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Nov. 28, 1995
Bullets merchandise giveaway off target
The Washington Bullets are having a contest to pick a new name for the
franchise. "Bullets" is out because of the negative connotation of violence.
Among the prizes being offered in the contest are ... Bullets hats and
T-shirts.
Now correct me if I'm wrong, but if the idea is to move away from "Bullets," why reward the people who help you do that with goodies plastered with the
old name on them?
Trying to avoid a fire sale of the old junk when the new
name is implemented? It's kind of like going to the dentist and being given
a chocolate bar to celebrate no cavities.
Matt Eliot
Bethesda, Md.
Keep the teams, move the owners
How long do you think that the NFL is going to let this musical city
masquerade go on? Cleveland, Houston, Phoenix and Tampa have been
complaining for months that they can't survive in their current domiciles. I
have the solution, and for $29.95 the owners of said franchises can have my
well-researched and detailed report on "How To Save Your Franchise."
As an
enticement to purchase I'll give a small snippet as to the content of the
report. Win.
Amazing as it seems, that's all it takes. Stop yapping about
fan support, no one is taking a family of four to an NFL game for $145.00 to watch them lose for the 10th time in 11 games.
If the NFL wants to keep
the teams where they are, get rid of the idiot owners. Bill Bidwell, Bud Adams, and
whomever owns Tampa Bay this week, I think it's Malcolm Glazer, need to move as far
away from NFL ownership as possible. Money doesn't cure ignorance fellas, try
hiring someone who doesn't take advice from Mel Kiper Jr. the week of the NFL
Draft to decide their future.
By the way, the Cincinnati Browns-Baltimore Bengals idea is as stupid
as the Tampa Bay Manta/Devil Ray name idea was. Tagliabue should have given
Baltimore a team during expansion, not Jacksonville, formerly known as the
first city in Florida on Interstate 95.
Now you are going to have to sit and
watch as Baltimore takes your money, and eventually NBC's "Also-ran Football
Conference" dollars with it. I say, enjoy ... you deserve it.
Dave Carroll
Baltimore
Nov. 27, 1995
Just play the game
As an avid sports fan, I feel there is a need to address an issue that has recently gotten out of hand. I'm talking about the issue of sportsmanship in college and professional sports.
I am greatly disturbed by what I am seeing from athletes these days as far as what they think passes for good sportsmanship. After a special teams player lays out a kick returner, what is the first thing he does? You guessed it: rip off his helmet and find the nearest camera. Where is that same act when he misses a tackle? Since it is the player's job to make that tackle, why does he believe doing his job deserves a close-up?
Why do college and professional basketball players feel it necessary to "talk trash" when they make a shot or two? Isn't to make those shots their job? Are they there to score points or give a lecture?
True, there have been measures (designed) to curb this behavior to a point, but I still think more needs to be done. Is this the type of attitude we want the young athletes of America to portray? I think not. The essence of sports is not how you look when playing, but rather the spirit of competition. I see nothing wrong with the show of emotion as long as it is in a positive way.
I have a suggestion to all the athletes (for) the next time they feel the need to strut for a camera. Instead of making a fool of yourself, remember why you are out there in the first place. Act like you've been there before.
Michael Reilly
Louisville, Ky.
Go Big Red
Hooray for Michigan! Now all the pseudo-experts can stop mouthing about how great Ohio State is and how they are better than Nebraska.
Last year it was Penn State who limped to a victory in the Rose Bowl over Oregon. Nebraska would crush Ohio State, and the Buckeyes should be thankful that they got beaten by Michigan and didn't have to face a beating by Nebraska.
John Hornman
Seattle, Wash.
Praise for The Pony
I'd like to thank Craig James for the solid endorsement of Virginia Tech for (a berth in) the Sugar Bowl after Syracuse's loss to Miami (Saturday) night. Whether the Hokies are actually invited to the Sugar or not, it is precisely this kind of positive media support for which we Hokies fans have been clamoring.
Certainly, based on the head-to-head results, ranking, and record, Virginia Tech is more deserving than Miami of the Alliance Bowl bid. The Sugar would be a big boost to our program.
We appreciate your support, Craig!
Stephen Skripak
Novi, Mich.
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