Voice of the Fan

Sporting News, The, Feb 28, 2000

Choice voice do `Why do the Rockers of the world take away from the Kwame Harrises when it comes to sports?'

--Cindy Broam Manheim, Pa.

Class act

As a Division I coach, I read the Kwame Harris article with chills (TSN, February 14). What a fantastic story of an athlete who does not find his hue significance on the field of competition. By selecting from what the world has to offer him intellectually and musically, this renaissance man has set himself up for success regardless of his career on the gridiron. Other athletes, bent on proving their manhood on the field of competition, set themselves up for eventual failure, as success is never guaranteed at the end of a game. Good luck to you, Kwame Harris. We hope to see you on Sunday afternoons and later on Friday nights at the symphony.

Chris Willis Assistant volleyball coach, Southwest Missouri State Springfield, Mo.

Michael Bradley's article about Stanford-bound offensive lineman Kwame Harris really opened my eyes about the recruiting process. When these schools and coaches fawn all over these players, it can be just as stressful to the kids as it is exciting and flattering. Programs seem to look at these blue chips solely as players who will benefit their programs, not as good people and students. Harris seems to be all of these things, and I hope he has found his niche on the West Coast. The world of college football is big business, and it all rests on the shoulders of players who are still just kids that are as old as I am. I never realized that until reading this article.

Jake Serafini Charleston, Ill.

A lasting impression

I have been a Redskins fan all of my life. I have always hated the Cowboys. But Tom Landry was a different story (TSN, February 21). I respected him more than any other coach, even more than the beloved Joe Gibbs. He was the consummate coach. His passing will leave a great void. Not only in the football world but the whole world. He was a great human being.

Claude Henry Princeton, W. Va

Perfect placement

Ken Griffey gets to play where he wants, Seattle gets four players and everybody's happy, right (TSN, February 21)? As a long-time Mariners fan, I sure am. Sure, they didn't get anywhere near market value for him, but just to be rid of someone who constantly criticized the Mariners' organization over the past four years is welcomed.

KC McNally Salem, Ore.

Super Coverage

That was a great approach you took on Super Bowl coverage (TSN, February 7). It's tough when you have to deal with the time element like that-kind of yesterday's news-but examining NFL balance, TV's stake, etc, gave it a fresh, informative angle. It really was interesting. Ditto for the closeup on Fred Miller-Jevon Kearse. I've noticed you've done a good job in the past in those situations, too. Doing the little things is what keeps readers.

Michael J. O'Connor Cincinnati

Right on

Mike DeCourcy's article on UNC hoops Was right on the money (TSN, January 31). The Heels need some new blood at the top. How about Charleston coach John Kresse? He is younger and energetic and has done a fantastic job at a small school with limited resources.

Steve Weller Sarasota, Fla.

Firing back

When Dave Kindred gave his opinion on the John Rocker controversy (TSN, February 14), it generated about as much reaction from readers as Rocker's initial comments.

"Is it any less racist or offensive to refer to a group of people as rednecks than it was for Rocker to make his most recent idiotic statements?" writes Kevin Cahill of Northlake, III. "Come on, Kindred, practice what you preach."

Randall Schau of Portage, Mich., writes, "Kindred's article about Rocker was even more inane than the comments Rocker made. The whole Rocker controversy has been I percent what Rocker said and 99 percent the politically correct crowd's reaction to it. And though Kindred argues Rocker should be ignored, he declined to rip Bud Selig's incredibly harsh suspension."

Though Kindred took a lot of heat, he also had some supporters, such as Rick Vogt of Youngstown, Ohio.

"Again, Kindred has aced the 18th hole of your magazine," writes Vogt. "His piece on Rocker echoes my feelings exactly since this buffoon burst into the national spotlight. Rocker's salty comments have sparked endless debate on radio, TV and in print. Kindred simply states how most Americans feel: Who cares?"

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