THE MAIL
S.L. Price's essay on Ray Lewis is a terrific study on how people see things in distinctly different ways. Fans and mainstream media embrace Lewis's passion and intensity on the field, while many, like myself, recoil at his over-the-top antics. It's disappointing that someone with so much arrogance and ego, as well as a "criminal background," is considered an ambassador for the NFL.
Bryon Ley, Lewis Center, Ohio
Rare Bird
I thought Price's article (SCORECARD) was an outstanding send-off for perhaps the best defensive player ever. Regardless of what people think of Lewis off the field, he always played the game with so much enthusiasm and heart that you couldn't help rooting for both him and the Ravens.
Griffin Porter, Toronto
Sugar Coating
It seems to me that your "Rule Tide" cover billing was a kinder, gentler way of describing Alabama's steamrollering of Notre Dame for the national championship. The Irish never even got out of the gate. "Riptide" would have been more appropriate.
Roger Golden, Venice, Fla.
Long Suffering
I feel Thomas Lake's pain of being hopelessly devoted to a team (... I'm a Falcons Addict). I've been an Astros fan for 33 years and have been through more than my fair share of frustrations and disappointments. After they lost an epic battle with the Phillies in the 1980 NLCS, I probably should have taken up stamp collecting for sanity's sake. I think if Houston ever does win the World Series, rather than jump for joy, I'll sit down and cry.
Jimmie Jones, New Braunfels, Texas
Bragging Rights
I enjoyed Steve Rushin's column on the noncelebrators (POINT AFTER). It would be great if the sports world could carry the role of the noncelebrator a bit further to include football players handing the ball to the official after a touchdown instead of spiking it, baseball players actually running out of the box instead of primping and posing on their way to first base when they hit a home run, basketball players not hoisting up three fingers after hitting a long-range shot, and coaches schooling their teams on the art of celebrating without the Gatorade shower. If we can praise losing graciously, surely we can praise winning the same way.
Michael Pantalione, Prescott, Ariz.
Contact
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Letters
E-mail SI at letters@SI.timeinc.com or fax SI at 212-467-2417. Letters should include the writer's full name, address and home telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.
Customer Service and Subscriptions
For 24/7 service, go to SI.com/customerservice. Call 1-800-528-5000 or write to SI at P.O. Box 30602, Tampa, FL 33630-0602. To purchase reprints of SI covers, go to SIcovers.com.
Advertising
For ad rates, an editorial calendar or a media kit, e-mail SI at SIpubqueries@timeinc.com.
If You Do Not Want The Swimsuit Issue
The annual SI Swimsuit Issue will be published in February. If you're a subscriber and would prefer not to receive it, call our customer service center toll free at 1-866-228-1175 and let us know. If you choose not to receive the SI Swimsuit Issue, SI will extend your subscription.
FEEDBACK
Did Chip Kelly make the right decision in leaving Oregon to coach the Eagles?
Michael C. Hall: He's perfect for the Eagles as long as he gets a quarterback who can run the spread. I hear Tim Tebow is looking for work.
Alistair Cox: The NFL will chew him up and spit him out. College recruiting is different from the draft, free agency and a salary cap.
Janice Horan: Teams that make the playoffs don't get very far without a strong defense. Kelly's speciality is offense, so I don't see him working out.
Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy): I think he will do very well in the NFL. Smart, confident and he thinks outside the box. He knows how to utilize personnel.
Brett Kottmann: He's going to hate Philadelphia. My money is on Kelly's returning to the college ranks in about three or four years, just like Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier.
Maurice Quintanilla: It's a great fit for the Eagles. Kelly will have explosive players on offense just as he did in Oregon, and if they can somehow keep Michael Vick, I think they will surprise people.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
"EVERYTHING IS MADE IN CHINA THESE DAYS. EXCEPT TOM BRADY'S TEARS. WE MAKE THOSE IN BALTIMORE."
ANGELA VELEZ (@FROZENFRESA)
PHOTO
BOB ROSATO (LEWIS)
PHOTO
JOHN W. MCDONOUGH (KELLY)
PHOTO
TWITTER.COM (TWEET)
PHOTO
AL TIELEMANS (COVER)
FOR JAN. 14, 2013