19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

AFC VS. NFC
Sir:
I found Joe Marshall's story on the superiority of the American Football Conference (Vince, You Wouldn't Believe It. Nov. 21) pretty ridiculous. I'm sure I could make as strong a case for the NFC. I would simply start with Walter Payton. Then I would mention that Seattle ( AFC) traded a first-round draft choice to the Dallas Cowboys (NFC), who picked Tony Dorsett. The leading passer in all of pro football is Pat Haden (NFC). Second is Roger Staubach (NFC). Jim Hart (NFC) is ahead of Steve Grogan and Ken Anderson. Baltimore, led by NFLers John Unitas and Earl Morrall, won the Super Bowl before Bert Jones was drafted.

I'll accept AFL superiority when you discount Cleveland. Baltimore and Pittsburgh wins. By the way, Joe Greene and L. C. Greenwood came from the NFL.
J. P. FERRARA
Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Sir:
Is this magazine supposed to be objective, or do we have to contend with the subjectivity of Joe Marshall?
TIM MARSH
Parkesburg, Pa.

Sir:
Now that Joe Marshall is through butchering the NFC, let's look at something he conveniently forgot to include. In criticizing the inept scouting and drafting in the NFC, he somehow forgot lo mention that one of his "few exceptions"—Dallas—is probably the best team in pro football ( AFC or NFC) this year. So let the AFC run away with the NFC for now. What difference could it possibly make? The Cowboys will be wearing Super Bowl XII rings come January.
ARDELL SCHAEFFER
College Station. Texas

Sir:
After reading Joe Marshall's interesting and informative article on why the AFC dominates the NFL. I checked the week's NFC-AFC matchups. When I saw that a Dallas- Pittsburgh game was scheduled. I prepared to write you. telling how the underdog NFC team ( Dallas) beat one of the AFC's best ( Pittsburgh). However, the Steelers made one of the NFC's finest teams look bad by defeating the Cowboys 28-13. Moreover, in the other AFC-NFC game, the Browns easily beat the NFC Giants 21-7. I am truly apologetic for questioning the validity of Marshall's words.
ETHAN KLINGSBERG
Scarsdale. N.Y.

Sir:
Who cares if the AFC is better than the NFC? I am sure NFC owners don't mind eating humble pie as long as the AFC is paying for it. With merger payments continuing until 1987, the NFC can catch up and get fat at the same time. It seems as if the NFC is getting humiliated all the way to the bank.
RICHARD H. WILLIAMS
Norridge, Ill.

Sir:
After reading your article, it occurred to me that maybe Lamar Hunt should get together with the other AFC owners and form a separate league. They could even call it the American Football League, for lack of a better name. They should hire Al Davis as "czar" with a lifetime contract and negotiate their own TV contracts.

Then about three or four years down the road, they could invite the NFC in as a junior partner. Indemnification and territorial rights should be around $5 million per NFL team. Tit for tat!
SID LEVY
Denver

IN PURSUIT OF WOODY'S CAP
Sir:
In regard to your mention of the Oklahoma University "student trainer" who tried to steal Woody Hayes' cap (SCORECARD, NOV. 7), your facts were sketchy. I am not a trainer. I'm an equipment manager. Moreover, I was not actually trying to steal the cap when I got belted. Here's the story:

Chuck Lester, another manager, and I decided that Hayes' cap would make an interesting piece of memorabilia for Coach Barry Switzer to have in his office. After the game I spotted our coveted prize and made a bee-line for it, but Hayes was flanked by two Ohio State warriors who looked none too happy about their close loss to the mighty Big Red. At that point I also realized that I was carrying a chalkboard, which would surely hamper my quickness, speed and agility. Still, I pressed on. At point-blank range, with hand poised to make the snatch, however, I reconsidered my disadvantages. I also remembered that such an act would not be in keeping with the class that Oklahoma football is noted for, so I decided to offer my hand to Coach Hayes instead. I quickly covered with, "Heck of a game, Coach Hayes." He replied, "Get the hell outta my way!" and stopped me short of the first down, so to speak.