INBOX

FOR AUG. 3, 2015

I was a high school football player on a top-ranked team in South Carolina when H.G. Bissinger's Friday Night Lights was released, in 1990. Now, even though I'm 42 and have two boys, Bissinger continues to capture all of the goodness I felt back then about high school football.

Allen Ray Gillespie

Simpsonville, S.C.

Bissinger's follow-up on the boys from Odessa reads like a Shakespearean tragedy, one that is still prevalent in youth sports. Hopefully this will serve as a cautionary tale to parents, coaches and fans who seek to put these kids on a pedestal.

Haig Musurlian, Laguna Hills, Calif.

After reading Friday Night Lights, in 1991, I gave my copy to director Steve James. I said, "This is what we want our film Hoop Dreams to be." It was the only work I had seen in any medium that approximated the vision we had for our film.

Frederick Marx, Oakland

Hoop Dreams co-creator, producer

I was disappointed to read Bissinger describe Boobie Miles's work driving a forklift and doing warehouse inventory as menial jobs. It doesn't show much respect for the many people who work these types of jobs to support their families.

Chris Greensfelder, Mill Spring, N.C.

While Carroll certainly deserves his portion of the blame for his decision, he is not the one who threw the interception. Shouldn't Russell Wilson, the guy who makes the decisions once the ball is snapped, have gotten a bit more scrutiny?

Jeff Ferre, Riverside, Calif.

When Carroll describes his call as "giving the game away," he fails to give credit where credit is due. Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler made a great and instinctive play on that interception.

Dan Ollendorf

Lexington, Mass.

Pete Carroll is quoted on your cover saying, "It's much easier for me to move forward than most people." That statement is a bit arrogant but also explains a lot. Yes, you should move forward, Coach Carroll—however, you should just run it next time.

Robert Ford

Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Cover: ROD MAR (CARROLL)

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ROBERT CLARK FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (FNL PLAYERS)

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