Letters To The Editor

Get a grip, America

I have viewed the totally unacceptable behavior of coach Bobby Knight on many occasions. I have viewed the totally unacceptable behavior of our youth on school campuses and in other public arenas on many occasions.

I have viewed the totally unacceptable behavior of professional and college athletes on many occasions. I have viewed the totally unacceptable behavior of fans, young and old, on many occasions. I have viewed totally unacceptable behavior from coaches, owners, staff, etc., on many occasions.

Don’t you think it’s about time that everyone associated with sports, including followers, get a grip on reality and put this activity in its true perspective? It’s about time the media that feed on this activity and its sensationalism along with the rest of the country remember what you were taught when you were learning sports.

It’s just a game.

I have watched sports mania take over this country like a creeping plague and all of us should find this totally unacceptable.

Remember Bobby, it has always been nothing but a game. James Nelson Spokane

Local NFL kicker overlooked

I was very disappointed that your NFL headline on page C4 (Sept. 4) was “Ravens flying high” when Mead High product Jason Hanson kicked five field goals in the Detroit Lions’ win over the Redskins. One of the field goals was for 54 yards.

He scored all the points and yet just a short mention in the roundup. Don’t you think the local readers would like to have better follow-up on Spokane players that make it in the pros? Rita Pecka Spokane

Gruden a world-class frowner

If Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden could coach as well as he frowns, he would be the most successful coach in the NFL. Wm. J. Hiatt Spokane

Spokane fans too cheap

Bob Sheehan’s Sept. 10 letter (“What’s with the empty seats?”) was poignant and to the point. I will not debate but try to educate him on this issue since he is from Bothell and doesn’t get out much.

What he has to understand is this area is Loserville, a five-dollar-an-hour area with the same mentality. People would rather shoot a pile of hay and skin it out than support an athletic team.

Do you think people in this area would support Triple-A baseball? How about pro hockey, CFL/Arena football? Let alone Washington State football. Not unless they could cut out a coupon off a milk carton and get in free. Ed Ellenz Spokane

S-R sports staff

Sports editor: Jeff Jordan Assistant sports editors: Joe Palmquist, Gil Hulse Design editor: Geoff Pinnock Copy editors: David Oriard, Jim Price Outdoors editor: Rich Landers Columnist: John Blanchette Reporters: Steve Bergum, Chris Derrick, Hilary Kraus, Greg Lee, Janie McCauley, Jim Meehan, Carter Strickland, Dave Trimmer, Mike Vlahovich, Dan Weaver Stats desk: Kory Boatman, Brandon Loucks Contributors: Fenton Roskelley, Chuck Stewart, Jeff Finke, Paul Delaney.

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We welcome letters of up to 300 words on all sports and outdoors topics. All letters are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one letter a month. 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, Spokane 99201, or fax to (509) 459-5098, or e-mail to sports@spokesman.com.