAR Preview. The idea of following a young, exciting driver like Denny Hamlin (Party Hard and Race Harder, Feb. 15) convinced me to watch the Auto Club 500.
Andrew Mitton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Chip off the Ol' Block
Thank you for the inspiring article on Mark Johnson and the U.S. women's hockey team (The Right Man for the Job, Feb. 15). I especially enjoyed the comments on Mark's decision to pass over the NHL and keep his word to continue building a championship-caliber women's team at Wisconsin. This man is—much like his father, Badger Bob, was—a positive role model.
David Dison, Evansville, Wis.
Backing Peyton
I could not agree less with Phil Taylor's article on Peyton Manning (POINT AFTER, Feb. 15), and I was cheering wildly for Who Dat Nation. Football is a team sport, and the better team won the Super Bowl. It's hard to pin the loss on a quarterback who completed 69% of his passes (31 for 45) for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Kelley Williams Jr.
Jackson, Miss.
It takes many players all doing their jobs for a team to win a game as big as the Super Bowl. Nobody in the NFL works harder in preparing himself and contributes more to his team's success than Manning. So until he plays all 60 minutes of a game, I think we should get off his case. Besides, how many people are calling Trent Dilfer a better quarterback than Jim Kelly?
Brad Michalak, Porter, Ind.
I am bewildered at the comments in SI and other media outlets about Manning. He is one of the greatest football players in history, and his record and stats prove it. He leads his team with an intelligent intensity, and he conducts himself with class on and off the field. In this day of in-your-face, self-indulgent pro athletes, Manning is all class. He did his job, but the Saints were the better team. Let's stop criticizing Manning and enjoy him while we can.
Gary Sgroi, Seaford, N.Y.
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