Letters

Marcus Houston is not only what's good about sports but also what's good about life.
—RYAN LONG, Ellwood City, Pa.

Quarterback Coaches
Kurt Warner's success is more proof that a quarterback's greatest asset isn't necessarily his height, his size, his arm or his speed, but what's between his ears (Well Armed, Oct. 9). It's interesting to note that two of the top quarterbacks in the NFC, Warner and Jeff Garcia, both honed their skills in so-called inferior leagues. I wonder how many potentially great, intelligent quarterbacks have been overlooked in the last decade because they lacked the prototypical physical traits that the NFL demands.
JASON SCHROEDER, Edmonton

Warner's surpassing some of Dan Marino's records won't make us forget Marino's accomplishments. It will make us appreciate them even more.
JOSH FRIDAY, Rockford, Ill.

I think comparisons of Warner to Marino, the greatest quarterback of all time, would be best saved for an issue in 2008. If Warner can keep up his pace for the next eight years, then we can start using his name in the same breath with Marino's. I guess you figured you'd better write the story before Kurt's carriage turned into a pumpkin and Rams fans put their Warner jerseys back in the closet and started to wear their Mark McGwire stuff again.
GREG DUERR, Calgary, Alberta

The Rap on Iverson
Thanks for running the lyrics to 40 Bars in the Oct. 9 issue (SCORECARD). Without having seen it in print, I would never have believed that one of our multimillionaire superstars could sink to that level. Allen Iverson, despite his talents, should not be provided with a forum to present such a message to young people. Major League Baseball took action against John Rocker for remarks that were not as offensive as the lyrics by Iverson, who stands to profit, as Rocker did not, from his words. It's time the NBA showed some courage and took substantial disciplinary action against Iverson.
JOE WALDEN, Clovis, Calif.

Where's the outrage, where's the outcry, where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton threatening boycotts, staging protests and demanding Iverson's suspension from the NBA? If I understand this correctly, dangerous lyrics including racial slurs are O.K. as long as they are the "artistic expression" of an NBA star. What a sad and hypocritical double standard.
WILLIAM CHIVERS, Titusville, Fla.

Steve Rushin's critique of Iverson's profanity-laced gangsta tirade is right on the money (AIR AND SPACE, Oct. 23). While Iverson's experiences with racism and violence in high school have been well documented, his rant rings hollow. Iverson has the potential to speak to millions of youngsters. Surely he could produce something more constructive.
JASON DILLON, Sebastopol, Calif.

I agree that Iverson's lyrics are irresponsible and disuniting. Even more disturbing, though, is Rushin's mocking use of language and terms commonly used in rap and hip-hop culture. Since Rushin is a white male (as I am), I'm sure there will be a lot of offended readers.
DAVE HORSMAN, Minneapolis

Mad about Marcus
It amazes me that someone the age of Marcus Houston has fought for and accomplished things in areas that most kids do not even think about (Too Good to Be True, Oct. 9). It's nice to see that some athletes channel their energy to promote human rights rather than to create absurd rap lyrics.
ANDY LORINO, Austin

Watching Warner's Back
How could SI let a so-called expert like Peter King write an article about the success of the Rams' offense with no mention of their offensive line? Orlando Pace, Tom Nutten, Andy McCollum, Adam Timmerman and Ryan Tucker, along with Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Marshall Faulk, make Warner a fortunate man.
CHRIS WELLNER, Butler, Pa.