Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Give and Take: Sunday letters

AFL needs better refs

Lots of Shock fans have been shaking their heads over the  penalty calls in the officiating crew this season. I can’t claim to be an official, but in the game against the Outlaws, I saw a face mask, horse collar, and calling interference when the opposition team ran ahead of our player then stopped. There was even an Outlaw who consistently lined up out of the box and was never called on it; and the line judge was standing no more than 15 feet away.   

My husband talked – yes, talked, not yelled – a little with the line judge, asking why he was missing some of the calls, including when a Shock player was called for a penalty that didn’t seem to apply to the Outlaws.  The line judge stated “Oh, that’s all right … for this week.” 

It’s really sad when many of our fans know the rules better than the refs do.

How do we explain to our kids about fair play and the importance of rules in a competition when adults can’t even do that?

Linda Fifer Coeur d’Alene

Serena underplayed

Your slip is showing.

How can it be that Serena Williams, one of the greatest athletes of our time, wins a landmark major – her 20th Grand Slam at the French Open – and news of this is buried on page 6 of the sports section?

It matters! It matters for American sports, for women, and, because #blacklivesmatter.

Robin Rothrock

Cheney

LeBron refreshing

In light of today’s shadowy professional sports teams for both men and women events, how refreshing was it to see LeBron James walk over, earnestly shake the hand of his opposing teammate Stephen Curry and the coaching staff to offer his congratulations at the NBA Finals this week.

Talk about genuine sportsmanship! What a class act for this high-profile player to exhibit such a powerful message that even with all his personal sacrifices, all his exhausting workouts in preparation for the finals as well as his self-imposed determination to bring that trophy to his hometown, that elusive “W” is not exclusively the validation of life’s successfulness.

Although his team did not bring home the banner this year, he has already made a lasting impression as a father to his children as well as a dignified warrior to his fans and most significantly, a tremendous ambassador for the game of basketball.

With time, we will most likely never remember the numbers on the scoreboard but his gestures after the game will remain with us. He will respectfully be referred to as our King both on and off the court.

Thanks for the awesome season, No. 23. Can’t wait until next year.

Liz Morig

Spokane

Letters policy

We welcome letters of up to 200 words on all sports and outdoors topics. All letters are subject to editing.

Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days. Please include your signature, street address and telephone number where you can be reached for verification.

Send to: Letters to the Sports Editor, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201, or fax to (509) 744-5655, or email to sports@spokesman.com.