THE MAIL

I understand that Ben Reiter's article on the controversial call from the Packers-Seahawks game (This Photo Tells a Story) was intended to present the referees' side, but it still does not change my conclusion: The refs botched the play. How many times have both an offensive and a defensive player come down with the ball, and possession not been awarded to the player who had the ball in both arms?

David Kimball, St. Louis

Call of Duty

I always understood Lance Easley's position on why he made that call. But because everyone was fixated on bashing the replacement officials, he wasn't given the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully fans can now see how Easley was just trying to do his job in a high-pressure situation.

T.J. Birkhead, Rochester, N.Y.

I used to believe that Easley simply made a mistake. Now I realize he's an arrogant idiot. Rather than take ownership of the error, he continues to try to "sell" it.

Tom Hansen, Venice, Fla.

Director's Cut

Brian Koppelman's essay on why Hollywood should not turn its back on sports movies (SCORECARD) was a great read but needs one small clarification. The scene from Rudy in which the Notre Dame players lay their jerseys on the coach's desk never happened. It was added by the filmmakers.

Mark Sonderman, Orlando

I am amazed that no Hollywood director has felt compelled to make a film about NFL legend Johnny Unitas. From his days as a young kid shoveling coal in Pittsburgh, to being cut by the Steelers without being given a chance to play, to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in history with the Colts—Unitas's story seems made for the silver screen.

Patrick Munley, Archbald, Pa.

Position Statement

I disagree with Peter King's comment that Adrian Peterson's season "isn't necessarily groundbreaking" because Wes Welker had an 86-catch season 35 weeks after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee (Decision 2012). Welker doesn't take the same kind of hits or go through the same punishment as a running back, whereas Peterson plays in a below-average pass offense, so he had to carry the ball about 20 times a game against eight-man fronts. Therefore he should be considered the best comeback player in NFL history.

Sebastian Muscarella, East Moriches, N.Y.

Peyton Manning deserves the Comeback Player of the Year Award after returning from his neck injury, while Peterson should be named Most Valuable Player since the Vikings' success was so largely based on his performance.

Joseph Evans, Roselle Park, N.J.

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Correction

Because of a production error in the Dec. 31 issue, the text for this graphic that details the shots Grinnell's Jack Taylor took in his record 138-point game against Faith Baptist Bible was omitted. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED regrets the error.

3-POINTERS TOTAL MISSED: 44

3-POINTERS TOTAL MADE: 27

LAYUPS TOTAL MISSED: 3

LAYUPS TOTAL MADE: 18

FREE THROWS TOTAL MADE: 7

FREE THROWS TOTAL MISSED: 3

2-POINT JUMPERS TOTAL MADE: 7

2-POINT JUMPERS TOTAL MISSED: 9

TWEET OF THE WEEK

"IT'S SO LIKE THE NHL TO END THE LOCKOUT ON AN NFL PLAYOFF SUNDAY. #MAXIMUMEXPOSURE"

ARASH MARKAZI (@ARASHMARKAZI)

ILLUSTRATION

ILLUSTRATION BY NICOLE ZIGMONT

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JOHN BIEVER (COVER)

FOR Dec. 24, 2012

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