Letters

Love-Hate Relationship
I enjoyed your year-end article about the superfans around the country and what drives their passions for their respective teams (Endless Love, Dec. 25-Jan. 1). I was, however, disgusted to read about the man in Florida who paid $650,000 for a customized bus so that his spoiled little boy could attend Miami Heat games without having to suffer through the discomfort of a 90-minute ride from Palm Beach. After reading all the snippets on the other fanatics, I'm left wondering how purchasing a bus and hiring a driver constitutes being a superfan?
JOHN WILLIAMS, Clarkston, Mich.

Instead of idolizing pro athletes, we should be praising fans like the South Stands folks in Mile High Stadium (The Mile High Club). They have more character and dedication than most pros.
DAVID REYNOLDS, Beverly, Mass.

Imagine my surprise to find out that the Bronco Bunny stopped going to games at Mile High Stadium because her husband, my dad, had passed away. My parents now reside in Topeka, Kans. They still watch Broncos games whenever they are broadcast in their area. My mom still has the Bronco Bunny suit, the Broncos van and a great deal of other Broncos paraphernalia.
TAMMIE FOSTER, Thornton, Colo.

The athletes' poll ranked Raiders fans as the stupidest in the NFL (Field Notes). This just shows that the voters are intimidated. Loud and proud we are; stupid we are not!
DAVID M. PARKINSON, Tiburon, Calif.

It's appropriate that Chris Rock is on the cover of your issue dedicated to the fan. One needs to make the kind of money Rock does in order to be one these days. Cover idea for next year? Bill Gates, Ultimate Fan!
JOHN PASSANTINO, Sanford, N.C.

I guess a famous face like Rock's sells more magazines than the faces of real fans such as Kathryn Harding and Victor Marquez would.
MIKE HOFFMAN, Indiana, Pa.

Flip Side of Free Agency
In the Dec. 25-Jan. 1 issue Peter King writes in his INSIDE THE NFL column that "the road is littered with ambitious teams that erred big time in free agency." Did he forget about the Packers' signing of Reggie White, the Cowboys' signing of Deion Sanders and the Jets' signing of Curtis Martin? Each of these players led his team to either a conference championship game or the Super Bowl.
BRET DANOW, New York City

The Spirit of Christmas
Thanks to Rick Reilly for It's the Thought That Counts (THE LIFE OF REILLY, Dec. 25-Jan. l). I know we didn't marry the same woman, but after reading the article, I thought that maybe his wife and mine were identical twins separated at birth. I not only shared the article with my wife, but, as the pastor of a church, I intend to make it mandatory reading for future husbands and wives in my premarriage seminars.
JAMES R. HUEBNER, Milwaukee

I love a man "who continues to harbor a belief that he'll be discovered by a major league scout, even at 42." Unfortunately, I keep choosing ones who gave up long ago.
LISA HIGGINS, Bellevue, Wash.

Some people would say that expressing heart-felt emotions for your wife in truly beautiful article is a best gift you can give. I'd say you're cheap.
MICHAEL BARBOZA, Clearwater, Fla.