INBOX

FOR OCT. 19, 2015

Does Justin Van Zuiden really believe that professional gamblers, who bet point spreads and over/unders, do any less work and research than he does? Daily fantasy football and betting on game results are one and the same: They are gambling.

Scott Hanselman, Redondo Beach, Calif.

Hiring Steve Sarkisian is one decision USC athletic director Pat Haden would love to redo, but he also retained Lane Kiffin after a 7--6 season in 2012, then fired him at an airport at 3 a.m. Haden has embarrassed the players, the university and himself with poor decision-making. He needs to step down so USC can move forward.

Russ W. Bill, Fountain Valley, Calif.

The article on Leonard Fournette gave me a deeper appreciation for just how talented he is. But I also wish you had given more credit to the LSU coaching staff and offensive line, whose work allows him to produce those astounding numbers.

Will Mallory, Los Angeles

While Back to the Future II's prediction of a Cubs championship didn't come true, SI may have gotten it right in a March 21, 2011, article, Royals, Flush, which predicted that Kansas City would "win the World Series in '15."

David Markley, Austin

PAGE 16

SCORECARD

Cleaning up Rio's Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and Guanabara Bay for the 2016 Olympics and beyond—in six steps or more—would be a goal more worthy than winning any canoe race.

Robert Focosi

San Marcos, Calif.

PAGE 38

I was glad to read the story of Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston, a humble hero who saved his brothers from a burning house and plans to build homes for his mother and grandmother. Now, there's someone to root for.

Andrew Rogers

Raynham, Mass.

PAGE 68

POINT AFTER

I've always been a fan of Steve Rushin's clever columns, but this time I don't agree with him that all athletes die twice. Every fan knows that the greatest players in sports live forever.

Jack W. Walker

Fort Worth

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ILLUSTRATION BY DARROW (DAILY FANTASY)

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JASON LEE (ROWING ILLUSTRATION)

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JEFF JACOBSEN FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (HOUSTON)

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