19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

VERMEIL'S BURNOUT
Sir:
I commend Gary Smith on his well presented and thoroughly documented article on former NFL Coach Dick Vermeil {A New Life, March 28). Sensitivity was certainly evident throughout those 12 pages of reporting on one of football's most successful coaches—and when I say that Vermeil was successful, I don't mean that strictly from a won-lost perspective. Many people are quick to criticize those who fall from what they perceive to be success, and therefore they never really acquire a genuine understanding of the total person.

My hat is off to Vermeil for striving to achieve a level of dedication, industry and perseverance that should serve as a standard. I wish him much success in his "new life."
KENNETH J. BERNABE
West Orange, N.J.

Sir:
Thank you very much for bringing the story of Dick Vermeil to your readers. It was a tremendous article written about a tremendous coach. What really struck me was how closely Coach Vermeil's life seems to parallel the life of another man I admire greatly: my father. When I read the stories about Vermeil's family, I felt I could almost put myself right into the picture. I want my father to read this article—if I can ever get him to stop working long enough to sit down and read!
CHAD WELLESLEY PERCY
Fork Union, Va.

Sir:
Many thanks for Gary Smith's timely insight into Dick Vermeil. It raises a question concerning achievement at any cost that many participants must answer in today's world of sports: What is the reward?

I hope that Vermeil will abandon his contorted perspective and begin to focus on the lasting values of sport: recreation, enjoyment and balanced character development. If I may paraphrase someone who had a good hold on life's values: "What shall it profit a man if he wins the Super Bowl but loses himself?"
HARRY C. BEAMER JR.
Cedar Lake, Ind.

Sir:
Has Dick Vermeil really and permanently changed, or is he just taking an extended vacation from coaching? I hope he has changed, but I have my doubts, particularly when he states: "I already feel so good I could start [coaching! tomorrow."

The compulsion to work is obviously a trait so ingrained in him that I wonder if he will be able to help himself. Major changes in personality do not happen rapidly. For his sake, I hope he stays away from pro football long enough to think things out completely and thoroughly. Maybe you can give us periodic progress reports—as a sort of case study that would be of value to all of us who are engaged in high-demand occupations.
DAVID S. NELSON
Santa Rosa, Calif.

Sir:
The article on Dick Vermeil was outstanding. He helped put Philadelphia back on the map. He gave new meaning to the word love, as in The City of Brotherly Love. We will miss him dearly. We are also left with one major concern: that he will return to coaching and kick the Eagles' "butts"—one of his favorite expressions—from the opposing sideline.
DAVID F. DOWNEY
Philadelphia

Sir:
While Gary Smith and other members of the sports media have correctly heaped praise upon Dick Vermeil for taking a mediocre team to the Super Bowl in five years, it is a wonder to me that Vermeil has received so little blame for his team's return to mediocrity, which has been accomplished in only two short years. Considering the record of his last Eagle team (3-6), it is likely that a less charismatic and less popular coach would be branded a quitter instead of a victim of burnout. The difference in terms is meaningless to Eagle fans like myself who, in recent years, have mercilessly booed Vermeil for his play-calling and his choice of quarterbacks. I wish Vermeil all the luck in the world, but if he does return to coaching, may it be somewhere else—preferably Dallas.
ANDY SMUKLER
Philadelphia

LUNDQUIST'S KIND OF DRIVE
Sir:
I always wondered how a chubby guy named Jack Nicklaus could come out of the long-wintered North with a flying right elbow and a middling short game and turn golf's record book into his own biography. After reading Craig Neff's article on world-record swimmer Steve Lundquist (Leapin' Lizards, It's Lunk, March 28), I think I know. Jack had spizzerinctum!
JAMES P. JOHNSTON
Wauneta, Neb.