Sunday letters

Don’t apologize for passion

I’m very glad to see a very balanced review of the Richard Sherman situation.

The details are presented in a more level way than is common that neither blames nor credits Sherman to any great degree, though it does favor Sherman.

However, the points that Sherman’s speech was indeed a “tirade” and that he could have said things differently show some admittance of guilt. Again, I like the balance. Most of the things I have seen or read either praises him beyond reason or slam him so badly that even 49er fans might feel a little sympathetic.

I still hold to my belief, and agree with Larry Stone (Jan. 23), that while Sherman may not have said the best things, that passion should not be apologized for.

Lucas O’Neil

Mead

Fans take care of GU women

As season ticket holders for several amazing successful basketball seasons for the Lady Zags, the point made by Carol McVicker (Letters, Jan. 26) was well stated. 

In addition to the lack of media coverage, please note that our team is well supported by nearly sold-out crowds.  It is these loyal fans that can be heard loudly responding to many exciting plays. 

So please think about this major observation: These fans are not part of a Kennel Club.  The Kennel Club is not a major part of the Lady Zags. The excitement and the Zags spirit is provided by plain old (yes, many of us are older individuals) fans who value and love good basketball. So even with the lack of media coverage, the McCarthy Center is one crazy place to go and be part of this team’s outstanding season.

We’ve got you covered, girls.

Liz Hively

Deer Park

Snap count a missed opportunity

Football season is closing with today’s Super Bowl. You will see Peyton Manning after the huddle waving his arms like a gooney bird and yelling, “Omaha, Omaha.”

I am shocked. Why is he not bellowing out “Coors beer” or at least “Denver” to bring some advertising to the home folks?

Come to think of it, why not snap count advertising? Let’s look at the local possibilities. Whitworth, Eastern and our high school quarterbacks could be barking out “Dottie’s Discount Jewelry,” “Huppins,” “Mor Furniture,” “Dick’s Hamburgers,” or the skinny dark-haired girl’s company who tries to sell you a  mattress every 15 minutes on TV. Think of the value of subsidizing our school budgets through our football quarterbacks’ mouths. If the Seahawks can raise the 12th Man flag and make millions from that sort of ceremony, why not flood the red field at Eastern, the Pine Bowl and Albi Stadium with the sounds of local business names?

This plan certainly beats waving misspelled cardboard signs from the bleachers. 

Jock Swanstrom

Spokane Valley

Athletes already getting paid … a lot

Let me understand this: These athletes get full-ride scholarships to college. At Northwestern, it appears to be approximately $250,000. And now the athletes want to be represented by a labor union and even get paid.

It appears that the United Steelworkers are going to foot the legal fees for this effort. Evidently the athletes want a “percentage” of the monies because the school jerseys are being sold. And gee, the NCAA and Big Ten Conference have rules … which as athletes, we don’t like.

You have to be kidding me.

You are already getting a percentage of profits. It is called a full-ride scholarship. How many regular Joes earn $60,000-plus a year?

And the regular Joe has to pay taxes.

Anita King

Newport